The Heiress's Comeback
Chapter 23: [Volume 1] - 23-Rose Reinguard.

Chapter 23: [Volume 1] Chapter 23-Rose Reinguard.

The realization rippled through the room like a shockwave. The reporters, previously standing on the periphery, now zoomed their cameras in on the evidence, capturing every detail.

Kai’s gaze turned to the Vallahe family, who stood rooted in place, their faces a mixture of shock and disbelief. He allowed a smirk to curl at the corner of his mouth, the condescension in his expression unmistakable.

"Here’s the evidence..." he began, his tone laced with scorn. But then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he paused and let out a mocking chuckle. "Oh, I completely forgot—you lot are completely illiterate. Let me help you out."

The hall erupted in whispers and gasps, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. The Vallahe family, once revered as scholars and intellectuals, had just been publicly humiliated in a manner no one could have foreseen.

Diana’s face was flushed with a deep, angry red from the impact and the utter humiliation. She stood there, stunned, as the full weight of the insult settled in.

"This is my wife, Rose Reinguard," Kai announced, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

"She is the current heir of the Aron Group and the former president of AT Electronics and Intelligence. They returned to this country for the first time just one month ago." His tone was firm, commanding, leaving no room for doubt as he turned to walk away, only to pause mid-step.

"Oh, and if you’re still living in the dark ages, check online. You might just become enlightened. And honestly, it wouldn’t hurt to learn how to use that fancy smartphone you carry around, would it?"

The weight of his words hung in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst. At his suggestion, not just Diana’s secretary, but nearly everyone in the hall hastily pulled out their phones.

AT Electronics was an international powerhouse, and in moments, their screens were flooded with images of Esme—no, Rose Reinguard. Just as Kai had said, her name was listed as Rose Reinguard, not Esme Vallahe.

Kai didn’t let up. He stepped back, his posture seemingly relaxed, but the intensity in his eyes betrayed the cold fury simmering beneath the surface.

"What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?" he taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. "Or do you need me to spell it out for you again? That’s Rose Reinguard in the picture—my wife, and nothing you say or do will change that."

He leaned in slightly, his tone turning dangerously sarcastic.

"Oh, in case you’ve conveniently forgotten, your beloved Esme Vallahe tragically perished in the flames that engulfed her prison cell. It’s been making headlines everywhere. So tell me, how exactly did you manage to land her inheritance and become the lucky new heir without her death?"

His words were like knives, each one stabbing deep into Diana’s already wounded pride. She could feel the eyes of the crowd on her, not a word spoken, but the silent judgment was deafening.

They all knew the truth, or at least, they believed they did. Even if Diana had carved out a respectable position for herself, Esme had been a titan in the business world—a god, as far as they were concerned.

When Esme was declared dead in that horrific fire, the Vallahe family had wasted no time in claiming that the Beast, their family’s mysterious benefactor, had chosen a new heir: Diana.

It had been a seamless transition, or so they had thought. But now, with Esme—or rather, Rose—standing before them, very much alive, the questions swirled. If Esme wasn’t dead, how had Diana inherited the Beast’s favor? How had she gained control of the group?

Diana’s heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing the growing fear that everything she had worked for was slipping through her fingers.

Her carefully constructed world was teetering on the edge of collapse, and with each passing second, the ground beneath her seemed to give way just a little more.

"Honey," Esme’s voice broke through the tension, soft and soothing. She had been silent until now, but the tenderness in her tone as she placed a gentle hand on Kai’s shoulder made him pause. Her bright smile radiated warmth as she looked up at him, her presence a calming force.

"Calm down," she urged, her words like a balm to his simmering anger.

Then, she turned to face the Vallahe family, her expression one of understanding, though her words carried a pointed edge.

"It’s okay," she said with a gentle nod, her voice carrying a serene clarity that belied the weight of her message.

"They just lost the woman they raised for twenty-three years in a tragic fire. And my face looks exactly like hers, so they must have been mistaken—or perhaps, scared."

On the surface, it seemed as if Esme was trying to diffuse the situation, offering a rationale for their confusion. Yet, her words also carried an undeniable accusation.

The message was clear: the Vallahe family had not just lost someone dear to them—they had been the ones who condemned Esme Vallahe, their own daughter, to a prison where she ultimately met a horrific end.

And now, with Esme—or Rose—standing before them, alive and well, they were petrified by the ghost of their past actions.

The hall was still, the implications of her words settling in like a cold fog.

Esme’s calm demeanor did little to mask the truth she was revealing: the Vallahe family had turned against their own, imprisoning her on false charges, and now, faced with the uncanny resemblance of Rose Reinguard, they were forced to confront the guilt they had buried with Esme.

Her smile, though kind, was laced with the subtle triumph of someone who had survived against the odds, and now, the tables had turned.

Now, all eyes in the hall shifted to the Vallahe family, their gazes heavy with suspicion and doubt. The weight of the room’s judgment pressed down like a physical force, making Madam Vallahe tremble with embarrassment.