Ashes of the Inheritance

Chapter 5: Powerless Inheritor

As the thought struck her, Evelyn Collins' fluttering heart suddenly cooled. Her gaze dropped slightly.

"Please forget what happened last night. It was just an accident. I have no intention of being involved in anything shady with you!"

Her anxious attempt to draw a line was like a bucket of cold water thrown over them. William Collins' eyes darkened with a surge of rage. With a sudden motion, he yanked open the collar of Evelyn's blouse.

"Your body says otherwise!"

Her skin, now exposed to the air, was covered in scattered, ambiguous kiss marks—undeniable evidence of their passionate night together.

Evelyn's face flushed crimson, but before she could defend herself, William's angry kiss came crashing down.

His lips punished hers with biting force, lashing at her tongue. In a setting where they could be discovered at any moment, their tightly pressed chests echoed with frantic, synchronized heartbeats. Panic-stricken, Evelyn struggled hard and accidentally hit a sprinkler switch nearby.

A wide fan of water burst from the nozzle, instantly soaking the two entwined bodies on the lawn.

William didn't seem to notice. His burning kisses moved down to Evelyn's delicate neck. Between breaths, he murmured:

“Evelyn, do you really not remember me?”

His hoarse voice carried not just desire but a hint of grievance and sorrow.

*Smack!*

The sharp slap ended the ambiguous atmosphere in an instant.

William turned his face, pain brimming in his eyes, while Evelyn's ragged breath brushed against his cheek like ice.

Taking advantage of the moment, Evelyn mustered all her strength, pushed him off, and scrambled up to flee in panic.

Only when the sound of water faded did she finally slump in a corner, breathing heavily as she stared at her reddened palm.

She had provoked someone she absolutely shouldn't have.

William's words echoed in her mind—words that felt like a veiled accusation.

What was she supposed to remember? Why did he say that?

Frank Scott's distant calls didn't give her time to think. Evelyn composed herself and walked toward the front hall.

Back in the garden, William Collins furiously turned off the sprinkler and cursed under his breath. Just then, the creaking of wheelchair wheels sounded behind him.

“Well, Mr. CEO—what exactly happened to get you into such a sorry state?”

Jimmy Scott teased with a smirk, eyeing the clear slap mark on William's face.

“None of your damn business.”

William growled through clenched teeth, running a hand through his dripping hair, splashing water all over Jimmy's face. His cheek still burning, he couldn't stop picturing Evelyn. A bitter smile crept over his brooding face.

“Tell me—what am I supposed to do? I still don't understand how my sweetheart became someone else's wife…”

The sorrow on William's face seemed out of place, yet painfully genuine.

Jimmy's brows furrowed. After a long pause, he sighed. Their bond—stronger than the one Jimmy shared with his half-brother Frank—had been forged since childhood.

“There are many things in this world we are powerless against.”

Like his own disabled legs. No matter how many famous doctors or miracle cures he'd tried, healing had always remained out of reach.

The cool breeze gradually calmed William's stormy emotions. He closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they held deep, unreadable shadows.

“Frank Scott seems to be making moves. Stay alert these days.”

He warned his friend, his gaze fixed on the glowing lights spilling from the front hall.

That cunning cousin of his… was definitely going to be trouble.

Meanwhile, Frank Scott had taken Evelyn home. The anger he'd been suppressing the entire ride exploded the moment the door closed behind them.

Crash! Clatter!*

A series of smashing sounds echoed through the house as Frank Scott destroyed everything he could get his hands on. His face was a terrifying mix of red and pale green, contorted in rage.

"That old witch! That damned hag! How dare she look down on me?! I'm her grandson too! And I still lose to a wheelchair user?! To an outsider?!"

The humiliation he had suffered at the Scott estate now erupted in full force. The words spilling from his mouth became increasingly vile.

"One day, I'll make that old hag kneel before me and lick my shoes!"

Evelyn Collins watched him coldly, a deep contempt rising from the bottom of her heart. Was she blind in her past life to have fallen for such a repulsive man?

Looking at it now, Frank Scott's entire scheme to take over the Collins family's assets and influence was just a ploy to secure his position in the Scott family.

The thought ignited a renewed, seething hatred in Evelyn's chest. Standing at the top of the stairs, her hands curled tightly into fists.

*Frank Scott, * this time… it's either you or me.

Before the man could glance her way, Evelyn quickly composed her expression, ensuring he didn't detect anything off.

"I'm going to rest now."

Frank frowned, eyeing her damp hair and cold, distant back with suspicion. He instinctively took a step to follow her—then suddenly remembered she'd said she was on her period.

“Sh*t!”

He slammed himself onto the sofa in frustration. Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Seeing "Secretary Ivy" on the screen finally brought a wicked smile to his face.

Hiding around the corner of the staircase, Evelyn watched him grab his keys and storm out the door. She let out a long breath of relief.

But this problem could only be postponed—not avoided forever. She needed to deal with it soon…

Fortunately, Frank was apparently busy with work and didn't come home for several days. Evelyn savored the rare freedom.

Soon, it was the day for her to return to her family home. Just thinking about seeing her parents again filled her with uncontrollable excitement.

The butler, facing full an apology, explained to her, “The young master ran into a problem with one of his projects—there was a huge financial loss. I'm afraid you'll have to return alone, young madam.”

Evelyn nodded calmly, showing no sign of caring.

By her recollection, it was around this time in her previous life when Frank suffered a major career setback and almost lost his managerial position.

And the foolish past version of her? She cried and begged her father to help her husband.

Evelyn stared at the scenery flying past the car window, a cold sneer slipping from her lips.

As familiar buildings from her memory came into view, she couldn't help the tears that welled up in her eyes. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Collins were already at the gate, waiting anxiously.

“Dad! Mom! I miss you so much!”

Evelyn stumbled out of the car and rushed into her mother's arms, finally letting go. All the grief and frustration of the past few days poured out in waves of tears.

To be alive… to see them again… was the greatest blessing.

Bella Collins held her only daughter tightly. Hearing Evelyn cry so heartbreakingly, brought tears to her own eyes too. The sorrow of parting on her daughter's wedding day returned in full force.

“What are you crying for on such a happy day? Come inside now. You two go have a proper chat.”

James Collins rubbed his nose, worried that tears might cost him his dignity, and turned to walk into the house. The next second, Evelyn grabbed his arm and hugged it tightly.

“Dad~”

She spoke softly, still teary, but with a radiant smile on her face.

If she could, she'd stay by her parents' side forever. She never wanted to face that storm-bringing man again.

The three of them sat on the couch, chatting warmly. The whole morning passed in the blink of an eye.

Bella Collins kept asking about Evelyn's married life, but Evelyn brushed her questions off with vague laughter.

Since her daughter rarely returned after marriage, Mrs. Collins personally went to the kitchen to cook her favorite dishes. Just then, the doorbell rang with a sudden *ding ding*.