Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 398: Testing the Waters

Chapter 398: Testing the Waters

Ella noticed Luke’s movement and immediately lifted her head, glaring at him. "What are you doing? Don’t touch me!"

Luke froze for a moment, then awkwardly withdrew his hand, his expression shifting to one of cold detachment. "I was just going to tell you there’s a guest room over there. If you’re tired, you can rest."

Ella scoffed. "Rest here? I wouldn’t even know if I got eaten alive!"

Luke’s face flushed crimson. "Ella, don’t overestimate your charm. I’m not Eric!"

Without giving him another glance, Ella turned and headed toward another staircase.

The villa was grand and spacious, with a main staircase in the hall and another leading to the backyard, showcasing its luxurious design.

Ella walked to the backyard, marveling at its size. It featured a swimming pool and a small plaza, a truly perfect estate.

Still, no matter how grand this villa was, it couldn’t compare to the warmth of the home she was building with Eric.

Luke remained where he was, staring after her graceful figure as she walked away. Narrowing his eyes, he composed himself and descended the stairs without a word.

...

Ella wandered to a carved bench in the backyard and sat down, pulling out her phone to call Eric. He answered, explaining he was currently having dinner with his uncle, Curtis Miller.

Ella had never met Curtis.

Before Victoria’s tragic suicide, Curtis had emigrated abroad. Later, when Eric was sent to Country W, Curtis, though sympathetic to Eric’s lack of parental love, faced opposition from his difficult and stingy wife when it came to adopting him.

The constant arguments over Eric’s presence led to family discord. Once Eric realized he was causing trouble, he stopped asking Curtis for financial help.

Still, Curtis secretly sent Eric small amounts of money now and then, which, though modest, sometimes helped in critical moments. Most of Eric’s living expenses, however, came from his own hard work.

Ella knew Eric had intended to stay a few extra days to introduce her to Curtis, but Lucas’s situation had thrown their plans off track.

Eric had run into his uncle unexpectedly tonight and decided to treat him to dinner. Since Ella was with the Anderson family, she couldn’t join them.

After hanging up with Eric, Ella received a call from an unknown number. When she answered, the voice on the other end made her think she was hallucinating.

"Miss Davis, how have you been lately?"

It was Mrs. Miller’s voice, warm and pleasant, though its insincerity made Ella want to throw her phone. This was the same woman who had let Rylee take the fall for drug trafficking. Now she had the audacity to call?

"I’m doing well, thank you for your concern, Mrs. Miller," Ella replied with a cold laugh. "I didn’t expect that when my sister became inconvenient to your family’s interests, you’d be so quick to abandon her. Truly disheartening."

Mrs. Miller chuckled softly. "Miss Davis, you must understand. I gave Hannah a chance to turn her life around, but she squandered it. What was I to do? Besides, Hannah falsely accused you this time. Why are you defending her?"

"She’s still my sister," Ella said icily. "No matter our past grievances, I will stand up for her when faced with injustice."

Mrs. Miller’s tone remained smooth and gentle. "Hannah is lucky to have such a caring sister. But with her currently in prison, aren’t you going to try to help her?"

"She brought this upon herself. It has nothing to do with me. If you have nothing else to say, Mrs. Miller, I’m ending this call," Ella replied, uninterested in continuing the conversation.

She was well aware of Mrs. Miller’s intentions—probing to see if Ella had uncovered the truth about Hannah and Rylee’s switched identities. Ella had no intention of stirring up more trouble and chose to feign ignorance.

Mrs. Miller’s voice remained soft. "Since you’re so busy, Miss Davis, I won’t keep you."

With that, she ended the call.

Ella’s eyes gleamed with a cold light. Although Mrs. Miller had seemingly gotten the answers she sought, that didn’t mean the Miller family would simply let things go.

Mrs. Miller was likely trying to avoid trouble, but she also feared Ella discovering the truth.

Now that Ella and Lucas had been seen interacting closely, and with Ella seemingly unaware of the secrets involving Hannah, the Miller family remained wary.

...

Meanwhile, Mrs. Miller returned to the study, her expression calm. "Father, Ella doesn’t seem to know anything about Hannah. I tested her," she said softly.

Mr. Bowen sat in his chair, his face grim and foreboding. His demeanor exuded cold menace.

"This is all your doing!" he snapped. "If Alice had passed away, that was one thing. But to think an outsider could replace her? And worse, Hannah—a woman with a notorious reputation in Country S? For you to go so far as to have them surgically alter their appearances and switch identities—utter foolishness!"

His voice cut sharply, dripping with contempt.

"Father, even if I hadn’t acted, didn’t you already target Eric?" Mrs. Miller retorted, her brow furrowed. "The Nelson Group’s meteoric rise is worrisome, sure, but we are still aristocrats. How can you even see such a small company as a threat?"

"You’re wrong," Bowen countered with a steely glare. "Eric is incredibly shrewd. I’ve had my eye on him since his early days in Country W. And more importantly, they’ve been taking clients that should’ve been ours!"

His face darkened further. "That brat even stabbed us in the back! If it weren’t for your brother’s quick thinking to shift the blame for the drug charges onto a subordinate, the Miller family’s losses would have been catastrophic."

Mrs. Miller lowered her head, feeling the sting in her father’s words. "So...what do we do next?" she ventured cautiously.

"You don’t meddle any further!" Bowen snapped, his voice sharp. "Your idiocy has caused enough trouble. Keep yourself in check."

Mrs. Miller flinched under his icy glare.

Had it not been for Hannah provoking Ella, the situation might not have escalated to this point.

Bowen’s thin, angular face twisted into a menacing smirk. "Eric is indeed brilliant. If we could bring him into the fold, it would be a valuable move. But...with his personality..."

He trailed off, lost in thought.

Mrs. Miller, trembling slightly, spoke up again. "Father, that Ella—she’s been spending a lot of time with Lucas lately. There are even rumors that they’re father and daughter."

Bowen nodded. "I’ve heard that too. For now, leave Ella alone. The Anderson family is not an easy target. But when it comes to their interests, they won’t ally with Eric."

Mrs. Miller’s eyes reflected her unease. "And what about that brat Eric? He once pointed a gun at me to threaten me! He humiliated me—I won’t forget that."

"Enough!" Bowen barked, waving her off with an annoyed flick of his hand. "Put aside your petty grievances for now. I have my own plans. Leave me."

Mrs. Miller bowed respectfully before retreating from the study.

...

At the Anderson estate, Ella sat through dinner, though every bite felt like a struggle. Despite this, she managed to eat half a bowl of rice before setting down her chopsticks.

Lucas noticed her lack of appetite and frowned. "Is the food here not to your liking?" he asked, surprised.

"No, I’m just not very hungry. Please, take your time, Mr. Anderson," Ella replied coldly.

The formal way she addressed him struck a chord of pain in Lucas’s heart. He sighed softly and turned to a nearby servant.

"Take Miss Ella to my study. Open the top drawer of my desk and give her everything inside," he instructed.