Chapter 9 Return My Right
988 Words
In the evening, I pushed open Irene's door, and the room hit me with a stifling heaviness.
The curtains were drawn shut, with only a few stray beams of sunlight sneaking through the gaps, tracing faint columns of light in the dust-filled air.
Irene sat in that heavy leather armchair, almost blending into the dim, oppressive room. Her eyes were filled with exhaustion and anger, but when she saw me, she forced herself to put on a proud and defiant front.
I didn't waste time but drop the folder I was holding onto the table in front of her.
"These are all the Buren family's business records and the account passwords," I said curtly.
Her face turned white as a sheet, while a flicker of panic flashed in her eyes. However, she quickly composed herself and forced a calm, disdainful tone. "What's this supposed to mean?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm done with the Buren family's business. I'm returning every right I have to you now."
"Have you really thought this through?"
I let out a cold laugh and asked her, "Do you think I have any other choice?"
"You're digging your own grave, Nola."
"No, the ones digging their grave are the Burens. The business is yours, but I'm taking back every cent I invested."
She shot up from her chair, the sound of it scraping against the floor shrill and harsh. "You ungrateful woman! Our family gave you everything, and this is how you repay us?"
"You gave me everything?" I sneered at her. "You must be mistaken. I gave everything to your family. Now, I'm just taking back what's mine."
"You can't do this! Sean won't agree!"
"Oh? Then feel free to ask him," I replied calmly. "But I think he's probably busy planning his wedding with Aliya right now."
Irene's face flickered with uncertainty, and she knew full well that she had no cards left to play. Finally, she slumped back into her chair, picked up the folder, and flipped through it with shaky hands.
I stood there and watched her trembling fingers turn each page. The sunlight filtering through her fingers cast patchy shadows across the papers, as if foreshadowing the dark days ahead for the Buren family.
At last, she signed the final document.
"Are you happy now?" she spat through gritted teeth.
I didn't answer but calmly gathered the papers, turned around, and headed for the door.
"You'll regret this, Nola Olley!" she shouted after me. "You're a nobody without the Buren family!"
I paused my steps, glanced back at her, and said, "I'm always Nola, no matter where I go. As for the Buren family, you might soon be nothing more than a name in some dusty old book."
With that, I walked out, shutting her curses behind me.
In the hallway, Jack and Mila were anxiously waiting.
"Nola, how did it go?" Mila asked.
"Everything went smoothly," I replied calmly. "Get things ready; we're leaving."
Mila nodded and followed behind me as we walked down the long hallway. The expensive decor on both sides glittered, but I knew soon enough, all of it would be sold off.
To fund Sean and Aliya's wedding, they'd have no choice but to start selling their assets.
As night fell, the Buren family was far from quiet. I stood in the courtyard, looking up at the light still burning on the second floor. That was Irene's room, and the sound of a heated argument drifted down.
I exhaled a soft sigh and turned to leave. Just then, a gust of wind carried snatches of their conversation to me.
"How could you let her take all the money? That's the lifeblood of our family!" Irene's sharp voice pierced the night air.
"What was I supposed to do? It's all her money!" Sean's voice was full of frustration and anger.
"Her money? She married you; that makes her part of the Buren family! How can she just do this to us?"
I couldn't help but smirk bitterly. To them, I was never a person but just an endless ATM.
"What's the point of bringing this up now?" Sean's voice had dropped to a low murmur. "We need to figure out how to raise money. The wedding can't be postponed."
"Raise money? Do you think money just falls from the sky?" Irene's voice grew even shriller. "We can't even afford the servants' salaries for this month!"
"Let's sell more stuff!" Sean suddenly shouted, "Sell the house, the antiques, or whatever we have!"
A stunned silence followed, filled only with the sound of ragged breathing. I could picture Irene's shocked expression.
"W-What did you just say?" Irene's voice shook as she asked, "You want to sell the house?"
"What else can we do?" Sean's voice was laced with frustration. "Either sell some stuff or cancel the wedding. Your call."
Another heavy silence fell. I stood quietly in the shadows, waiting for their decision.
"Fine..." Irene finally gave in, but her voice dripped with bitterness. "But remember, this is all because of that b***h! If it weren't for her—"
"Enough!" Sean cut her off. "What's the point of blaming her now? We need to focus on getting through this."
I turned and left, feeling something I couldn't quite put into words. Was it relief? The thrill of revenge? Or maybe, just a touch of pity? I didn't know, and I didn't care to figure it out.
Back at my place, Mila had already packed our bags.
"Nola, are we really just leaving like this?" she asked cautiously.
I glanced out the window at the moonlight and spoke with ease, "Of course not. There's still a show for us tomorrow. I made a splash when I arrived; I'm not leaving quietly."
Mila nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
That night, the light in Irene's room stayed on all night.
As for me, I slept like a baby.
- Writer
