Ashes of the Inheritance

Chapter 4: Unwelcomed Him

Although Frank Scott had promised to return in the afternoon, it was already dusk by the time he came back from the office. Evelyn Collins sat quietly in the car, her gaze drifting to the faint lipstick mark on the collar of Frank’s shirt. A cold smile flickered across her lips.

The grandeur of the Scott family estate gradually emerged before them, its long driveway dimly lit on either side.

“Second Young Master, Second Young Madam.”

The butler respectfully opened the car door, bowing his head low. The few strands of gray in his hair peeked through, unlike the snow-white hue Evelyn remembered from a decade later.

As Evelyn followed Frank Scott into the house, a wave of nostalgia surged through her. She greeted the family with poised grace.

“Father, Mother, Grandmother.”

Her voice was calm, her expression composed, yet her eyes carried a depth that mirrored her lifetime of experiences. This scene was a mirror of her past life. And as expected, Frank’s mother, Grace Scott, spoke the very words she had anticipated.

“What time do you think it is? " As the daughter-in-law of the Scott family, is this the kind of manner you wish to parade in public?”

The elegantly dressed middle-aged woman cast a disdainful glance, her attempt at refinement undermined by the crudeness etched in her bones.

Mothers-in-law disapprove of their daughters-in-law—some things never change, no matter the lifetime. In the past, Evelyn had borne the brunt of Grace’s disdain time and again. Frank's constant attempts at mediation had once moved her deeply, binding her heart to him even more tightly.

But now, she saw through it all—it had been nothing more than a carefully scripted performance.

Evelyn lowered her gaze and offered a polite smile of apology, but before she could speak, Frank interjected.

“Mother, it was my fault. I was delayed at the office. Evelyn isn't to blame.”

He pulled Evelyn gently to the dining table, flashing an appeasing smile toward Grace.

“I truly don’t understand what could keep a mere department manager so busy…”

Grace’s muttered complaint, though quiet, was loud enough for everyone to hear. At that, the elderly matriarch—who had until now appeared to be dozing—suddenly opened her eyes, her face darkening.

“And what do you think *you* are, to sit here judging others?”

Her sharp words pierced through the air, making the already awkward atmosphere nearly unbearable. Grace's face turned ashen, and even Frank’s jaw tensed slightly.

With a sharp *slam*, Robert Scott brought his hand down on the table, his voice tinged with suppressed fury.

“Must you all bring discord on such a joyous day? Grace, stop being so spiteful. And Mother, please, let’s have a bit of peace.”

The old lady gave a cold snort, clearly displeased with her son’s defense of his second wife.

Through it all, Evelyn remained poised and gracious, even taking the initiative to offer a soft apology to her mother-in-law.

As the tension slowly ebbed and the family began to eat, Evelyn’s mind worked swiftly behind her calm facade.

Of the three Scott siblings, only the eldest, Jimmy Scott, was the child of the legitimate first wife. Frank and his sister Emily—currently studying abroad—were born because of Robert Scott's second marriage to Grace, a woman of humble origins.

The old matriarch's disdain for Frank and his mother stemmed not only from their lowly background, but also from deeper wounds. The Scott and Collins families had been allies for generations. However, tragedy struck when Robert’s first wife, a daughter of the prestigious Collins family, fell gravely ill and died in her early thirties, leaving behind their two-year-old son. Later, Robert married Grace, a common laborer.

Jimmy, the cherished eldest grandson, had become paralyzed in a car accident two years prior—a constant ache in the old matriarch’s heart. And with Frank and Grace’s blatant ambition to climb the family ladder, her resentment only deepened, viewing them as thorns in her flesh.

In her past life, Evelyn had often suffered cold treatment from the matriarch because of her connection to Frank. She had once even harbored quiet resentment.

But now, that very hostility could become the sharpest weapon in her arsenal for revenge.

As she lowered her head, a glimmer of cunning flashed in her eyes. She was contemplating the best way to win over the old matriarch’s favor when the butler’s voice rang out at the doorway.

“Young Master William has arrived!”

The man who entered—William Collins—was the adopted grandson of the old lady's distant cousin. Though he bore the Collins surname, he was essentially raised in the old lady's household. Tall and poised, with striking features and a noble air, his mere presence was arresting. His slightly upturned eyes carried a natural arrogance that made even the handsome Frank Scott pale in comparison.

“Auntie, Uncle,” he greeted with a gentle smile, the corners of his lips lifting into a perfect curve. When his gaze met Evelyn Collins’ flushed face, there was a flicker of ambiguous meaning in his expression.

The old matriarch's previously sour expression vanished instantly at the sight of William. She warmly beckoned him to sit beside her. Even Robert Scott's eyes sparkled with admiration for this exceptional young man. Meanwhile, Frank Scott and his mother, left unacknowledged, looked visibly uncomfortable. Evelyn, ever observant, noticed Frank’s clenched fists beneath the table.

Some enjoyed the dinner with ease, while others found it hard to swallow.

Evelyn, feeling unsettled, set down her chopsticks with the others. Her drifting eyes met William's piercing gaze once again. Her heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushed, and her breath quickened. She could still feel the heat of his hands on her body from the night before.

“Evelyn, my dear, are you alright? ""Your face is so red,” Frank asked with concern, reaching out to touch her cheek, but she turned away.

“I'm fine. Just feeling unwell because of my period,” she replied with a rehearsed excuse, catching the flash of disappointment in his eyes. Ah, the wedding night Frank longed for—seems it would be postponed indefinitely.

After dinner, Robert summoned Frank to the study. With nothing else to do, Evelyn wandered the estate under dim lamplight, avoiding unpleasant company. A chilly breeze rustled the hedges. She picked a tender green leaf, her face expressionless. Like in *17 Again*, with ten extra years of life experience, she could no longer think like a naive twenty-year-old girl.

Just as she fell into her thoughts, soft footsteps sounded behind her. Turning instinctively, she was suddenly pulled into a warm embrace. Her heel caught on something, and she fell backward.

Thanks to the soft grass and strong arms around her, she wasn’t hurt—only slightly dazed. But when she saw the man's face, her body froze.

“Cousin, what are you doing?!”

William smirked wickedly, stopping her from pushing him away as his magnetic voice purred, “Just one question, sister-in-law—when exactly did your period start? Because last night, I clearly remember…”

“Shut up!”

Evelyn cut him off sharply, cheeks burning, hand clamped over his mouth as her eyes darted nervously. But the wet warmth beneath her palm stunned her. She jerked her hand away like she’d touched fire.

She steadied herself, deeply frustrated by her out-of-character reaction. Everything was unfolding according to her memories—except for William Collins. He was an unpredictable variable.

In her previous life, their interactions were minimal. All she had known about this cousin was that he had never married, even well into his thirties. The Collins and Scott families were powerful, interconnected clans. Her relationship with him had always been distant—so why now, did he seem so unexpectedly… intimate?