Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 496: The Stranger’s Threat

Chapter 496: The Stranger’s Threat

Ella’s gaze dimmed. So, the real target... was her?

After all, kidnapping a child was much easier than abducting an adult. This wasn’t about money, which meant little Elias was likely not in immediate danger.

Taking a deep breath, Ella unconsciously typed a reply to the mysterious sender:

"Who are you? I want to see my son. What exactly do you want me to do?"

She was now certain that this was either a direct scheme against her or a ploy to lure her into a trap.

Regardless, she was determined to see Elias. Only then could she find a semblance of peace. Elias was far too young to escape on his own, but if she were there with him, the odds might change.

Ten minutes later, the reply arrived.

"You cannot tell anyone. Don’t think for a second that Eric can save both you and your son. If I find out you’ve leaked this email, then... prepare to receive your son’s corpse. Think carefully before you reply."

The sender’s arrogant tone made Ella want to smash her phone against the ground.

That bastard! She vowed that one day, she would make them regret everything, to the point they’d beg for death.

Meanwhile.

In the luxurious Scott family mansion in Country W, Mason sat at the bar. His slender fingers swirled a clear glass filled with a vibrant red liquid.

He swished the cocktail lightly and smirked. "Miss Rodriguez, your skills have improved quite a bit. This is a passable drink."

Behind the bar stood a tall woman in a deep crimson, form-fitting gown that accentuated her flawless figure. It was Bella.

Although Mason had once heartlessly discarded her, love had a way of clouding reason. Despite deciding to preserve her dignity and stop pursuing him, Bella had gone through a period of anguish so intense it left her in despair.

Eventually, without her family’s knowledge, she secretly followed Mason to Country W.

To her surprise, Mason didn’t reject her. They even began living together.

Bella believed that Mason’s heart was slowly softening toward her, that he was starting to care for her.

"I’ve been practicing bartending just for you. It’s not an easy skill, you know," Bella said with a bright smile. "I’ve spent a year learning it... at least now you’re satisfied."

Mason chuckled softly. "Didn’t I tell you three years ago not to fall for me or do anything for me?"

Bella’s heart skipped a beat. Why was he bringing that up now?

Her delicate face remained lit with a smile. "Yes, I think I remember you saying that. You’re so heartless! You have no idea how long I cried back then—I almost fell into depression. My dad finally agreed to let me come to Country W to unwind."

Mason took a small sip of his cocktail, his expression cool as he avoided her warm, expectant gaze. Placing the glass down, he said, "The taste is much better than before, but... it’s still not to my liking."

Bella’s face slowly drained of color. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Why...? I’ve done so much for you. How can you keep rejecting me so easily?"

Mason stared at her, his expression blank. "I’ve told you before: stop wasting your time on me. No matter what you do, I will never feel anything for you."

Bella’s heart pounded violently, each beat like a stab of pain, as if it were being shattered into tiny pieces.

So, everything she had done—none of it mattered to him.

How cruel.

"Mason, are you serious? I truly love you. Why can’t you accept me? I may not be as gentle and refined as others, but I’m willing to try!"

Tears glimmered in Bella’s eyes as she desperately grabbed Mason’s hand. "Mason, I would do anything for you. I can even convince my father to reopen the Country S market for you!"

Mason let out a mocking laugh. "What a joke. Don’t you know your father is already in deep trouble? Just three days ago, he was reported for corruption, and every document points to him embezzling a massive amount of money. It won’t be long before he’s behind bars."

Bella looked as though she’d been struck by lightning, staring at Mason in shock. "You... you’re lying! I spoke to my father on the phone just yesterday, and he didn’t say anything about this!"

Mason curled his lips disdainfully. "Believe me or not, it doesn’t matter. I never asked for your trust. And stop asking if I love you or if I’ll marry you. I’ve already told you—I don’t love you, and I never will."

Bella’s face alternated between red and pale as she fought to contain her shock. "If you don’t love me, then why let me stay here? Mason! Don’t tell me... you only see me as..."

"Yes," Mason said coldly, cutting her off. "Just a physical outlet. That’s all you are to me."

His eyes glinted with icy indifference. "You need to understand, the only woman I’ll ever love is Ella, not you."

Bella’s chest heaved violently. She let out a bitter laugh. "Mason, don’t think I don’t see through you. You’re just using me to go after Eric and Ella! I’m not the naive woman I was three years ago. I know you’ve always wanted to take Eric down, but the truth is, you just don’t have the ability!"

"Using you to deal with Ella? Don’t overestimate yourself," Mason retorted with a sneer. "What value could you possibly have? Your only worth to me now is keeping me company in bed."

Every word Mason spoke stabbed at Bella’s heart like a blade.

Her world seemed to collapse into darkness. She could no longer see the man who had once smiled at her with that devilish charm.

Bella took a deep breath, then, in a sweeping motion, knocked all the bottles off the bar. They shattered on the ground, filling the room with the pungent smell of alcohol.

"Say what you want," she said coldly, "but if I walk away now, wouldn’t that mean I’ve lost even more completely?"

With a bitter laugh, Bella turned and stormed out of the bar, heading for the garden.

Mason was slightly surprised. Bella, who had always been tolerant and self-sacrificing for him, usually exploded in anger after being pushed this far. Yet this time, the provocation didn’t drive her away.

"Staying here is fine," Mason murmured, his expression darkening. "You still have your uses."

A sinister smile played on his lips as his mind wandered to Ella’s radiant smile. His grin grew even colder.

"Eric, let’s see how you plan to win this time."

The next morning.

Little Elias sat properly at the long white European-style dining table, eyeing the breakfast laid out before him. "Why is it all bread?"

Dr. Scott chuckled heartily. Today, he wore a casual olive-green outfit, looking several years younger. His warm smile matched the one from the previous evening.

"But there’s lamb, boiled eggs, and milk here too. Don’t you like any of these?"

Elias scrunched his nose. "My mommy and daddy always make porridge for us. But... Grandpa Scott, are you from Country S too?"

"Yes, I am from Country S," Dr. Scott replied with a smile. "But I’ve always preferred bread and meat."

His tone was unusually conversational, prompting a curious glance from his assistant, Miss Carrie.

Dr. Scott was fascinated by the human brain and had orchestrated Elias’s kidnapping to advance his research in this area.