From Mob Princess to Mugshot Photographer novel Chapter 93

**Chapter 7**

Rhett’s eyes sparkled with a flicker of hope, his anticipation soaring to exhilarating heights.

I continued, my voice steady yet laced with bitterness, “Of course I want to escape as far away as I can. This place is a graveyard of my worst memories. I despise everything here… and everyone!”

The weight of my words hung in the air, and I watched as Rhett, caught off guard, stumbled backward and collapsed heavily onto the ground.

“Ah, Scarlett… I’m so sorry, I’ve failed you…” His voice trembled with regret, a sound that could have melted the hardest of hearts.

But I remained resolutely cold, an unyielding fortress against his sorrowful tone.

Yes, I had spoken those words with purpose, knowing he would hear every syllable.

How dare he approach me with that pitiful, remorseful demeanor after inflicting so many wounds upon my heart?

What audacity allowed him to think I would ever choose to stay?

In a past life, I had known the bitterness of being an orphan, yearning for a change in my fate. I had clung to him, hoping for wealth and a better future, ultimately finding myself ensnared in the relentless grind of the Butler Corporation.

Now, after years of searching, my biological parents had finally found me, and behind them loomed a powerful company that overshadowed the Scarlett Corporation.

At last, I could reclaim the path that was rightfully mine.

Turning my head away, I feigned a look of weakness and exhaustion, instinctively raising my injured left hand.

“Mom and Dad, Rhett hurt my arm again just now. It’s throbbing with pain. Can we please go to the hospital first?”

Panic washed over my mother’s face, her eyes widening in alarm. “We must get you to the hospital immediately!”

“Scarlett, why didn’t you tell us sooner? I should have been more observant—what a careless father I’ve been! The moment we get home, I’ll hire you a personal nutritionist and a private doctor,” my father exclaimed, his voice filled with a flurry of concern as he pulled me along, outlining his plans with fervor.

As I listened to his words, an emptiness within me began to fill, slowly but surely.

So this is what it feels like to be cherished without condition—it’s truly a marvel.

It was only after settling into the car that I noticed Rhett following us from a distance, his figure lingering like a shadow.

She could hardly comprehend that after being embraced by the Butler family, after experiencing the warmth of their love, there would come a day when they would cast her aside.

Ashley had forgotten that love, once given, could just as easily be taken away.

As the family’s butler escorted her to the car, Ashley’s gaze caught sight of Rhett peering down at her from the third-floor window.

With a surge of desperation, she gritted her teeth and, tears streaming down her cheeks, bolted from the car.

She attempted to rush upstairs, but a wall of people blocked her path.

In a moment of anguish, she cried out, “Rhett, if you don’t want me either, then I’d rather die!”

With that, she hurled herself against the wall, the impact causing her forehead to split open, vivid red blood cascading down her delicate, pale face.

Witnessing this, Rhett rushed down the stairs, panic etched across his features.

“Ashley! Ashley!” he shouted, his voice echoing with urgency.