The Heiress's Comeback
Chapter 97: [Volume 1] - 97- Esme collapsed.

Chapter 97: [Volume 1] Chapter 97- Esme collapsed.

Esme leaned back, her frustration palpable. "That’s the question. If he’s so desperate for family ties and land, why is he surrounded by luxury? It’s almost as if he’s trying to distract us from the truth."

Helga’s curiosity ignited. "Maybe that acre has more value than we realize."

Esme shook her head, frustration evident in her voice. "No, that’s not right. I already checked on that land thoroughly. It’s nothing special—just a regular plot of land. But here’s where it gets weird: the land wasn’t transferred to any individual; it was transferred to a charity."

Helga’s brows knitted in confusion. "A charity? What kind of charity?"

Esme exhaled slowly. "The Kudo Charity. A pretty big one. And the thing is, it was founded by my mother before her accident."

Helga’s eyes widened. "Your mother’s charity? But why would that mer—be interested in land tied to your family’s land? Even if he wanted that land, why did he ask them to donate it to charity instead of getting it for himself?"

Esme rubbed her forehead again, the puzzle only deepening. "That’s exactly what I can’t figure out. The land was handed over, no strings attached. It doesn’t make sense, and as far as I know, there’s no mystical significance to it. Yet, for some reason, that acre was important enough for him to ask about."

Helga’s gaze hardened with suspicion. "Do you think there could be something hidden in the charity’s records? Or maybe the land itself is a front? Your mother founded it—could there be something about the charity that ties with that mer, something only she would know?"

Esme bit her lip, her mind racing. "I don’t know. But there’s definitely more to this story. My mother was always secretive about certain things—especially after the accident. If there’s a connection between her charity and that mer, we’re going to need to dig deeper. And we’re running out of time."

Helga nodded, her face determined. "We need to investigate the charity, look into its history, and see if we can uncover why that land was so valuable to him. Whatever your mother was protecting may be the key to understanding this whole mess."

Esme clenched her fists, resolve hardening. "Let’s get to work."

Esme leaned back in her chair, exhausted after another long board meeting. The elders had made their usual round of complaints, and while they hadn’t dared to cross the line with her brothers after the police warning, Esme wasn’t as fortunate.

They still hounded her at work, making baseless demands and stirring trouble in her office. Her patience was fraying, and it took all of her self-control not to lash out. The frustration was bubbling just beneath the surface, threatening to erupt.

At least Helga—or Ruby, as everyone now knew her—was by her side. Helga had taken on the role of Esme’s secretary, a perfect cover with her new identity. In just a month, Ruby had become the most talented and popular secretary in the Aron Group, her efficiency and sharp mind turning heads. No one recognized her as Helga anymore, with her changed appearance and demeanor, and her reputation only grew with each passing day.

Esme rubbed her temples, trying to focus on the screen in front of her. The numbers were starting to blur, the letters on the documents losing their sharpness. She frowned, blinking a few times, but the dizziness only worsened.

A sharp pain flared in her hand, and before she could react, her vision dimmed. The last thing she saw was the papers on her desk slipping from her grasp as her body followed, crashing to the floor with a loud thud.

The noise reverberated through the office. Ruby—no, Helga—was sitting just outside, her keen senses picking up the unusual sound. Her heart skipped a beat, and she bolted up from her desk. Something was wrong. She rushed to the door, and as soon as she stepped inside, her eyes locked on Esme’s collapsed form on the ground.

"President!" Helga cried out, her voice sharp with panic as she raced toward her friend.

Helga’s heart raced as she gently picked up Esme, cradling her limp body. Panic surged through her as she patted Esme’s face softly, trying to rouse her. "President! Come on, wake up!" she urged, her voice trembling.

But Esme remained unresponsive, her head lolling to the side, eyes closed as if in a deep sleep.

"President!" Helga called again, louder this time, shaking her lightly, her desperation growing. Her hands trembled as she pressed her fingers to Esme’s neck, checking for a pulse. There—faint, but steady. Relief washed over her, but it was fleeting.

Something was wrong.

Helga quickly laid Esme back down, her mind spinning with possibilities. Could it be the divine beast? Was this some kind of spell or curse? She glanced around the room, her eyes scanning for anything out of place, any signs of danger that she might have missed.

"President, please..." she whispered, kneeling beside her, uncertainty and fear tightening in her chest.

Helga’s mind raced as she glanced at Esme, whose face had turned an alarming shade of red. Her breaths were shallow, her body heavy as if weighed down by an unseen force. Helga could feel panic creeping up her spine, but she forced it down, knowing she had to stay calm. The thought of taking Esme out of the office crossed her mind, but that would raise too many questions. If anyone saw Esme like this, rumors would spread quickly, and Helga couldn’t risk that.

Her gaze fell on Esme’s phone, sitting on the edge of the desk. Without thinking, she grabbed it, scrolling through the contacts until her fingers stopped on a name. It wasn’t a conscious decision, but something pressed in her mind, urging her to call this person.

Helga’s fingers trembled as she dialed the number on Esme’s phone. Her eyes darted nervously to Esme, whose face was flushed, her breathing labored despite Helga’s attempt to loosen her tie and open her collar. Sweat had begun to bead on Esme’s forehead, and Helga’s heart pounded with urgency.