The Heiress's Comeback
Chapter 74: [Volume 1] - 74- Attacked.

Chapter 74: [Volume 1] Chapter 74- Attacked.

The tension in the room hung thick as Esme’s smile faded, replaced by a steely determination. The elders exchanged frantic looks, their bravado crumbling under her unwavering gaze.

"Now," she continued, her voice low and measured, "let’s discuss your disrespect. You think you can insult my family without consequences?" She took a step closer, the broken piece of vass still held firmly in her grip, a silent threat.

One elder, trembling, stuttered, "We— we were just speaking out of concern for tradition—"

"Concern?" Esme interrupted sharply. "Your concern is nothing but a mask for your contempt. You don’t care about tradition; you care about power. And you’re afraid of losing it to people like my family."

Their expressions shifted, fear mixing with indignation, but they dared not speak. Esme took another step forward, the piece of wood now resting on the table, a reminder of her earlier threat.

As the Aron brothers watched Esme confront the elders, an unusual warmth spread through their hearts. They felt a mix of admiration and gratitude as they saw her stand strong, unyielding in the face of intimidation. It was surprising how quickly she had arrived, almost as if she had sensed their need for her support.

Despite the tension, a sense of relief washed over them. She had shown up just in time, like she knew they were in need of her help.

"Here’s what’s going to happen," she declared. "You’re going to apologize for your words, not just to me but to my family. If you don’t, I won’t hesitate to make sure you regret it."

The elders fell silent, their bravado completely stripped away. They could sense the gravity of the situation, realizing they were outmatched.

One elder finally spoke, his voice shaky. "We... we didn’t mean any harm. We apologize."

Esme’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Good. Now, remember this moment. The next time you think of disrespecting my family, think of what happened today."

With that, she stepped back, her posture relaxing slightly. "Now, get out. And don’t ever come back without respect."

As the elders hurriedly retreated, their faces pale and shaken, Esme felt a sense of power washing over her.

The elders were dumbfounded, but they quickly realized they didn’t want to deal with Esme any longer. There was something about her that felt even scarier than the previous leader of the Aron group, the Aron brothers’ mother. Whenever they looked into her eyes, it felt as though she could see right through them, ready to pounce. They hurriedly left, slamming the door behind them.

As soon as the door closed, Esme slumped to the ground, the broken piece slipping from her hands and clattering to the floor. The Aron brothers rushed to her side, concern etched on their faces. "Esme? Wife? What’s wrong?" they called out. But Esme’s face was drenched in sweat, her breathing heavy and labored.

Just two hours before, Esme had been in her car, heading to the airport, intently reviewing a file about a new project. The hum of the engine and the soft rustle of paper created a soothing rhythm. She was excited about the potential ahead, her mind buzzing with ideas when suddenly, a loud bang shattered the calm.

"What?" the driver shouted, his voice tinged with panic as bullets began to rain down around them. Esme’s heart plunged as she ducked low in her seat, her pulse quickening. Through the window, she caught a glimpse of three black SUVs tailing them, women in dark clothing leaning out, firing relentlessly. The reality of the situation crashed over her like icy water.

One of the driver’s frantic swerves sent the car jolting sideways, and she felt a sharp lurch as a bullet struck the windshield, spiderwebbing the glass. "Stay focused!" she shouted, trying to steady her breathing as she glanced back at the pursuers. They were closing in, relentless.

The driver fought to regain control, but another bullet struck him, and his body went limp, collapsing against the steering wheel. The car veered wildly, the world outside a blur of color and chaos. Esme felt a cold wave of dread wash over her as they hurtled toward a wall.

The impact was jarring, a violent crash that sent her body forward. The air exploded with the smell of gasoline as oil began to leak onto the pavement, mixing with the sharp tang of burnt rubber. Time slowed as she realized she had seconds to act. She had to escape before the car ignited.

Gathering her strength, she pushed herself up, adrenaline surging. With a swift motion, she yanked the driver from his seat, dragging him out just as the car erupted into a fireball behind them. The blast was deafening, a shockwave that knocked her to the ground, the heat of the flames licking at her back.

Stumbling away, her heart raced in her chest, each beat a reminder of how close she had come to death. She could hear the distant shouts of the men from the SUVs, their intentions clear as they raced toward her.

"Get up, get up!" she urged herself, scrambling to her feet. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she surveyed her surroundings. She needed cover, and fast. A nearby warehouse loomed in the distance, its doors slightly ajar.

She could not use her powers in front of so many people. She needed to lead them to a place where no one was, so that she could handle them.

Esme sprinted toward it, her shoes slapping against the pavement. She could feel the heat of the flames behind her, and the realization that they would be coming after her propelled her forward. She reached the door and ducked inside just as a bullet whizzed past her ear, embedding itself in the wall beside her.

The interior was dimly lit, shadows stretching ominously across the floor. She pressed her back against the cold metal of the wall, trying to catch her breath. A few crates were stacked nearby, offering some semblance of cover. She crouched behind them, peering through the gaps to see if anyone had followed her inside.

Footsteps echoed outside, heavy and purposeful. Esme’s heart raced as she strained to listen, each sound amplifying her anxiety. She had to think quickly. The warehouse was large, filled with equipment and shadows, but it also offered hiding spots. She could use that to her advantage.