The Heiress's Comeback
Chapter 50: [Volume 1] - 50- Play with her.

Chapter 50: [Volume 1] Chapter 50- Play with her.

Ray’s hands, balled into tight fists, trembled slightly. The tension in his body spoke volumes, though he kept his face carefully controlled. Esme, lounging almost carelessly now, kept her gaze fixed on him, her smirk never quite fading. She knew exactly what he was thinking. They all did.

It was a game—one second aunt always won.

Ray’s fingers drummed against the armrest of his wheelchair, the rhythmic tapping the only sound filling the tense air. He stared out of the window, deep in thought, his frustration evident in the way his jaw tightened, the subtle twitch of his fingers. Esme remained seated across from him, watching him with a gaze that was both amused and wary, as if anticipating his next move.

Finally, Ray broke the silence. "We need to find a way to bring her down." His voice was low but firm, the quiet intensity of a man who had been pushed too far. "I’m done letting her play us."

Esme leaned back, crossing her legs casually. "You talk like it’s so simple, Ray." Her tone was light, mocking even, but beneath it lay the same tension they all felt. "If it was that easy, your mother would’ve done it years ago."

Ray’s eyes flicked toward her, his expression hardening. "It’s not about ease, Esme. It’s about necessity." He inhaled sharply, his voice deepening with resolve. "She’s been controlling everything for too long. We either find a way to stop her, or she’ll keep manipulating this family and business until there’s nothing left."

Esme’s smirk faded, replaced by something colder, more calculating. She uncrossed her legs, leaning forward slightly as her eyes narrowed. "And what do you suggest? . She’s untouchable. No proof. No leverage left to prove her wrong."

Ray’s eyes flashed with a rare glimpse of anger. "We make proof."

Esme raised a brow, intrigued but cautious. "And how do you propose we do that?"

Before Ray could answer, there was a soft knock on the door. Both of them turned their heads as the door creaked open, revealing a figure they didn’t expect—Kai. He stepped inside, his usually calm expression marred with unease, a file in his hand.

"Sorry to interrupt," he began, his voice hushed but steady. "But I thought you both should see this."

Ray gestured for him to enter, his eyes now fixed on the file. Kai crossed the room quickly, handing the folder to Ray. As Ray flipped it open, his eyes skimmed the contents, his expression unreadable at first. But then, his lips pressed into a thin line, and he passed the file to Esme without a word.

Esme took the folder, her eyes scanning the pages with a growing frown. "What is this?"

Kai folded his arms, watching them both carefully. "It’s the missing pieces we’ve been looking for." He paused, gauging their reactions. "Financial records. Signed contracts. Hidden accounts. It’s all there. And it all leads back to her."

Esme sat with an effortless grace, her posture relaxed but eyes sharp as she watched Ray absorb the weight of the information in front of him. Her fingers toyed with a lock of her hair, a subtle distraction from the storm brewing behind her composed expression. She was not weak.

She had never been weak, no matter what anyone thought. And now, as the pieces began to align, her interest piqued—not because she had been waiting, but because now was the right time to move.

"Interesting," she mused, her voice a mix of curiosity and amusement, watching Ray’s reaction carefully. She could see the determination harden in his features, the familiar fire he tried so hard to conceal but could never fully suppress. "So, we finally have her, then?"

Ray didn’t answer immediately, his gaze fixed on the papers, as if solidifying the reality in front of him. When he finally spoke, it was more to himself than to her. "We can take her down. Everything we need is here."

Esme raised an eyebrow, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips, though her eyes remained cold. "You say that like it was ever a question. She’s been waiting for us to make the wrong move." She leaned forward, her voice lowering as if sharing a secret. "The real question is... why now?"

Ray looked at her sharply. He always underestimated her. Always thought she was a step behind, but Esme had seen through this game long before anyone else. She wasn’t just reacting to the mess—she was waiting for the perfect moment to flip the board.

"Why now?" Ray echoed, irritation creeping into his voice.

Esme tilted her head slightly, her amusement growing at his lack of insight. "She’s clever, Ray. Too clever to leave such a trail without reason. This isn’t just carelessness." She tapped the arm of the sofa, her smile never reaching her eyes. "It’s bait."

Kai, who had been silently observing, frowned. "Bait? You think she’s trying to lure us into something?"

Esme’s gaze shifted to him, and for a brief moment, the lightness in her expression vanished. "I don’t think. I know."

Ray’s brow furrowed, the fire in him momentarily dampened by her words. "You think she’s letting us have this... on purpose?"

Esme sighed, standing from the sofa with the fluid grace of someone always in control. She walked to the window, peering out as if the city below held the answers to the unspoken questions. "Powerful people don’t make careless mistakes. Especially not her." Her fingers trailed along the window frame before she turned back to face them, her expression sharp. "We take her down, yes. But not like this."

Ray clenched his fists, the frustration boiling beneath his calm exterior. "So, what? We do nothing?"

Esme’s smile returned, but it was cold and calculating. "No. We play her game better than she does. We let her think she’s winning, that her plan is working, until we pull the rug out from under her."

Kai shifted uncomfortably, but he didn’t disagree. Ray, on the other hand, let out a frustrated breath, his eyes darkening with thought.

"You’re sure about this?" he asked, though he knew better than to question Esme’s instincts.