Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 173: Shamelessness

Chapter 173: Shamelessness

Leah wrinkled her nose in displeasure. To her, Ella was nothing more than a silly little girl, hardly worthy of being considered a rival.

But Eric was with her! Recently, Leah had tried various excuses to see Eric, but he always refused to meet with her.

"It seems that brat has some tricks up her sleeve, keeping Eric under her thumb. But... a man’s interest in a woman only lasts for so long. Once he’s tired of her, Ella, you’ll be in for a show."

Leah’s lips curled into a smug smile, imagining herself standing beside Eric, with Ella in utter misery.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Mrs. Carter, Evelyn, walked in and saw Leah lost in thought, clutching her phone.

"Dear, the sweet soup is ready. Come down and have some," Evelyn said warmly, linking her arm with Leah’s.

"Have you seen that brat lately?" Evelyn asked as they walked down the stairs.

"Only twice, Mommy. You can’t rush these things, or she’ll get annoyed with me," Leah replied with a smile, and they continued chatting as they headed to the dining room.

In the dining room, Frank and Leah’s younger brother Max were already enjoying the sweet soup. When they saw Leah, they both smiled.

"Leah, come sit and have some sweet soup. It’s good for your skin," Frank said with a smile. "Have you been in touch with Ella lately?"

"No, but I’ll give her a call later," Leah replied.

"Good. You mustn’t rush this. Take your time. She’s still far from turning twenty-five! In the meantime, you can keep her sweet. Fifteen percent of Carter Group’s shares will be ours," Frank said with a grin. "I don’t want to see Carter Group’s shares fall into the hands of outsiders!"

"Exactly! She won’t get a single penny from Carter Group!" Max chimed in with a dark chuckle.

This family was shameless to the extreme!

Back then, Ella’s Grandma Carter and her grandfather put in equal effort to establish Carter Group. Grandma Carter had even more on her plate, juggling both work and raising children.

Yet, they were plotting to take over Grandma Carter’s share as well.

Indeed, in this world, everyone looks out for themselves, even if it means forsaking others!

"Mom, Dad, don’t worry. Leave this to me. I’ll make sure to give you a satisfactory outcome! Besides, now that I’m back in the country, there aren’t any challenging projects worth my time. I’ll make sure that girl is entirely under my control within six months."

Leah was brimming with confidence, her pretty face glowing with a smile.

"Of course, I’m confident in you! My daughter can do anything! I’m looking forward to your good news!" Frank said, laughing joyfully. He was very pleased with his daughter.

Max, on the other hand, felt a bit disgruntled. He was only in his first year of college, with mediocre grades, a bad temper, and poor social skills.

Perhaps he had been spoiled too much as a child, and that’s why he lacked the qualities Leah had.

Hearing Frank praise his sister when he had never spoken to him with such approval, Max couldn’t help but feel a bit upset. But being a man, he couldn’t say much.

Ella was nearly asleep when Leah’s call came in.

On the other end, Leah spoke softly, laughing, and asked with great concern, "Ella, how have you been lately? I’ve been so busy with work that I haven’t had time to visit you. I’m really sorry!"

Ella’s sleepiness vanished, and next to her, Eric frowned in annoyance. It was already past eleven—Leah had called this late on purpose, hadn’t she?

"Miss Carter, you’re too polite. You’re not my mother, and you certainly aren’t anyone important to me. Why would it matter whether you see me or not?"

Ella spoke calmly, her disdain for Leah evident. In her previous life, Leah had been a persistent nuisance, hanging around far too long.

Back then, Ella had been too in love with Brandon, blindly following his lead, even to the point of handing over her Carter Group shares. Brandon had a huge appetite for power and had tricked her into giving up her shares, while also helping Robert and others steal Davis Group’s shares.

Thinking back, a mocking smile appeared on Ella’s lips.

Leah was momentarily taken aback by Ella’s blunt response. Forcing a smile, she said, "Ella, even though Grandma cut ties with Auntie, you’re still my cousin!"

"Miss Carter, I respect our departed elders, so I won’t go against their wishes. I’m sorry, but I can’t call you cousin. Also, it would be better if you stopped calling me. We really don’t have anything to talk about. After all, we’re not the same age—you’re seven or eight years older than me."

Ella’s words made Leah roll her eyes in frustration, her chest heaving as she struggled to contain her anger. "Ella, why are you speaking like this...? Even if we can’t be cousins, can’t we at least be ordinary friends?"

"Miss Carter, I need to rest. I have school tomorrow. Sorry, I’m hanging up now."

Ella, not wanting to waste any more words, hung up the phone immediately.

Eric let out a cold laugh. "The Carter Group people are really relentless!"

"They won’t let me go as long as I hold that 15% of Carter Group’s shares," Ella chuckled, but her eyes darkened with anger.

The way they treated Grandma Carter was despicable. Even though Grandma Carter pretended not to know, treating them like her own sons, not a single one of them cared for her in her old age!

Grandma Carter probably died from sheer anger, didn’t she?

"When Grandma Carter passed away... I was only four years old, and my mother had just died a year earlier. Losing her daughter, Grandma Carter must have been heartbroken and regretful, wishing she had secretly done more to support my mother..."

"Your Grandma Carter only wanted to protect you," Eric said, patting her shoulder. "Don’t dwell on it too much. Go to sleep. If you really can’t, we could..."

"No, no... I’m really tired. Goodnight!"

Ella quickly turned her back to Eric, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Eric gave a mischievous smile, deciding to let her off the hook for the night. After all, she had already worn herself out earlier.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, another week had passed.

With Brianna in jail and all the servants gone, Hannah was left alone in the large villa, feeling particularly bored and helpless.

Today, she tried calling Brandon again.

"I’m sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable."

That cold, mechanical voice echoed in her ear once more, infuriating Hannah so much that she threw her phone onto the sofa in frustration!

"Brandon, you’re avoiding me, even putting me on the blacklist... Why are you treating me like this? Can’t you even break up with me properly?"

Furious, Hannah stood up, grabbed her purse, and headed straight for S City No. 1 High School!

The scars on her face hadn’t faded. Back when she was with Mr. Taylor, Mrs. Taylor’s people had deliberately slashed her face several times.

The wounds were too deep. No matter how much money Hannah spent on treatments, the scars barely faded. Now, her face was horribly disfigured by those scars!