The Phantom Heiress: Rising From The Shadows

family's reside

rling glasses of champagne as they exchanged pleasantries. A towering banner

attic on the third floor, Brenna

her, an envelope in his hand. He set it down gently b

are of one more person isn't a burden. If you ask me, you should stay. Your mom and I will treat you no differently than before. But if you're determined to leave, I

than a thousand dollars. Without a hint of hesitation, she pushed it back toward Ale

mpt to make her stay. Persuading her to sta

e daughter Ruby Barrett had lost-a child stolen from the hospital the day she was born. Drowning in gr

than name. She had spent her childhood in hand-me-downs from discount racks,

al flair for design. Even her casual sketches outshone thos

ool. She had become their hidden asset, locked away to draft blueprints for car parts

never had the means to throw this lavish welcome party for their biologi

didn't want to keep Brenna anymore. The Barretts were eager

oved the envelope

ur only uncle is bedridden, unable to care for himself. They live in a struggling village-barely making ends meet. They don't have the luxury to c

her bag and placed it on the tab

d Ruby's biological daughter, slipping some

black backpack over one shoulder and stro

me no gratitude at all. I housed and fed her for twenty years, and she didn't have a single w

hed school and was thrown into social circles at ten. How could she possibly have proper manners? She's walking away from a p

ist to stop her. "Why bother? She's

na has treated me well. This might be the last time we ever see

little shake, her eyes twinkling. "Be

after Brenna, Alec and

et as she lightly jogged forward. "You're leaving so

Inside lay a white jade bracelet, its surface smoot

ecognized the bracelet's good qualit

as she said, "No, t

ou should take it. I spent over a hundred thousand on this bracelet. If things e

abella snapped the box shut and tuck

laimed, "Miss Barrett, terrible news! The engag