Blood and Inheritance의 모든 챕터: 챕터 1 - 챕터 9

Late that night, the company group chat blew up. Word had spread that I had returned to the country. Everyone was speculating that I’d returned to clean house at the firm.After all, two years ago, when the company was at its peak, I had suddenly stepped away, retreating abroad to recover. I hadn’t set foot back since.For those two years, my mind never strayed far from Lila. I ignored every message from the executives. The moment my plane landed, my heart was set. I rushed straight home.By the time I arrived, it was already deep into the night. Lila had just come back from work.Overjoyed, I grabbed her hand, only to feel the calluses covering her palms. They were rough and hardened, nothing like the hands a girl her age should have.She threw her arms around me, her voice trembling. "Mom, you’re not leaving again, right? You’ll stay this time? You’ll stay home with me?"My chest tightened. She was twenty now, a grown woman, but she clung to me like a frightened child. The ligh

Her shameless defiance made me furious, yet it was almost laughable at the same time.What burned me more was the way the bodyguards dropped their heads the moment she snapped at them. Clearly, they’d been bullied by this girl more than once.I was about to explode when Adrian walked in. He sensed the tension instantly and barked, "Claire Ashford, why are you stooping to argue with a child? It’s not like this family is broke. So what if Serena buys a few outfits?"The second he spoke, Serena lifted her chin smugly, her eyes glinting with open provocation.Fine. No more pretending. She wanted to show her true colors? Then, let’s go all the way."I eat what my dad pays for, and I spend what my dad gives me. It has nothing to do with you! You take care of your daughter, and leave me the hell alone!" With that, she spun on her heel, ready to storm upstairs.I lunged forward, grabbed her arm, and yanked her back a step."This house doesn’t answer to you. Pack your things and get out.

Rachel trembled all over, barely daring to breathe as she rushed to start the car.Inside the vehicle, it was just the three of us, the silence so heavy it pressed on the chest.At last, Rachel spoke, her voice breaking with tears, "Mrs. Ashford, thank God you’re back! Serena runs wild in this house. Mr. Ashford spoils her beyond belief. She didn’t just break my fingers. She’s left the other guards beaten and crippled. Some of them can’t even walk without crutches now…"So that explained why half our security team had vanished. Serena had grown this brazen.Influenced by my past, Adrian always believed fighting and injuries were no big deal. After all, I’d once been the one to clean up the messes.However, that was more than a decade ago.Now we lived in a society governed by law. Every crime had consequences. That was why I’d washed my hands of the underworld.The car sped through the city and soon reached the hospital.I took Lila through every department for a full examinati

The police came over to verify the evidence. I handed them Lila’s medical reports along with the surveillance footage from our home."Officers, please," I said firmly. "You must stand up for my daughter. With these injuries—both physical and psychological—the evidence is undeniable."They nodded gravely, but Adrian suddenly lunged forward like a madman, snatching the evidence from their hands."They’re both my daughters! They were just playing around! My wife is blowing things out of proportion. I’m withdrawing the case. We’re not pressing charges against Serena!"I shoved him aside and yanked up Lila’s sleeve. "Playing around? Do these look like playful injuries to you? Our daughter has been tortured into madness, and not once have you shown an ounce of care. All you think about is your bastard child!"From the wheelchair, Margaret began gesturing frantically again. Robert lost control, rushing forward and punching Adrian squarely in the face."When Serena was two, you dumped he