Chapter 3
My words plunged the group into silence once more.
When I claimed ownership of Swift Manor, they didn’t believe me.
After all, they firmly believed that someone capable of running a place like this must have an impressive background–certainly not someone like me, who came from humble beginnings.
But the phone call I had jus
made? That, they believed.
They all knew I had made my fortune in the gaming industry.
Jace Arden froze for a moment, his voice trembling as he asked, “You–you’re saying the company we’ve been working with is one of your subsidiaries? But why couldn’t I find anything about it?”
“My company’s equity structure is very complex. Did you think you could uncover it so easily?”
I sneered coldly.
Elsie Alison retorted sharply, “Rachel Swift, have you thought about the consequences of your actions? What you’re doing is essentially offending our entire circle!”
Troy Kayden, who had been silent until now, suddenly straightened up, his tone firm. “Rachel, stop .this. I won’t allow you to target my friends!”
“Troy, keep your mouth shut.”
I looked at him icily. “If I weren’t absolutely certain that you once loved me, your company would’ve been gone already!”
“What? My company?”
Troy looked dumbfounded.
I glanced at him and said, “Your cosmetics company doesn’t even have a decent product. Do you think anyone would invest in it? Do you really believe angel investors are actual angels? That’s Venture capital! Who else would invest in you but me? I didn’t tell you because I knew how much pride you take in yourself. I didn’t want to crush you.”
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was completely at a loss, his face a mixture of confusion and disbelief.
Elsie, however, dismissed my words with indifference.
“Rachel, do you think ruining our businesses means you’ve won? Even without businesses, we still have our social standing and connections that span generations. What do you have besides your money? Now that you’ve touched our livelihoods, I can easily make yours disappear.”
Troy pleaded again, “Rachel, stop this nonsense. Listen to me–don’t go after Jace.”
I smiled faintly. “You started this game, and I accepted the challenge. Don’t think you can end it so
easily.”
At that moment, Elsie’s phone rang.
She glanced at the screen, her eyes lighting up with excitement. She shot me a smug look before answering the call and putting it on speaker.
“Uncle Leonardo, are you here? We’ve been waiting for you. We’re counting on you to introduce us to the mysterious owner of Swift Manor.”
A middle–aged man’s voice came through the line.
Almost there. Just hurry up and get over here, don’t drag your feet. Today, no matter what it takes, you’ve got to secure the owner of Swift Manor for us. I really like that little lady!”
It was clear he had forgotten to hang up after his last sentence.
Elsie put away her phone with a triumphant smile, looking at me with even greater arrogance.
“Did you hear that? Ares Leonardo from River City’s Leonardo family is on his way. He’s a close- friend of Swift Manor’s owner, and from the sound of it, he’s about to become the owner’s father–in–law. What do you have to fight against me?”
“That’s impossible.”
I waved my hand dismissively, my demeanor calm. “Ares Leonardo and I do get along well, but his son? Not my type–too wild. Besides, I’m still married, aren’t I?”
My words triggered another round of laughter.
But I didn’t care in the slightest. Their narrow–mindedness kept them blind to the bigger picture. Troy Kayden quietly approached me, bending down to whisper in my ear, “Please, Rachel, stop this.
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Don’t cause any more trouble–they really can take everything from you.”
turned my head, looking into the face that was so close to mine.
He was just as handsome as the day I first met him, his eyes filled with worry.
But could I still trust him?
The truth was, I wasn’t upset about Troy washing Elsie Allson’s feet–I was angry at the way he
treated me.
Like his circle of friends, he carried the same prejudices toward someone like me, who came from a modest background.
That constant air of superiority, as if they were untouchable “chosen ones,” was something I deeply
loathed.
Perhaps even without today’s incident, Troy and I would’ve ended up divorced sooner or later.
I was almost grateful for this turning point. It allowed me to end a mistaken relationship sooner rather than later.
At that moment, two figures approached along the corridor.
