Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 137: A Hypocritical Woman

Chapter 137: A Hypocritical Woman

Ella’s Grandma Carter was once the driving force behind Carter Group, dominating the business world for years. However, her story ended tragically: her own daughter was poisoned, and her biological son was switched at birth and is now lost somewhere unknown.

The next day, around noon, Ella and Chloe were about to head out for lunch when they noticed a woman in a white dress standing under the large tree by the back door. The woman had a polished look, with an air of a strong, successful woman.

As soon as Leah saw Ella, she walked briskly towards them, blocking their path.

Chloe blinked, confused, as she looked at Ella. This woman in the white dress—she had never seen her before.

"Hello, cousin. I’m your cousin, Leah Carter. Are you heading out for lunch? How about I treat you both?" Leah’s eyes flashed with a hint of arrogance, but her smile was sweet and approachable.

Ella noticed that flash of arrogance and pressed her lips together. "Cousin? Since when did I have a cousin?"

She knew these people wouldn’t leave her alone.

And finding her here was the only way they could approach her directly. This Leah must be the woman Brian had mentioned—a woman with a sharp mind.

"Oh, I’m your uncle’s daughter. Doesn’t that make me your cousin?" Leah responded calmly, smiling as she enthusiastically took Ella’s hand and led her toward the restaurant across the street.

"I’ve heard the restaurant across the street is great. Let me treat you to a meal. Ella, don’t worry about the past—it’s not something I can control. I just want to have a meal with you, that’s all!"

Without giving her a choice, Leah pulled Ella toward the restaurant. Chloe frowned. Although the woman had the same last name as her, she didn’t like someone so pushy and domineering.

Ella found it a bit amusing, but she knew that refusing would only cause more trouble, so she followed Leah into the restaurant.

"Is your ’cousin’ really not up to something? Ella, you should be careful. This woman doesn’t seem simple," Chloe whispered into Ella’s ear.

Ella smiled. "Don’t worry, it’s just a meal."

Leah handed the menu to Ella. "Ella, go ahead and order. Pick whatever you like, don’t be shy!"

"Thank you," Ella replied, deliberately avoiding calling her "cousin." After all, Grandma Carter wanted her to sever ties with the Carter Group.

If her grandfather hadn’t treated Grandma Carter so badly, Grandma Carter probably wouldn’t have been so resolute, right?

"I’ll order!" Chloe said with a smile, snatching the menu and ordering the most expensive and best dishes, filling the table.

Ella watched Leah closely, noticing that her expression and eyes didn’t betray a hint of discomfort.

This woman was truly formidable.

Even though she clearly looked down on Ella and disapproved of Chloe’s behavior, she remained completely composed.

"Ella, it’s your turn to order. Since your cousin is treating us, pick whatever you like!" Chloe said cheerfully.

Ella shook her head. "Miss Carter, I believe Grandma Carter cut ties with my mother when she got married, and that was her wish. I won’t go against her wishes. So I can only address you as Miss Carter, and I hope you don’t mind."

Leah’s smile stiffened slightly. Despite her warm and friendly demeanor, Ella still managed to say something like that.

"No problem. Even if you don’t want to call me cousin, we can still be friends. Don’t be shy—order whatever you want."

Leah’s smile returned, and Ella faintly smiled back. "Miss Carter, I eat at this restaurant almost every day, so there’s nothing in particular I’m craving."

Despite being rebuffed multiple times, Leah remained calm and simply smiled. "Ella, Dad was just talking about you yesterday. He said your grades are excellent, always coming in first. It seems you’re on your way to becoming a strong woman yourself."

Ella pressed her lips together. "It doesn’t matter whether I become a powerful woman or not, as long as I’m happy."

Frank was indeed impressive, having even dug up information about her academic performance!

Sending Leah ahead to meet her was clearly just an attempt to play on emotions.

Just then, a group of boisterous boys walked in. Spotting Ella and Chloe, they came over to greet them.

One of them was a new transfer student but already quite close to Chloe—her childhood friend, Damien Sterling.

In her previous life, Damien had been good to Ella, a friend worth cherishing.

Damien glanced at Leah briefly. "You all enjoy your meal. I won’t interrupt. I’ll treat you to lunch tomorrow!"

"Great, Damien! I’ve been waiting for that meal for too long!" Chloe said with a light laugh, while Leah lifted her captivating eyes to take a look at Damien. "Ah, youth is wonderful. Seeing you all reminds me of my high school days!"

Leah, such an outstanding woman, loved to make her presence known. Unfortunately for her, Damien merely gave her a passing glance before warmly inviting Ella, "Ella, do you have time tonight? Want to go sing karaoke?"

"Karaoke? I really like that too. Ella, how about it?" Leah quickly seized the opportunity to ingratiate herself with Ella.

"Sorry, but I didn’t invite you, did I? It’s a classmate gathering, and having a stranger there would make me uncomfortable," Damien said bluntly.

The boys around them burst into laughter. "Damien, how can you be so stingy? The goddess wants to hang out with you, and you’re being so cruel by rejecting her!"

Damien let out a snort and winked at Ella. "Ella, Chloe, I’m waiting for your answer!" With that, he turned and joined the table of boys nearby.

Leah’s expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure with an awkward smile.

Ella couldn’t help but admire Leah’s ability to keep her emotions in check. Damien had clearly noticed Chloe’s dislike for Leah and purposely made things difficult for her.

Just then, the food was served, filling the table with delicious dishes.

However, Leah, who was used to dining at high-end restaurants, looked down on this small eatery. Still, she picked up the utensils and cheerfully placed some salad on Ella’s plate.

"Ella, this salad looks nice. You should try it!"

She forced a smile, but Ella’s eyes remained cool and indifferent. "Thank you, Miss Carter, but I don’t like others serving me."

For every attempt Leah made to be friendly, Ella responded with rejection.

Even the most patient person would feel embarrassed and angry by now, but Leah’s smile only grew brighter. "Oh, I see. I’ll be sure not to be too enthusiastic in the future."

Chloe couldn’t help but smirk. "In the future?" It seemed Leah planned to cling to Ella for a while!

Ella kept her head down, eating quietly without engaging in much conversation. When Leah tried to make small talk, Ella responded with only a word or two.

After an uneventful lunch, Ella and Chloe thanked Leah and headed back to school.

Leah calmly turned and got into her car. Once the door was closed, the slight smile on her lips turned into a severe frown.

"She’s such a difficult person to deal with! Does she think she’s some kind of princess? Ugh! Just like that old hag, a worthless nobody!"

Once back in the car, Leah’s demeanor completely changed, sneering as she insulted Ella. "If it weren’t for reclaiming the shares that old hag carelessly gave away, I wouldn’t even bother sitting with that wretched girl!"

After venting her frustration, Leah felt slightly better.

But then she recalled the young man in the restaurant, and her eyes grew cold.

She pulled out her phone and called her assistant. "Look into Damien Sterling and Chloe Carter from S City High School. I want to know exactly who they are!"