Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 409: A Long-Awaited Embrace

Chapter 409: A Long-Awaited Embrace

The room fell silent as everyone turned, stunned, to see a swarm of uniformed officers storming in, weapons drawn.

"Drop your guns!"

"Mr. Barry, you are under suspicion of kidnapping Mr. Eric Nelson. Cooperate and lower your weapon!"

"Everyone, drop your guns now!"

Barry’s legs nearly gave out as he recognized the group as international law enforcement. Eric, still composed, let out a cold chuckle. Raising an eyebrow, he said leisurely, "Be smart about this, Barry. Your country’s military police and criminal investigators are here. Resisting won’t end well for you. Think carefully—this was your brother’s trap. Perhaps it’s time to reflect on your stupidity."

Barry trembled with rage, his bulk shaking as Bowan’s voice crackled through the phone. "Barry, what’s happening over there?"

Barry didn’t reply. He smashed the phone against the floor in frustration, his fleshy face contorted with fury. Glancing at the officers, whose steely expressions betrayed no mercy, Barry finally raised his hands and placed the gun on the floor.

His men, once so accustomed to swaggering about under Barry’s command, nervously followed suit. They lowered their weapons, their bravado evaporating as they realized they were now prisoners.

Barry scowled at Eric, his voice seething with malice. "Eric, this time I’ve been framed. Next time, you won’t be so lucky."

The officers swarmed in, restraining Barry and his men with forceful efficiency before escorting them out. Eric exhaled deeply, a weight lifting from his chest.

Thankfully, his team had acted quickly, buying him just enough time. The police in Country W had proven remarkably efficient, arriving within minutes. Had they been any slower, Eric wasn’t sure he could have kept stalling.

He had deliberately stayed put rather than attempt an escape, knowing it was crucial for the authorities to witness the crime firsthand and secure Barry’s downfall. With Barry arrested, he would likely drag Leonard into the fray, and not even Bowan Miller’s influence could withstand the backlash from those already resentful of the Millers’ power.

As the group left Leonard’s room, Eric’s loyal team rushed forward to meet him.

"Boss!"

"Are you okay, Boss?"

"Mr. Nelson, you’re bleeding!"

Eric’s subordinates crowded around him, concern etched on their faces. His expression remained stoic as he replied, "I’m fine."

"I told you," one of them said with a grin, "nothing could take down Eric Nelson. Anyone who tries is as good as dead."

David, a striking man with blue hair, sauntered into the room, his flamboyant presence unmistakable. He was infamous for his vanity, spending hours perfecting his look.

Eric shot him a dry look. "Another week, another teddy bear haircut?"

David pouted, glaring in mock indignation. "You’re bleeding from your forehead, and you’re insulting my hair?"

The wound on Eric’s forehead was from a close call during the basement shootout—a bullet had grazed him, leaving a narrow but bloody gash. It had been dangerously close; a fraction of a second’s hesitation would have spelled his end.

David stepped forward, reaching to clean the blood off Eric’s face. But before he could, a voice called out urgently.

"Eric!"

Eric turned sharply, his eyes locking onto a figure in black racing toward him. It was a woman, her face streaked with tears, her graceful beauty marred by raw emotion. Despite her disheveled appearance, Eric felt as if the world brightened in that moment.

Brushing David’s hand aside, Eric strode forward and pulled Ella into a tight embrace.

David withdrew with a grumble, and the rest of the team let out lighthearted whistles, relieved to see their leader reunited with someone so important to him.

Lucas and Luke, who had just arrived on the scene, stopped in their tracks, silently watching the heartfelt reunion.

Ella clung to Eric desperately, her trembling arms wrapping around him as though she feared he might vanish at any moment. Her tears soaked his shirt, but she didn’t let go, her voice choked with emotion.

For days and nights, she had dreamed of this moment—of Eric suddenly appearing before her, alive and well. But every time she dared to hope, disappointment had crushed her.

Now, holding him in her arms, she couldn’t deny the warmth of his body or the sound of his breath in her ear. It was real. He was real.

"Sorry for making you worry," Eric murmured softly.

Ella’s tears, unstoppable, streamed down her pale face, soaking his white shirt. The crystalline drops reflected her exhaustion, yet her grip on him remained firm.

Lucas’s lips curled into a faint smile. Eric had ventured deep into danger and emerged unscathed. That, in itself, was impressive. It reassured Lucas that Ella’s decision to marry him wasn’t misplaced—Eric was truly worthy of her.

Luke, standing nearby, watched silently. His heart twisted in ways he didn’t fully understand. Though he had always claimed he wouldn’t marry Ella, deep down, he knew it was a lie—a shield to protect feelings he couldn’t admit.

"Alright, alright, it’s over now. Let’s head back to the hotel. Eric’s injured; we need to take care of that," Lucas said, his tone warm and composed.

Ella reluctantly loosened her hold, her bright eyes scanning Eric’s face. "Oh no, you’re really hurt!" she exclaimed, noticing the blood on his forehead.

Reaching out with her delicate hand, she tried to wipe the blood away, but Eric gently caught her hand. "Don’t get your hands dirty," he said softly.

Tears welled up again in Ella’s eyes. "Your blood isn’t dirty," she whispered fiercely.

Eric felt a surge of emotion rise in his chest, his heart swelling with warmth.

"Alright, alright, that’s enough sweetness for one day. Let’s get moving. They still need to clean up that basement!" David interjected with a mischievous grin.

David took a moment to admire Ella, noting her beauty. He shot Eric an approving look, piling on compliments about Eric’s impeccable taste.

Ella laughed through her tears, a mix of joy and relief. Eric leaned in, kissing her cheek gently. "Let’s go back to the hotel," he said.

He turned to Lucas, who was watching with a composed, knowing smile.

"Mr. Anderson, I owe you for taking care of Ella while I was away," Eric said, his tone firm but polite. His aura exuded dominance, the confidence and pride unmistakable.

Lucas, impressed, gave a small nod. "No need to thank me. You had the skill to make it out alive, and I’ll honor my promise. No matter my relationship with Ella, I won’t interfere with your marriage."

Ella pressed her lips together, saying nothing. Though she had once resented Lucas for pressuring her to choose Luke, she now saw things clearly. Eric, in every way, was far superior to Luke.

"Anderson, you might have forgotten," Eric said with a sly smile, "Ella and I have already registered our marriage. The only thing left is to give her the wedding she deserves."

Ella rolled her eyes at him. "Stop talking so much. Let’s save it for later," she said, her voice soft but insistent.

Standing in Leonard’s mansion and discussing their relationship felt wrong, especially knowing how furious Leonard would be when he realized she’d orchestrated Eric’s transfer to Barry. Leonard’s cleverness had backfired. Unlike Barry, Leonard would never have underestimated Eric, but now it was too late.

What Leonard hadn’t anticipated was Eric’s sheer determination and resourcefulness. Even Country W’s military and criminal police had been mobilized, proof enough that the Miller family’s aristocratic dominance was wearing thin. Many had long been waiting for an opportunity to strike at their power.

Together, the group left Leonard’s estate, which was now completely surrounded by police. The inspector spoke to Eric with great respect, asking him to visit the station to give a statement once his injuries had been tended to.

...

Inside the car.

Ella delicately dabbed at Eric’s forehead with tissues, carefully wiping away the blood to reveal the deep graze left by the bullet.

"Maybe we should go to a hospital," she suggested softly. "I’m worried about your head—you might have a concussion. It’s safer to get it checked out."

Her voice trembled slightly, filled with concern.