Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 401: Withdrawing Help

Chapter 401: Withdrawing Help

Ella’s voice shook with anger, her frustration boiling over. "Don’t you dare compare him to Robert! That greedy, spineless man isn’t even worthy of a single strand of Eric’s hair!"

Lucas laughed bitterly. "Ella, I’m talking about strength. If he can’t even protect you, how is he any better than Robert? Both are powerless and self-centered."

"Robert chose to let Brianna run wild. He’d already given up on my mother! Don’t you know that? My mother wasn’t like Brianna with her sweet-talking ways. She was a gentle and reserved woman, but Robert’s heart strayed when he met Brianna. No matter what you say, I won’t divorce Eric. Besides... you have no right to tell me what to do!" Ella’s voice grew sharper, her temper rising.

"How can you speak to your father like that?" Luke’s voice cut in as he strode into the room. He had overheard the escalating argument and couldn’t stay away.

Ella turned to glare at him coldly. "Mr. Anderson, don’t even start with me. You’ve been in the Anderson family for years, haven’t you faced dangers of your own? Or did I imagine that?"

Her sharp tone stunned Luke, while Lucas’s face darkened further.

"I clearly remember," Ella continued, her voice unwavering, "that in your youth, you were kidnapped twice and survived multiple assassination attempts. Did I get that wrong?"

In a place as chaotic as Country W, surviving without sufficient skill and power was impossible. The unprepared or weak were simply targets.

When Lucas first took over the Anderson family, his rise had provoked many enemies, resulting in frequent crises. Ella even recalled the story of one of Lucas’s loyal female detectives who was promoted to chief inspector—only to be assassinated within a week.

Country W was both a land of opportunity and a battleground soaked in blood. It was a place where power meant wealth, but without strength, one’s life was forfeit.

Lucas’s face grew even darker. The painful memories of his younger years, full of hardship and danger, resurfaced. If not for the need to support his elderly parents, he might have succumbed to despair long ago.

Lucas had always carefully concealed those struggles, yet Ella seemed to know everything. He realized that Eric must have gone to great lengths to uncover his history.

"Even the president of Country W has been assassinated before, Mr. Anderson," Ella said, her voice cutting. "You can’t dismiss Eric’s abilities because of one incident."

Her chest heaved with anger, her temples throbbing with pain. Grabbing her bag, she turned and strode toward the door.

"Fine," Lucas said coldly, his tone laced with sarcasm. "You’re right—Eric is very capable. After all, he climbed to where he is now without relying on any family support."

Ella paused mid-step, her back to him.

"So, I’ll rescind my orders," Lucas continued, his voice chilling. "I won’t send anyone to look for him. I’ll wait and see how well he can handle this on his own."

A dangerous edge crept into Lucas’s voice. "When I was younger, I carved my own path too. Back then, everyone in my family was plotting against me, and I had almost no help. I’ll watch closely to see if your man is truly as competent as you believe."

Ella’s face turned pale. She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. Her heart felt like it was being torn apart.

Even though she wasn’t ready to acknowledge Lucas as her father, his cold words cut deep. How could they not hurt?

"If you ever change your mind and need my help," Lucas said, his voice sharp, "you know where to find me. Agree to marry Luke, and I’ll step in to help."

His eyes burned with a mix of fury and pain as he watched Ella’s trembling figure walk away.

Lucas’s bitterness stemmed from his own past. He knew too well that a man without strength couldn’t protect the woman he loved—not in Country W.

He didn’t want Ella to face the same fate as Isabella. He didn’t want her life with Eric to be marked by relentless assassination attempts and unending danger.

"You...you’re really something. Eric will find a way out on his own!" Ella sneered coldly, refusing to back down as she stormed out.

But tears streaked down her face.

She couldn’t tell if her decision was the right one. The thought of marrying Luke? Impossible—not in this lifetime. All she could do was silently pray for Eric’s safe return.

...

Lucas watched her retreating figure with a deep sigh, his shoulders sagging with weariness.

"Father, doing this will only make her hate you more!" Luke said, his face flushed with frustration. "And for the record, I have no intention of getting married anytime soon!"

Lucas cast him a fleeting glance, his tone nonchalant. "Then I’ll find her another man who can."

Luke’s chest tightened, and he found himself speechless, his face growing hotter. "I... I only see Ella as a sister," he muttered.

Lucas gave him a knowing look, one eyebrow raised. "A man who likes a woman but doesn’t have the courage to admit it? You call that honorable?"

Luke’s face turned scarlet, but he remained silent, his tongue-tied response betraying him.

Lucas’s expression darkened. "Eric got himself into trouble with the Miller family. It’s his fault for being blind to the dangers. Did he really think he could take on such a powerful family alone? He’s brave, but foolish—hardly a suitable husband for Ella."

He paused, his voice softening just a fraction. "But... if he somehow manages to return safely—or surprises me in some way—I might reconsider interfering in their marriage."

Luke scoffed. "There’s no way he’s getting out of this. The Miller family doesn’t spare anyone who threatens their business. You know that as well as I do."

Lucas’s eyes narrowed, his gaze icy as he glanced toward Curtis and his wife, who had just approached, their expressions filled with desperation.

"Mr. Anderson, please, save Eric! It’s all our fault for not being more vigilant..." Curtis pleaded, his voice trembling.

Though Curtis ran a small business in Country W, he had long heard of Lucas Anderson’s reputation. Meeting the man in person confirmed everything he had heard—Lucas carried himself with an aura that spoke of wealth, power, and an unshakable ruthlessness.

Lucas’s presence was commanding. His demeanor, his air of authority, and the faint, menacing energy he exuded left no doubt of his standing.

"I trust you heard my conversation with Ella," Lucas said coldly. "I won’t repeat myself. And Mrs. Miller, remember this—greed leads to ruin. The only things that truly matter are what you earn with your own hands. I suggest you take those words to heart."

His sharp gaze swept over Mrs. Miller, whose face turned pale as she nodded repeatedly, her voice trembling as she stammered her agreement.

Without another word, Lucas turned and strode out of the house, Luke following close behind. Four black-suited bodyguards moved in perfect synchronization, departing with them.

Anna watched Luke’s retreating figure with a wistful expression. A man so strikingly handsome, yet born into a family so far removed from her own humble station. He was someone she could only dream of but never have.

...

Back at the hotel, Ella was restless. She called Lauren and was relieved to hear that nothing unusual had happened on their end.

Still, she didn’t dare share the news about Eric with Lauren.

"Oh, by the way," Lauren said cheerfully, "Old Mr. Nelson is here. Do you and Eric want to come over and join us for a bit?"

"No, we’re... we’re busy," Ella replied quickly, declining the invitation.

"Alright then. Mr. Nelson really seemed to want to see you both, though, so he asked me to pass the message along."

Ella murmured an acknowledgment, using an excuse to quickly end the call.

James had connections in Country S, but this wasn’t his turf. His influence here wouldn’t hold much weight.

Barely minutes after ending her call with Lauren, her phone rang again. This time, it was James calling directly.