Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 229: A Heartless Father

Chapter 229: A Heartless Father

If it weren’t for the interests of the Carter Group, Sean wouldn’t have bothered visiting this "wretched girl." In fact, if she had died, it would have been better—the shares of the Carter Group could be reclaimed.

"Ella, Mr. Nelson, I heard that the shooter has been captured. The world is really unsafe these days. Ella, you should be extra careful. Mr. Nelson seems to have caught someone’s attention, and danger could be lurking anywhere," Leah said with false concern, her tone dripping with insincerity.

Sean let out a cold snort but said nothing further.

"Don’t worry," Ella replied with a smile. "If I get to be with Mr. Nelson, I’d gladly die for it." Her words were playful, and Eric lightly tapped her on the head, his eyes full of affection.

"Ella, stop talking nonsense!" Eric said, his voice warm but firm.

Ella bit her lip, her smile sweet, and Leah could barely hide her jealousy. The bond between them was something Leah could never touch.

"Ella, my grandfather’s birthday is next Wednesday. We’d love for you to join us at the celebration," Leah quickly interrupted, hoping to break the sweet connection between Ella and Eric.

Ella raised an eyebrow and smiled sarcastically, slicing the apple in half with one swift motion. "Why would I go? I’m sure Old Mr. Carter would rather not see me."

"Nonsense, my grandfather likes you very much. He was just praising how smart you are, but he’s too shy to say it in front of you," Leah’s expression shifted slightly, but she quickly recovered.

Old Mr. Carter, being the cunning old fox he was, didn’t reveal much emotion. He glanced at Ella with the same cold detachment as if she were a stranger, someone irrelevant.

"Mr. Nelson, you should come too," Old Mr. Carter said flatly, his tone as neutral as ever.

Eric chuckled softly, his demeanor lazy but his eyes sharp with sarcasm. "I’m not sure it would be appropriate for someone like me, who’s been through life and death, to attend. What if my bad luck rubs off on you, Old Mr. Carter?"

Ella couldn’t help but feel elated by Eric’s biting sarcasm. His remark was so delightfully ruthless.

Sean’s face darkened slightly. "Mr. Nelson, you are fortunate to have survived, as the saying goes, ’What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’ There’s no need to be so self-deprecating."

Ella stepped in, her tone calm, "Since Old Mr. Carter is so gracious, I’ll be sure to attend."

Leah was visibly shocked. She had expected Ella to refuse, given how Sean had always treated her with such disregard despite being her grandfather. He had never seen her as a true granddaughter.

Old Mr. Carter nodded slightly, not dwelling on the matter. "Since Miss Davis has agreed, that settles it for both of you. We’ll be leaving now, to give Mr. Nelson some rest."

Eric’s lazy smile remained as captivating as ever. "Take care, Old Mr. Carter. At your age, it must be hard to make the trip. Be careful not to trip on your way out."

Ella burst out laughing at Eric’s cheeky remark.

Eric rarely spoke so sharply to the elderly, but Sean was different. In Ella’s eyes, Sean had no place of respect.

Sean’s expression shifted again, but he held his tongue. Leah, clinging to him, cast one last longing look at Eric before they left, both looking defeated.

As the door closed, Ella turned to the housekeeper, Mrs. Harris, and said, "Mrs. Harris, please take this fruit basket away. Feel free to share it with everyone, or toss it out. Either way, I don’t want it sitting here and being an eyesore."

Mrs. Harris nodded and promptly removed the basket.

Eric gently ran his fingers through Ella’s long, flowing hair, his eyes glinting with a soft smile. "So... I thought you didn’t like seeing him. Why do you want to go to his birthday party?"

Ella’s expression instantly turned cold, like ice. "If I’m not mistaken, that day is my mother’s death anniversary."

Eric’s face darkened. Sean really had no shame. To hold a birthday party on the day of his own daughter’s death anniversary was despicable.

While Sean had probably been doing this for years, the fact that he personally invited Ella felt like a cruel twist of the knife in her heart.

Although Ava (Ella’s grandmother) had cut ties with Isabella long ago, Sean showed no mercy toward his daughter. Even if she had died on his birthday, it meant nothing to him.

His actions made it clear that he had never truly seen Isabella as his daughter.

To outsiders, Sean’s behavior wasn’t surprising. He had long cut ties with his daughter, so it seemed natural for him to act without remorse. But Ella knew better—Grandma Carter had distanced them from the Carter Group to protect her and her mother from that toxic environment.

"What do you want to do when the time comes?" Eric asked in a low voice, anger simmering beneath the surface.

Ella tilted her head playfully and placed another slice of apple in Eric’s mouth. "My imagination is a bit limited. I haven’t thought of anything yet. Plus, taking care of you has made me lose so much hair! Why don’t you think of something for me?"

The heavy atmosphere immediately lightened, warmed by Ella’s playful tone. Eric chuckled softly, his handsome face brightening.

"Thank you for everything, my dear queen," Eric said with a smile.

Ella had been taking care of him personally, from washing his face to helping him bathe. There was no way she would let a maid or nurse handle such intimate tasks, even if Eric was willing—she certainly wasn’t.

And each time she bathed him, Ella had been on edge, careful not to hurt him. His body was covered in injuries, and a wrong touch could reopen a wound. Every time she finished, she was left sweating from the tension.

"A verbal ’thank you’ doesn’t cut it!" Ella teased, her eyes twinkling.

"Alright then, how about a few kisses as my thanks?"

Ella’s cheeks flushed a deep red, and though they hadn’t flirted like this in a while, the moment felt lighthearted and sweet.

"Why can’t *I* kiss *you* instead?" Ella pouted, her heart racing. The excitement of this kind of flirty banter fades over time, so she made sure to cherish these moments while they still felt this way.

Eric sat upright, unable to lean back because of the wound on his back. But even in his position, he exuded a kind of regal elegance.

Ella glanced at him and couldn’t bear to see him move.

"I really can’t move... If I try, it either hurts here or there," Eric said, feigning helplessness as he gave her a pitiful look.

Ella sighed in mock exasperation and leaned in to give him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Here," Eric pointed to his lips, grinning mischievously.

Ella had no choice but to comply, leaning forward and gently kissing him on the lips.

Eric chuckled softly, his large hand cupping the back of her head. The kiss deepened, filling the air with sweetness, like the rich taste of chocolate. It was a moment that brought warmth and joy to both of them.

When the kiss ended, Ella fed him another slice of apple. "Eric, thank you for protecting me so well..." she whispered.