Chapter 5: Return My Mother’s Belongings
910 Words
Evelyn emphasized the words “our family” heavily.
Liesel suddenly recalled seeing a photo on social media a few days ago: Charlotte attending a socialite gathering, wearing a ruby brooch on her chest.
That was her mother’s keepsake.
When Liesel moved out of that house, she was in a rush and didn’t manage to take all her mother’s belongings.
She never imagined that Evelyn and Charlotte would be so shameless as to claim her mother’s possessions as their own.
“I’m coming back right now,” Liesel said, then immediately hung up the phone and headed out.
Everything that once belonged to the White family, she would retrieve, piece by piece, on her mother’s behalf.
The once-grand White family mansion had now been renamed and stood as the Winters Villa.
As Liesel stepped through the door, Robert Winters greeted her eagerly, his face beaming.
Evelyn also changed her previously impatient tone from the phone, putting on a fake smile as she greeted her.
“What a surprise, Liesel! Come in and make yourself at home.”
Liesel ignored her, stepping inside. Evelyn suddenly frowned and exclaimed, “Hey! Your shoes are dirty, you’ve soiled my carpet!”
Liesel sneered, “Weren’t you meticulous in cleaning the carpets back when you were just the housekeeper here?”
Evelyn froze awkwardly.
Robert reached out and put his arm around Evelyn’s shoulder, giving Liesel a reproachful look. “It’s rare for the family to get together. Why bring up the past? Let’s not talk about it—come, join us for dinner.”
Liesel stopped in the living room and didn’t go any further, getting straight to the point.
“I’m not here for dinner. I want my mother’s brooch back.”
Evelyn’s expression tightened. “What brooch? I’ve never seen it.”
“The ruby brooch that your daughter Charlotte wore to the party last week—that was my mother’s. Return it to me now.”
Evelyn and Robert exchanged a glance. Robert spoke up, “The brooch is a minor issue. But we have something we’d like to discuss with you.”
“What is it?”
Robert began slowly, “Our business partner, Mr. Grace, has a son who is about your age, young and handsome. Although he has a disability, he is still an outstanding young man. You two would make a perfect match. If you marry him, it would be beneficial for both our families.”
Liesel stared at Robert, utterly shocked by his shamelessness.
She scoffed, her anger boiling over. “If this match is so perfect, why don’t you have Charlotte marry him?”
Evelyn chimed in, “Charlotte is publicly recognized as the eldest daughter of the Winters family now. Her marriage prospects are highly anticipated, so...”
“So she can’t marry the disabled son of a business partner, and I’m the one you’re offering up instead?”
Robert’s face turned cold. “I’m sorry you feel that way. You can leave, then.”
“Leave?” Liesel’s brow furrowed. “Give me my mother’s ruby brooch, and I’ll leave immediately!”
Robert laughed coldly as if he had heard something amusing. Evelyn pulled out a handkerchief, dabbing at her eyes in a show of false sympathy. “Liesel, I’m sorry, but the brooch is already lost. We’re also very saddened by it, but there’s nothing we can do. Unless someone is willing to consider the alliance with the Grace family, otherwise...”
“Are you threatening me?” Liesel stared icily at the couple, who had dropped their masks to reveal their ugly true selves. “If that’s the case, then I’m not afraid to let the whole world know that you were the mistress who climbed into the master’s bed while the lady of the house was pregnant, and might even be responsible for my mother’s death!”
“You can’t make such accusations without proof, or I’ll sue you for slander,” Evelyn snapped, her face turning pale with fury, her body trembling.
Robert barked angrily, “Liesel, apologize to your Aunt Evelyn right now!”
Liesel raised an eyebrow. “Only if she goes to my mother’s grave and apologizes first!”
Robert’s face turned livid. “Get out of my house!”
“Weren’t you the one who shamelessly called and asked me to come back?” Liesel retorted with a cold smile. She stood firm. “There’s no love or family ties here, only exploitation and manipulation! I don’t need relatives like you! Just return my mother’s belongings, and I’ll leave right away!”
Robert, humiliated and furious, stepped forward and raised his hand to strike Liesel. She swiftly dodged, causing Robert’s fist to land squarely on Evelyn’s face. Evelyn let out a scream, stumbling backward and hitting her head, which immediately started bleeding.
At the same time, a shiny ruby brooch rolled out of Evelyn’s pocket.
Liesel’s eyes narrowed sharply—that was her mother’s keepsake.
What a pair of conniving scoundrels.
They had even lied about it being lost!
Quickly, Liesel snatched up the brooch and tucked it into her pocket.
“Hah, I’ve got my mother’s belongings back. Robert Winters, today I, Liesel Winters, sever our father-daughter relationship.”
Robert’s eyes widened in fury, glaring at her. “You carry my blood in your veins. Sever ties? You’re dreaming!”
With those words, he signaled to the bodyguards. “Guards, seize her!”
- Writer
