MainNovelChapter 401: Downstairs, the Harper family was nowhere to be seen. The servants lingered in the corners, clearly amused by the situation. Swere even snickering behind their hands. No one had bothered to offer the Barretts a drink or the slightest gesture of hospitality.
The entire Barrett family was present; Alec, Ruby, Mack, and Isabella were all there.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBrenna couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of them. Alec and Mack looked like they'd been through a street brawl. Both had bruised faces, and their suits were ripped in several places, revealing rumpled, sweat-stained shirts underneath.
Their clothes were filthy, streaked with sunknown liquid that had dried and crusted. Their lips were cracked and peeling at the edges, as if they hadn't had a sip of water in days.
Alec seemed to have aged ten years. He had more grey hair now, and deep lines had carved themselves into his face.
Ruby and Isabella didn't look any better. Though they weren't bruised, dirt smudged their cheeks, and their hair was matted and greasy.
The four of them, aware of how awful they looked, didn't even attempt to sit. They stood stiffly in the center of the living room. Ruby and Isabella had red, swollen eyes—the kind that cfrom crying.
"What exactly happened to you?" Brenna settled comfortably onto the sofa. The laughter she tried to hold back still slipped through.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAlec's and Mack's faces darkened with anger. Brenna's amusement only added fuel to the fire burning in their chests.
"The Barrett Group is bankrupt!" Alec finally choked out. His voice shook, and tears ran down his face. Suddenly, a loud stomach growl echoed in the room. The Harper family's servants exchanged looks but stayed put. Without Brenna's instructions, none of them would bring food to the Barrett family members. Brenna acted like she hadn't heard a thing. She tilted her head and said, "How could that be? Just a few days ago, I heard the Wagner family gave your company a huge order. It should be enough to keep you afloat for a whole year." New chapters now on g@lnovesAlec let out a heavy sigh and said with regret, "It was that order that ruined us. We accepted it without realizing our machines were too outdated to handle the advanced components. When we couldn't meet the specs, the client accused us of delaying their production and demanded compensation. We were already struggling. Where were we supposed to find that kind of money to compensate the client?" Looking utterly broken, he continued, "In the end, we had to mortgage the company just to cover the compensation. If we hadn't paid, the client would've dragged us to court, and I'd be sitting in a jail cell by now." He spoke as though his situation deserved sympathy, but Brenna just leaned back on the sofa and even laughed.
This pushed Alec over the edge. Enraged, he said sharply to Brenna, "Brenna, how can you be so heartless? The Barrett Group is gone. The company was mortgaged, and even our house was seized. We have nothing left now! Since getting kicked out yesterday, we haven't eaten or had a sip of water. And you just sit there, laughing. Aren't you going to help us get the company and the house back?"
Ruby couldn't hold back any longer.
She jabbed a finger in Brenna's direction and snapped, "We raised you all these years, and this is what ΕΠ we get in return? Where's your conscience? Can't you see we're starving? You won't even offer us a meal? You're so ungrateful!"
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
