The Phantom Heiress Rising From The Shadows

Once His Wife, Now His Rival 217 Chapter 217 Conscience Greta gently shook Lilith's arm. "Could you just dothis favor?" Lilith understood the situation. She could see that Ethan was warm toward Brenna, but his gaze toward everyone was cool and distant. He didn't seem like someone who was easy to approach. And Greta just didn't want to risk being turned down.

Lilith wasn't about to take the risk for Greta, She said, "Sorry, I really can't help you with this." Greta said nothing, but displeasure was evident on her face. She had spent a long ttrying to build up her nerve. But even after the cake was passed around, she still couldn't bring herself to approach Ethan to ask for his number. She understood that pushing too hard would only backfire and make him dislike her. It was better to wait and see.

Still, watching Ethan and Brenna move through the crowd together, smiling and laughing, looking like a perfect match, stirred something unpleasant in her chest.

Brenna stayed busy until well past eleven before the last of the guests finally left. Many people had packed up sfood before they left. The people from Brenna's studio, especially, had helped themselves without a second thought. None of them felt guilty about taking food from their boss.

The next day, Brenna slept in until after ten, only to be woken up by Julia.

Standing beside the bed, Julia hesitantly said, "Miss Harper, the Barrett family is here again. They want to see you." Brenna sat up, surprised. "They still have the nerve to show up here?" Julia gave a strange smile. "They do. And honestly, they look a bit pitiful. Would you like to cdown and take a look?" With a groan, Brenna got out of bed, quickly freshened up, and made her way to the living room.

Downstairs, the Harper family was nowhere to be seen. The servants stayed in the corners, clearly amused by the situation. Swere even snickering behind their hands. No one had bothered to offer the Barretts a drink or the slightest gesture of hospitality.

The entire Barrett family was present; Alec, Ruby, Mack, and Isabella were all here.

Brenna couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of them. Alec and Mack looked like they'd been through a strea brawl. Both had bruised faces, and their suits were ripped in several places, revealing rumpled, sweat-stain shirts underneath.

Their clothes were filthy, streaked with sunknown liquid that had dried and crusted. Their lips were cracked and peeling at the edges like they hadn't had a sip of water in days.

18:14 11 Chapter 217 Conscience Alec seemed to have aged ten years. He had more grey hair now, and deep lines had carved themselves into his face.

Ruby and Isabella didn't look any better. Though they weren't truised, dirt smudged their cheeks,that hair was matted and greasy, The four of them, aware of how awful they looked, didn't even attempt to sit. They stood stiffly in the center of the living room. Ruby and Isabella had red, swollen eyes, the kind that caffe from crying "What exactly happened to you?" Brenna settled comfortably onto the sofa. The laughter she tried to hold back still slipped through.

Alec's and Mack's faces darkened with anger. Brenna's amusement only added fuel to the fire burning in their chests.

"The Barrett Group is bankrupt!" Alec finally choked out. His voice shook, and tears ran down his face.

Suddenly, a loud stomach growl echoed in the room. The Harper family's servants exchanged looks but stayed put. Without Brenna's instructions, none of them would bring food to the Barrett family members

Brenna acted like she hadn't heard a thing. She tilted her head and said, "How could that be? Just a few days ago, I heard the Wagner family gave your company a huge order. It should be enough to keep you afloat for a whole year." Alec let out a heavy sigh and said with regret, "It was that order that ruined us. We accepted it without realizing our machines were too outdated to handle the advanced components. When we couldn't meet the specs, the client accused us of delaying their production and demanded compensation. We were already struggling. Where were we supposed to find that kind of money to compensate the client?"

Looking utterly broken, he continued, "In the end, we had to mortgage the company just to cover the compensation. If we hadn't paid, the client would've dragged us to court, and I'd be sitting in a jail cell by now." He spoke as though his situation deserved sympathy, but Brenna just leaned back on the sofa and even laughed. This pushed Alec over the edge. Enraged, he said to Brenna sharply, "Brenna, how can you be so heartless? The Barrett Group is gone. The company was mortgaged, and even our house was seized. We have nothing left now! Since getting kicked out yesterday, we haven't eaten or had a sip of water. And you just sit there, laughing Aren't you gonna help us get the company and the house back?" Ruby couldn't hold back any longer. She jabbed a finger in Brenna's direction and snapped, "We raised you all these years, and this is what we get in return? Where's your conscience? Can't you see we're starving? You won't even offer us a meal? You're so ungrateful!" Brenna raised an eyebrow. "Conscience? Do you actually know what that is? I always thought you didn't have one."

Ruby let out a cold snort, still looking arrogant. She said, "We raised you for twenty years. We fed you and clothed you. Now that we're in trouble you should helpus. With the Harper family's power, getting bac Barrett Group and the house would be easy. Brenna, it's tyou paid us back for what we did for you She narrowed her eyes as she added, "You wouldn't want to be seen as someone ungrateful, right?" 1814 < The Phantom Heiress Rising From The Shadows