Filed to story: The Heiress Rises From Ashes Book PDF Free
She looked at the Barrett family with utter contempt and continued, “You want me to repay you for raising me? Haven’t I already done that with all the money I earned for you? Everything you enjoy-the big house, your luxury lifestyle-was funded by my hard work. I paid back any debt to you long ago.”
Shepard’s countenance drained of color as his anger surged. He fixed a cold gaze on the Barrett family and exclaimed, “Leave now! Your invitation was a courtesy due to your role in raising our daughter. However, your actions today reveal only your greed. Seeking more compensation? We already spared you the humiliation of a public dismissal earlier to preserve your dignity. Yet you dare to ask for more? How audacious!”
Giselle’s fury matched Shepard’s. She said, “Learning of the hardships our daughter endured with you is devastating. It was a gesture of goodwill that we haven’t sought vengeance or exposed you. Today’s invitation was an act of grace, acknowledging your past with Brenna. Don’t mistake our kindness for weakness. The networking opportunities you’ve had today should be considered repayment. Our family owes you nothing now. You should leave.”
Alec’s temper flared instantly. Rising to his feet, he pointed accusingly at Shepard and shouted, “Is this the so-called dignity of the Harper family? We took Brenna in, raised her for twenty years, and invested so much in her upbringing. Do you even realize how much effort we put into shaping her? No matter how she was treated, her success today is because of us! Without our guidance, she wouldn’t be where she is now!”
His whole body shook with rage. He couldn’t accept Brenna’s lack of gratitude or the Harper family’s cold indifference toward his family. He had counted on them to elevate his family’s status, but now, that hope was gone. He had nothing to show for his efforts, and it infuriated him.
After a pause, he continued, “Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on. I witnessed her treating Vincent with my own eyes, and Ethan is clearly interested in her. She’ll marry him and gain influence. I know she even won two billion in horse racing! Every skill she possesses, we cultivated! Her skills in car design-recognized with international awards-that’s due to our efforts! You owe us for everything we’ve done. If you refuse to pay us anything, we’ll make sure everyone knows just how ungrateful the Harper family is!”
Shepard’s face turned dark. He stepped forward, grabbed Alec by the collar, and shoved him toward the door. “Get out! You won’t see a single cent from us! My daughter suffered under your roof for years, and you have the audacity to demand money from us? Who do you think you are? Get out-all of you!”
Without hesitation, the Harper men stepped in, forcefully escorting the Barretts out without the slightest concern for appearances.
Ruby exclaimed, “What on earth are you doing? How dare you put your hands on us? If you so much as touch us, I’ll make sure everyone in Shirie sees your true colors!”
Alec roared in defiance, “This isn’t over! You’ll pay for this-we won’t stop until we get what we deserve!”
The Harper women stood firm, their expressions filled with disgust toward the Barrett family.
Standing beside Giselle, Jillian watched the scene unfold, her fury evident. She said, “I’ve never seen such a shameless family. It’s astonishing that Brenna managed to turn out well despite being raised in such an environment.”
Giselle, usually composed as a university professor, barely contained her anger. She said, “Our family will deal with them soon!”
She then gently took Brenna’s hand. “You’ve endured so much, my dear,” she said.
Brenna had never shared the full extent of the struggles she faced while studying abroad. She had only spoken about her part-time jobs and the friends she made, never mentioning how she had left home with nothing, facing unimaginable hardships alone.
The thought filled Giselle with sorrow.
Meanwhile, Rosie seized the opportunity to slip away unnoticed.
The Barretts were forcibly kicked out of the banquet hall. The younger Harper family members took it a step further, unleashing their fury with fists and kicks. Even Ernst, who had never particularly been fond of Brenna, joined in.
The most relentless was Dalton. Unconcerned about his celebrity status or the fact that onlookers might take photos, he attacked without restraint.
“Get lost!” Dalton spat, delivering a final kick to Mack. “Show your faces again, and we’ll make sure you regret it!”
Mack bore the brunt of the assault, limping away painfully, his face bruised and bloodied.
With no other choice, the three Barrett family members stumbled out, supporting one another as they made their way to the car. None of them noticed that Isabella was missing.
Rosie had been waiting for them, arms crossed, watching with barely concealed amusement. Unable to suppress her emotions, she let out a mocking chuckle.
Mack, still seething with resentment toward the Harper family, instinctively positioned himself in front of his parents. Though furious, he remained cautious around Rosie, aware that hidden bodyguards might be nearby. “What do you want?” he asked sharply.
Rosie smirked. “The Harper family was wrong to treat you that way. I’ve come to offer an apology on their behalf.” Despite her words, her tone was arrogant.
Alec grew even more furious. “What a joke! If you really cared, why didn’t you stop them earlier? Now you show up pretending to be kind? Get lost!”
Rosie, unimpressed by their lack of gratitude, slapped Alec across the face. “Don’t be foolish. I’m only here because I believe you’re still worth something. Keep insulting me, and I promise the Barrett family won’t survive in Shirie,” she said.
Mack stood there, glaring at Rosie. But as he considered her words, he caught a glimpse of something-was she actually offering them a lifeline?
He asked, “What’s your game? Our family is already on the verge of collapse. Business is nonexistent, and even the contracts we secured have been revoked. Are you saying you’ll help us?”
The Barretts doubted Rosie’s good intentions, firmly believing that every Harper family member harbored deep resentment toward them, wishing to see them destroyed. They were convinced that Rosie’s visit was not to help them but to further degrade them.
With malice, Ruby said, “You’re that cursed orphan whose existence caused her parents’ death!”
Rosie recoiled from these harsh words. Not one to ignore such insults and knowing the Barretts had already faced numerous hardships, she felt a direct confrontation wouldn’t significantly change their plight.
Decisively, she grabbed Mack and pulled him aside. Taken aback by Rosie’s assertiveness, Mack, already aching, lost his balance and stumbled to the side.
In the next moment, Rosie slapped Ruby multiple times, her face fierce with anger. “What right do you have to say something like that about me? Nobody has ever dared to insult me to my face!” she exclaimed.
Consumed by fury, Rosie recalled the painful memory of her parents’ fatal accident just after her birth-a car crash that claimed the lives of her parents and nanny, leaving her the lone survivor.
Sometimes, she tormented herself with the guilt of potentially bringing bad luck to her family, a notion that haunted her.
Her family’s prestigious social standing usually prevented such accusations from being voiced openly. But today, Ruby had said that.
In a rage, Rosie pinned Ruby down and struck her repeatedly, releasing her frustration until the physical pain in her hand forced her to stop.
Ruby’s screams echoed through the area, shocking the people in the hotel, yet the staff and security turned a blind eye, allowing Rosie to continue unchecked.
When Rosie finally stopped, she rose from where Ruby lay and shot a contemptuous glare at Alec and Mack, saying, “Cowards!”
Ruby, Alec’s wife and Mack’s mother, had just been severely beaten, yet neither of the men intervened.
Such behavior was truly reprehensible.
Perhaps Alec and Mack were too intimidated by Rosie’s fury, sparked by Ruby’s comments, to intervene.
At that moment, Mack, seething with anger, confronted Rosie. “Miss Harper, you’ve humiliated us today. Remember, a lot can change over time. I don’t believe the Harpers will always be on top.”