Chapter 5 Insolent Brat.

After successfully taking back the ownership of the company, Alexandra was on the way to somewhere.

As her phone beeped, a news poped up before her eyes.

The signal of engagement?!

It was said that the rising actress Octavia Barrette would get engaged with a mysterious CEO in a week, as someone had witnessed they were picking engagement rings at the shop.

Though the photo didn't show the full face of the man, Alexandra could also recognize his identity at once.

It was the man who she had called husband for 5 years, Lucien Albrecht.

Barely a week after she signed their divorce papers, her so-called ex husband was flaunting his new relationship.

‘See, Ariadne. Your marriage really meant nothing to him, didn't it?

Her gaze was hurt at first but soon darkened with disdain, a new emotion that she had only recently discovered, an emotion that she never thought she could have for the man who she loved for years before.

Well, they were nothing but mere strangers now. She was Alexandra, and not Ariadne anymore.

And now she had other important business to deal with, the snakes in sheep clothing that now occupied her house.

So she didn’t have to give any fucks about his remarriage.

But why, her heart was still hurt as if it was clenching?

***

On the other side, a war raged inside the four walls of the well known Grey Manor,

Saying it was a war, it was rather the silly temper tantrum of a forty eight years old man. Benjamin Grey, Alexandra’s uncle, was livid after he learned of his ‘Niece’s’ sudden return.

After so many tries at getting a successor-ship over Grey Enterprise, today could have been the perfect shot.

He hadn't attended the company for some days on purpose. After all, the more the company sank, the more a strong leader will be needed. And he would be the best choice.

Yet, it was all ruined by someone who he thought had died all those years ago.

“…That Illegitimate ingrate!” Benjamin cursed out as he flung his empty wine glass at the nearest wall, coincidentally, that happened to be where his precious daughter Vivian stood.

The newly turned adult flinched as shards of glass flew past her, only getting a single scrape on her cheek thanks to a stray piece.

‘What a useless old man.’ Vivian thought, pissed by the fact that her model face now had an injury on it. All her father was good at was getting himself drunk and losing his temper.

If this old man had acted earlier, the company would have already belonged to them.

Vivian sneered silently while her father was distracted with picking out a new wine. Rolling her icy blue orbs, she decided to push her father one more time.

“Father, please don't call Sister Alex like that. "Her voice sounded with as much compassion and tenderness, which could fool many naive people including her father.

"Having lost her parents, she must be lonely and need our help." Walking around those nasty shards of glass, Vivian stepped forward to remind her father. However, the old man could not get her point as always.

“Vivian, I’ve told you so many times that she is not your Sister! That orphan is not related to any of us by blood!” Benjamin lectured his twenty one year old daughter like a kid.

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

A sound of clapping resounded from the huge oak entrance door, causing the father and daughter duo to end their little show.

"Wow, what n interesting family show!"

Alexandra Grey rooted by the door, with her arms folded and aura full of elegance and pride, which was not the thing they could feel from that past girl.

That girl who would cower at even the sound of her own uncle’s voice, now is different.

'Why did they fail to kill her?'

Collecting her mind and putting on her innocent mask, Vivian rushed towards Alexandra, “Sister…”

Yet before she could begin her perfect recite, the blonde had thrown her a look of disgust and disapproval, which stopped her unconsciously.

Seeing the return of his niece, Benjamin tried his best to calm his temper, stepping forward like a good uncle. “Alexandra, my dear, welcome back!”

Looking at that unnatural smiling face, Alexandra couldn’t stop scoffing.

Truly, everyone in her family were clowns.

Unfolding her arms, Alexandra moved forward, ignoring their fake expressions and stopped on the seat which belonged to the owner.

“Welcome me back? Are you sure that’s the case?”

Her sudden comment with irony caught both the father and daughter off guard, and Benjamin felt beads of sweat building on his forehead.

'It's impossible for her to know all the truth.'

Quickly, he stepped forward and answered. “Of course Alexandra, who wouldn’t be happy to see their own family safe and well?”

“Family?” Alexandra sneered, declining to comment but examining the house. Much had changed since the last time she had been here.

The once bright wall painting had been substituted with rather dark coloring, giving the house an unwelcoming aura she dislikes. Her mother’s beautiful collection of flower vases that she clearly remembered being placed in a corner was now nowhere to be seen, the spot being occupied by cheap bags and show off accessories she could only guess belonged to Vivian.

Alexandra clicked her tongue in distaste as she felt anger slowly making its way to the surface of her smooth demeanor.

How dare they convert her house as they wish! While she was still alive!

Not noticing that, Benjamin cleared his throat and started his topic, “Alex my dear, concerning the company, you're still too young to run it well. Why don’t you…”

“Shut up for a second!” Alexandra raised her hand as she turned her attention back to her uncle, gaze dark and unyielding.

“All this…" She swirled her finger in the air, "Who gave you the audacity to convert my parent’s house? "

"And the company?" She chuckled, standing up straight and giving him a contemptuous look, "Why should I leave it to you incompetent morons?!"

“Alexandra, mind the way you speak to me, I am your uncle!” Benjamin was easily angered by her use of words.

“As if!” She retorted.

“Sister Alex, isn’t that too much?" Vivian came to support her father with a pitiful face that she always used to fool others, "My father was just suggesting the best choice he thought.”

“Do you think you have a voice here?” In a displacing tone, Alexandra turned to the brunette, "This is my house!"

Turning her attention back on her uncle, Alexandra stepped forward, holding the elderly man’s gaze.

“You had no right to use my house!”

“Alexandra…!” Benjamin's eyes turned red with anger, yelling at the girl who he thought he could control forever.

“Don’t you dare to raise your voice at me in my house!” Alexandra fixed her posture and continued.

“I am the daughter of Miguel Grey, the rightful heir to Grey Enterprise, and the person who would call the shots in this family.

Considering we had once been so-called uncle and niece, I’ll give you sometime to pack your stuff. But after that, I don’t want to see your fucking ass in my house!"

“Do I make myself clear?” Alexandra sternly warned them at the end.

Benjamin’s jaws clenched in anger. But he knew that every single word which had just left Alexandra’s mouth was the complete truth.

She had more power over the Grey family than he did.

That was why he had to hire others to assassinate her at so much cost. But much to his dismay, failed.

Now, she was back, yet not the time to tear themselves apart with her.

For the time being, he would allow her to think she’s won.

“Sister Alex, don’t do this…” Seeing her father keep silent, Vivian tried to ‘reason’ with Alexandra from the back, but was instantly shut up by a stern glare of the blonde.

'How could she be so different now?' Vivian was stunned and couldn't help shrinking back.

“Leave your cousin out of this, Alexandra.” Benjamin spoke in a much calmer tone, trying to save his 'innocent' daughter.

“Well, now she’s my cousin again.” Alexandra crossed her arms as she turned her head around to face her uncle, her gaze dark with gibe.

Just a few minutes ago, he had stressed there was no blood relationship among them.

Such a vile scum, just like his other brothers.

Plotting different ways to end her life, spending her parents' money with no shame, and spreading false rumors about her.

Those debts, she would let them pay, one by one.

Enough of enjoying their expressions that dared not defy, Alexandra slowly walked upstairs and left an ultimatum.

"Before 12 this midnight, make my house back to what it should be."

"Or, I'll kick you out of the company tomorrow!"