บททั้งหมดของ The Disowned Heiress : บทที่ 21 - บทที่ 30

“Yes. I just remembered.” Came Gavin’s voice as everyone turned to him. He straightened slightly, as if proud of the thought suddenly flashing through his mind. “When we brought Julia back, it was at the barbecue stand. Back then I thought she was just working there. Turns out her adoptive dad owns the place.” He concluded with a laugh, loud and careless, as though he had just uncovered something amusing rather than humiliating.The laugh echoed off the hall walls, stirring more whispers among the crowd. Some guests exchanged glances of shock. Others simply folded their arms, unsure how much of what they were hearing was truth or spite.“Gotta hand it to Bella,” Elliot said, wearing a mocking smirk. His tone oozed sarcasm. “She saw through them right away. If her adoptive family actually had money, why would one be a janitor, one run a barbecue stall, and one work as some lowly waiter?” He let out a laugh—short, crude, and meant to be hurtful.Bosco chimed in, leaning forward slight

Gavin’s fingers trembled as he unfolded the paper again, the creased document like a weight he could not put down. He tried to steady his breath but could not. Around him, the living room felt too small for the noise and the truth that wanted to spill. Bosco moved before anyone could think; his hand shot out, and he snatched the letter from Gavin’s grip. The paper tore under his fingers in a quick, angry motion, the white fragments falling like small pale insects across the polished floor.“Dad, Julia was just acting out,” Bosco said, dismissive and quick, as if an explanation could erase what had already happened. “She’s not serious about this. How could you go along with her nonsense? Just give her another chance.”Gavin kicked the leg of the chair beside him. The gesture was sudden and ridiculous, like the movement of a man trying to find an argument in his own body. He sighed and turned his face away. No words came. The room waited for the sound of a decision that would not ar

Everywhere went quiet for a moment. The air was still, and it wasn’t silence born out of peace — it was the kind that settles after something shocking lands in the center of a room. Conversations paused. Footsteps halted. Even those who pretended not to be paying attention turned slightly, trying to catch every new word.Sheldon turned slowly to face Julia. His expression softened the moment his eyes found hers, the tension easing from his shoulders. “Julia, was that too much?” he asked, resting his hand gently on her shoulder.Julia lifted her face to him, about to respond, but Sheldon shook his head lightly before she could speak.“Forget it,” he said, letting out a small breath. “I’ll let them off the hook for your sake. After all, they’re your blood relatives.”He looked away and raised his phone slightly, his thumb already moving to redial the number. His posture made it clear he was ready to undo what he had just done, not because he felt he had gone too far, but because of h

Sheldon stood with his hands still folded behind his back, completely calm while the Reynolds continued laughing among themselves. He darted his gaze from Gavin to Julia, then slowly back to Gavin, as if confirming something silently. After a brief moment, he nodded once.“Alright,” he said simply. The casual tone in his voice made a few people frown, unsure if he was joking or serious. “You get your wish.”Gavin smirked, proud of himself. Megan folded her arms. Bosco let out a quiet laugh. Bella raised her chin slightly. Elliot shook his head as if Sheldon had just embarrassed himself.Sheldon barely reacted. He raised his left arm slightly and glanced at his wristwatch.“Five,” he said, beginning the countdown without expression.Megan exchanged a puzzled look with Bosco. Gavin scoffed. A few guests leaned in, trying to see where the drama was going.“Four.”Megan let out a short laugh. Elliot shook his head again, convinced Sheldon was only trying to put on a show. Bella rolled

“Fine,” Oslo Hudson Hurst and Margaret said at the same time, their laughter starting up again the moment Julia finished speaking. They laughed like people who had been holding a joke for too long and finally had the chance to release it. Oslo wiped a tear from the corner of his eye and turned around to point at the cars behind them — the polished, intimidating SUVs parked in a straight proud line.“You mean these are rental cars?” Oslo asked, as if repeating it out loud would help him process how ridiculous the idea sounded. The moment the words fell out of his mouth, the laughter resumed again, louder than before, their voices echoing across the parking lot.Julia blinked. “Yes. I mean… I thought—”“Julia is seriously so thoughtful,” Oslo said, struggling to catch his breath as he chuckled again. “Look, your mom and I are not the kind of people who fake it just to show off. We don’t care about keeping up appearances. Not even a little.”Margaret nodded, still releasing small burs