Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 355: He’s Back

Chapter 355: He’s Back

"I understand. I’ll be right back," Eric said softly, then hung up the phone.

Mrs. Harris set down the landline with a slight shake of her head. "Young people these days just don’t have the patience we used to."

Mrs. Harris considered waking Ella, but she was sound asleep, likely due to exhaustion from not resting properly for so long.

Meanwhile, Eric sat in the car, his face set in determination. "Drive faster," he instructed the driver. "If we get a ticket, it’s on me."

The driver, not daring to disobey, nodded and accelerated towards the seaside villa.

Eric couldn’t shake the worry gnawing at him. She’d been fine last he saw her—so when did she get drunk? Was it last night, or had it lasted all this time?

If she’d been drinking since last night, it was possible she was facing alcohol poisoning. Eric’s heart tightened at the thought. He regretted leaving Country S for Country W, though retrieving a few strands of Lucas’s hair had provided some satisfaction.

"Drive faster," he commanded coldly, sensing the car still wasn’t picking up speed.

The driver, now sweating, had to navigate heavy morning traffic. Fortunately, they’d soon reach the coastal road, which was typically clear. The villa’s secluded location in a residential area without nearby commercial or industrial zones made it a desirable place to live. Many wealthy buyers hoped to bid on the remaining four villas, but the young master intended to auction them next year to the highest bidders.

After ten minutes, the car finally pulled up to the villa. Without waiting for it to stop, Eric jumped out, pushed open the door, and strode inside with urgency.

"Young master, you’re finally back!" Mrs. Harris said with a visible sense of relief. Eric had been gone for two nights, and in his absence, Ella had been like a lifeless scarecrow, lacking any energy or spirit.

Eric’s gaze went straight to the bar, where Ella was still slumped over, sound asleep.

"Did she drink this morning?" he asked, crossing the room and giving Ella’s shoulders a gentle shake. "Ella, wake up!"

Ella made a faint noise and sank back into sleep.

"No, young master. When I woke up, she was already asleep here," Mrs. Harris said, concern evident in her voice.

Eric was silent, realizing that Ella must have been so exhausted that even a little alcohol had put her into a deep sleep.

He carefully lifted Ella into his arms, carrying her upstairs and kicking open the bedroom door. He laid her gently on the bed, but he couldn’t shake the worry. Looking at her flushed face, Eric feared she might actually have alcohol poisoning.

To be safe, he needed to wake her up, or he’d have to take her to the hospital.

"Ella, wake up! Ella!" he said, a touch of irritation in his voice as he gently patted her face.

She mumbled, "Stop... don’t bother me..."

Relieved that she could still speak, Eric felt reassured she wasn’t suffering from alcohol poisoning, especially since she showed no signs of nausea.

He recalled a college friend in Country W who’d once nearly died of alcohol poisoning after binge drinking following a breakup. The memory of that close call made him worry even more.

"Ella, wake up! I’m back!" he said with a soft sigh, looking at her face, still sleepy and unaware. His anger and frustration from the previous night vanished.

During his brief trip to Country W, he’d done a lot of thinking. Despite his dislike for Henry, he understood that Ella simply wanted him to get better so they could part ways peacefully, putting rumors to rest once and for all.

Eric frowned, watching Ella still deep in sleep. He shook her shoulders a bit more forcefully this time. "Ella, there’s a fire! Wake up! Get up, quickly!"

At last, Ella groggily opened her eyes, and when she saw Eric in front of her, she immediately clung to his arm, as if she were still dreaming.

"Eric... huh... you must... be good... and serve your queen, hahaha..." she slurred, clearly intoxicated.

Eric’s face fell. Drunk Ella was always a handful, rambling nonsense that tested his patience.

With her eyes still shut, Ella held tightly to his arm and continued to mumble, "Eric... come on... help your baby scrub her back... pfft..."

Eric gritted his teeth, looking at her with a mix of exasperation and disbelief. Was she messing with him on purpose, or was she really that drunk?

Her cheeks were flushed an unnatural shade of red. Just how much had she drunk to get this wasted?

Then, Ella sniffled, and a tear slipped from the corner of her eye. "Eric... how could you... how could you not believe me...? Those people... believing rumors... that’s normal, they don’t know me... but you..."

Ella let out a small whimper before drifting back into a deep sleep.

Eric sighed. Ella’s tolerance for alcohol was terrible; just a few drinks, and she’d end up like this. No way would he let her drink so recklessly again—it was too harmful to her health.

She seemed close to waking up, though the strong smell of alcohol clung to her. She’d need a bath first.

Eric went to the bathroom, filled the tub, and set out fresh pajamas and towels. Once everything was ready, he carefully carried her to the bathroom to help her clean up.

As he lowered her into the tub, Ella suddenly jerked awake, splashing water everywhere. "Ah! Help, I’m drowning in the ocean!"

Her chin was promptly lifted, and she stared wide-eyed as her gaze focused on Eric, finally recognizing him.

"Uh... uh..." She looked as if she’d seen a ghost. How was Eric suddenly here? She’d been calling him non-stop before, only to be ignored or have some other woman pick up. It had truly broken her heart.

Her eyes, red and weary, betrayed her shock and discomfort.

"What’s wrong? A few hours apart, and you’ve already forgotten me?" Eric’s voice was tinged with irritation. He hated that stunned, wary expression on her face.

Ella pursed her lips, taken aback that their reunion would be like this... But at least he’d come back, showing he did care about her, even if he sometimes had a sharp tongue.

"You... came back?"

"Do you always need to state the obvious?" Eric snapped, withdrawing his hand sharply as he stood beside the tub. "Look at what you’ve done to yourself. You look like a complete mess!"

Eric’s harsh tone masked his worry, but to Ella, his scolding cut deeply, only amplifying the hurt she felt from his previous coldness. Thinking back to that woman’s words, a spark of anger flared within her.

"Why are you being so harsh with me? Can’t you speak kindly for once?" she retorted, frustration evident in her voice. "Eric, you’re the reason I ended up like this! You wouldn’t answer my calls, right? Fine, don’t answer them, but why did you have to let some random foreign woman pick up instead?"