The Phantom Heiress Rising From The Shadows

Chapter 249 Your Mother And I Will Manage The...

Ellie's expression darkened at her family's uninvited arrival. These were her closest blood relatives, yet when she had been pregnant with Jayceon's child, they had turned their backs on her.

At that time, Jayceon's parents refused to let her live with them. She had been forced to return to her own home, but her family had only treated her with rejection.

Her parents and brother had branded her unwed pregnancy as shameful, driving her away with harsh orders, telling her never to return.

During those first grueling years in Norview, there had been no calls from them, no financial support. They had let her struggle in a foreign land, fighting for survival on her own.

She had convinced herself that her family meant nothing to her. That was why she hadn't informed them when she had cback this time.

Yet now, they had cto her.

Years of pent-up bitterness erupted. "What are you doing here?" Ellie demanded, her eyes blazing. "You're not welchere." Tori snapped, her voice dripping with disdain, "Ungrateful wretch! After all we invested in you, how could you say something like that to us?" She then marched toward the table, grabbing Patrick's arm roughly.

Brenna had heard Ellie's stories but had never grasped the full extent of her family's cruelty. The elders' greedy sneers confirmed to her that they were not good people at all.

In one smooth motion, Brenna positioned herself protectively between Patrick and the intruders.

Patrick watched silently as the strangers appraised his hlike inspectors, their eyes roaming with entitlement.

"They are your grandparents," Brenna said to Patrick carefully, her gaze locking onto Tori's.

Noticing Brenna's polished appearance, Tori's tone shifted. "You must be Ellie's friend?" she asked politely. "Yes. I'm Brenna Harper," Brenna confirmed curtly, maintaining basic politeness despite the tension.

Tori's eyes narrowed as they raked over Patrick. Then, she hissed at Ellie, "You kept the bastard? What were you thinking? How will you ever marry someone now?" Meanwhile, Leif and Hank wandered through the apartment, visibly impressed. "This apartment will do nicely," Hank announced. "Angela and I will take it after the wedding." Leif looked like he owned the place. "This place is adequate for newlyweds. With this space, Angela should have no reason to refuse to marry you," Hank began snapping photos of every corner. "I will let Angela see this place." His phone captured Ellie's private spaces, including her bedroom and bathroom, invading her privacy. Ellie's anger flared as she snatched Hank's phone from him. "What do you think you're doing?" Tori, in a flash, unleashed a torrent of reprimands. "Stop yelling. We have every blessed right to everything here! You vanished post-graduation, not sending ha dime. Did we nurture you all these years for nothing? After the mountain of money we poured into your education, you have to repay us. Hank is about to get married. Since he and his girlfriend are both working in Shirie, you can give this place to them. Consider it as a repayment. You should move out quickly." Hank just laughed, reclaiming his phone to continue showing off to his girlfriend. "You're all mistaken," Ellie said, her voice a low growl. "This isn't my property; it's my friend's. You have no right to claim this place as your own." The family exchanged incredulous glances, eyes wide as saucers. "Stop lying!" Hank spat, his voice laced with venom. "Everyone knows you're a famous designer now. You can make tens of millions a year. How could this place not be yours? You're just being an ungrateful person for not wanting to give this place to us. How dare you not repay Mom and Dad after all they've done for you?" His face contorted, a mask of aggression.

Tori and Leif settled onto the sofa, a picture of entitlement. Leif declared, "You've turned your back on us for years. Now that you're swimming in money, you should buy us a house, and another for Hank. That's fair, right? And I believe you don't need so much money as a woman. Once you're married, your money will becsomeone else's family's!" Brenna, not wanting to meddle in Ellie's family affairs, guided Patrick to his room, shielding him from the scene. Ellie faced her parents, her gaze unwavering. "I already told you-this place belongs to my friend, Brenna. You just met her."

Tori's eyes narrowed to slits. "Stop trying to fool us. Just tellif you are rich or not. Aren't you a famous designer now?" "Fine. I've earned smoney over the years," Ellie admitted.

Tori's face underwent a miraculous transformation, a smile as fake as a m three-dollar bill spread across her lips as she pulled she pulled Ellie onto the couch. That's my girl. Now, you'll support us financially. We don't ask for much. You just need to buy two houses, one forand your father, one for Hank. And you need to give us s money."

Leif spoke with authority. "Listen here, Ellie. Raising you was no picnic, and your college education bled us dry. Here's the deal-keep twenty En thousand for yourself and give the rest of your savings to us. Your mother and I will manage the money for you." Ellie, her voice as cold as ice, replied, "That's not going to happen." "Don't be so ungrateful!" Tori shrieked, pinching Ellie's arm with force. "We have raised you! You'd rather give 16.32