Chapter 7.~. Old scores settled.

Scarlet’s POV ~

My shoulders sagged and a deep sigh escaped my lips as I glanced at Jade's contemptuous gaze which stirred up old memories.

Her grip on my arm tightened as she spoke, “You're so shameless and brazen, trying to flaunt like you're the queen of the night!”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat as her words stung harder, and it took all of my self control to keep my temper in check.

Jasmine crossed her arm, the soft folds of her fabric gently slipping off her shoulders.

Taking a step towards me, she scoffed, her voice firm and menacing. “Why the hell did you return here, Scarlett? We thought you left the surface of the earth but now… you're back, acting all mighty like some sort of royalty.”

“Who do you think you are, urh? A celebrity?” Jade taunted, her snicker laced with mockery.

“I bet she must have planned all these years to show up at the gala and ball our lungs out with the fake news of her being McKenzie’s granddaughter.. What a showoff. It's high time she knows that she doesn't belong here!” Jasmine chuckled, as her gaze drifted towards Jade who nodded with a fierce glint in her eyes, ready to back her up.

What a pair of douchebags!

I thought as I watched them, thinking of ways to lash at them but all I did was maintain a calm facade.

I had to do it.

I had to keep my anger in check because of my reputation. I care less if they doubt my status as the Scott's heiress… I was expecting them to, anyway.

Ripping my hand off Jade's grip, I shot defiantly, “It's your choice if you choose to believe it or not. Talking back to you is a waste of my time!”

Color drained from their faces with gasps escaping their lips.

They were shocked by my unprecedentedly rude tone.

I've always been a doormat for them, absorbing every insult, but not anymore.

I'm back for two things – Revenge and my son, who was taken away from me.

My daughter's face brightened as I made my way towards her. Ethan looked up and got on his feet, his eyes lingering on my features.

“Mommy, this man saved me from falling.” Emily mumbled cutely as she clasped her tiny hands around mine.

Her pretty doe eyes, innocent smile, and childlike wonder masked a depth of resilience.

My hands balled into a fist. If only she had known that same man was her father.

If only she knew that the same man discarded her at birth.

Ethan gulped hard as he dipped his hand in his pocket, his posture relaxed and measured.

His throat worked as if to say something, but not a single word came out of his mouth.

“He caught me when I fell, mom. Can you buy him a treat for being so nice?” Emily asked nicely, her eyes twinkling like there were hidden stars in it.

Squatting in front of her, I ran my fingers into her and smiled, “We should go.”

Getting on my feet, I ambled towards her nanny, Elsa, but I noticed Emily stealing frequent glances at Ethan.

My chest tightened. I wondered what he must have said to her.

Smiling, I rumpled Emily's hair and spoke softly, “Emily. I'll be right back. Do not leave your nanny's side, okay?”

I exhaled deeply as she nodded in understanding.

Fiddling my arms, I could feel anxiety gnaw at my chest as Ethan's gaze sized me up once more.

All I needed was a place to cool my mind from the swirling thoughts and emotions.

Before taking quick steps out of the hall, I took a quick glance toward Dylan who was still surrounded by many guests.

Today's event must be all about judging by how there were too many people who wanted to be noticed by him.

I was in a haste to leave so I didn't notice some idiots walking right towards me at that moment.

Before I could reach for the doorknob, I felt a cold splash on my back. I spun around, shocked to see Charlotte with a cup in her hand, a smirk on her face.

“Oops,” She said, her voice dripping with malice. “Long time no see, sister.”

Crossing her arm, she sneered as she gazed at me from head to toe.

Shifting her gaze to her mom, she taunted, “Mom. Don't you see? It's Scarlett. She's back..”

My eyes narrowed, breath coming out in short bursts.

I gazed at the drop of wine that she spilled on my dress. The stain spread slowly, like the anger rising in me.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Charlotte?” I demanded, shooting her a glare, my voice rising an octave higher.

She snickered as she dropped the wine glass on a passing tray, her eyes glinting with malice.

“Nothing is wrong with me. I'm just so surprised to see you. You've - you've changed a lot–” She said, her tone dripping with condensation.

Her mom, Mrs Harper, smirked, her polished nails brushing the invitation card.

She assessed me from head to toe with a fake smile.

“It seems she's starting to fit in the crowd now–” Mrs Harper spoke in a mocking tone.

Charlotte's next words intensified the rage in me and I curled my hands at both sides, biting the nails into my palms.

“Who knows if she's probably snooping around and sleeping with wealthy men just to get to this height? After all she wasn't faithful to Ethan and was the cause of their divorce.”

My face reddened as Mrs Harper chimed in. “Her infidelity and love for wealthy things caused a rift between two best friends. Little wonder she couldn't stay with us anymore. She wants rich men who would feed her and cater to her every whim, no matter the cost.”

Her words stabbed harder, twisting the pain I thought I'd long overwhelmed.

Their gazes lingered on my outfit, their expression insinuating that I'd traded one rich man to another.

It's been five fucking years since I last saw them and this is how they treat me like the years apart meant nothing?

And what did Mrs Harper say about me leaving them because of my desire for luxurious things?

What a scumbag she is! Have she forgotten they sent me out after announcing that I was adopted?

Not wanting to banter words with them, I simply took in a deep breath and spoke in a low tone. “I don't care if you have a thousand and one things to say to me. I don't care what your perspective is of me but one thing I know for sure is that I'm no longer the scarlet you once knew.”

“What in the world is wrong with you?! Are you dumb as well as stupid?! How dare you talk to my mom that way!” Charlotte yelled loudly at me, causing me to jolt to a halt.

She gripped my arm and sneered, “Have you forgotten we fed you and took you in when you had nowhere to stay! You should be grateful to us at the very least!”

“I never begged your parents to feed me. And I never pleaded with them to adopt me!” I snapped as I yanked my hand out of her grasp, my blood boiling in rage.

Mrs Harper's cheeks flushed bright red with rage. “I see you haven't changed a bit, Scarlett. You're just as shameless as ever!”

“You're so despicable, Scarlett!” Charlotte fumed as she reached for another wineglass, wanting to empty it on me.

I smirked. They're clueless. If they had heard the introduction about me being the Scott’s heiress, they'd be trembling by now. Guess they slipped in late.

Such fools.

As Charlotte was about to empty a cup of wine on me, a guard caught her hand in a firm grip.

“Do you have any clue who you're dealing with?!” The guard voiced out, his eyes flashing with warning.

Charlotte's face twisted in rage as she scoffed, her jaw tightening.

“And who are you to stop me or question what I'm about to do?!” She snapped at the guard, her voice laced with venom.

“Miss, you're —-” The guard stopped mid-sentence at the gesture I made from my hand, a subtle signal to silence him

I don't need him telling them about my identity. It would be fun to see them find out by themselves.

Mrs Harper sneered, her eyes darting at our faces.

She was about to say something when I leaned closer with a smirk. “In order to repay the efforts you've put into raising me, I'll be transferring a million dollars to your account. Consider it compensation for your….. parenting.”

My smirk deepened as I spun around to leave, my heels clacking on the polished tiles.

I could feel their heated gaze on my back

They're probably shocked and confused, and I loved the stunned silence that followed.

This is just the beginning for both the Harpers and the Blackwoods.

As I stepped out of the hall, the chill night air hit me, but I barely noticed.

Just before I could take another step forward, a hand pulled me to a corner, trapping

me to a spot.

I gasped and my chest tightened when I discovered it was Ethan.

“Wh- what are you up to?!” I asked through gritted teeth, my voice barely above a whisper.