Heiress Returns Family Shocks (Nina Swanson) novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4 A Lawyer’s Letter

“Who would dare throw Nina out?” an elderly voice boomed.

The Swansons scrambled to their feet. Several of them murmured respectfully, “Mom.”

Sarah Swanson walked in, steady on her feet with Ethan Swanson supporting her, a perfectly tailored dress draped elegantly over her.

She cast a cool glance around the room, then let her gaze settle on Nina. Her hand trembled slightly as she reached out. “Nina.”

“Grandma.” Nina took Sarah’s hand, her tone respectful and calm, completely different from the way she’d spoken to the Swansons moments earlier.

Nina had always known exactly who treated her well. Sarah was one of the only two people in the Swanson family who cared about her. Sarah had raised her since she was little, and Nina was closest to her.

The other person who cared about Nina was Ethan, one of her older brothers. Nina looked at Ethan. He had indeed treated her well when they were kids, but she wasn’t sure if he still felt the same now.

“Hey, kiddo, remember me?” Ethan stepped forward, smiling as he greeted her.

Nina smiled too. “Hello, Ethan.”

“Well, not bad. You really are my real sister,” Ethan said with a roguish grin. “No wonder I spoiled you so much.”

He pulled out a jewelry box and handed it to Nina. “This is for you. I hope you won’t mind such a cheap gift.

“I only have 30 thousand dollars. I kept three thousand for living expenses and used the rest to buy this necklace. Once I start making real money, I’ll get you something better.”

When he finished, Ethan glanced at the necklace in Lily’s hand. “Oh, right. Lily got you one too. Heard it was designed by Lanelle? Guess mine won’t stand a chance next to that.”

Lily’s face had completely drained of color. She bit her lip, looking like she was about to cry. “Ethan, m-my friend got scammed. The necklace wasn’t designed by Lanelle.”

“It wasn’t?” Ethan exaggerated a look of surprise, then gasped. “Oh no, don’t tell me you bought it for 3 bucks at some flea market?”

“Lily, how could you do that? You took my sister’s place all these years, and the necklace you give her is something from a flea market? Don’t you think that’s going too far?”

“It wasn’t 3 bucks!” Lily stomped her foot in anger. In fact, she’d paid 5 bucks.

“No?” Ethan pulled out his phone and tapped a photo open. “Then this girl in the picture isn’t you?”

Lily looked at the screen, and blood rushed straight to her head. She almost passed out. It was a photo of her picking out necklaces at a flea market.

She thought, ‘What on earth is wrong with Ethan? Why is he always staring at everything I do? And when did he even take this photo? How did I not notice at all?’

Lily looked completely mortified. She wanted to explain, but she had no idea how, so she could only turn teary-eyed toward Vivian. “Mom, the necklace I gave Nina really wasn’t 3 bucks.

“I did go to that flea market. When I walked by, a little girl asked me to help pick a design for her. I was choosing one for her, not for Nina.”

Vivian patted her hand and said gently, “I know, sweetheart.”

Then Vivian turned to Ethan and snapped, “Ethan, what’s wrong with you? It was just a misunderstanding. Besides, Nina has lived in that small town all those years. Even if you gave her a real luxury necklace, it wouldn’t look good on her.”

Ethan shot her a sideways look, then turned to Nina. “Come here. Let me put the necklace on you. Let our dear mother see what a real heiress looks like.”

Before Nina could answer, Ethan had already fastened the necklace around her neck.

The housekeeper looked up and met Sarah’s icy stare, and quickly corrected herself, “He’s demanding that Lily pay Lanelle 2 million dollars in damages within an hour, and hand the money over to Nina for safekeeping. Otherwise, he’ll file a lawsuit.”

Lily’s face twisted into panic. ‘Isn’t it supposed to be two hours? How did the letter arrive so fast? It hasn’t even been half an hour. Where am I supposed to get 2 million dollars now?’

She shot Vivian a desperate look. “Mom…”

Vivian looked troubled as well. She spoke to Nina in a commanding tone. “How can you come home and immediately cause trouble with Lily? Hurry up and tell Lanelle it was all a misunderstanding. Ask her to let it go.”

Nina scoffed. “And why should I listen to you?”

Vivian snapped, “I’m your mother! I’m telling you to clear this up with Lanelle right now.”

Nina kicked over the marble coffee table next to Vivian, the crash echoing through the room. Her voice was ice-cold. “Do you still think you can order me around?”

Nina’s sudden outburst startled everyone so badly they all trembled.

Vivian was livid. She shouted, “Nina, what is wrong with you now? How many times do I have to tell you that this isn’t the filthy nightclub you used to stay in? This is the Swanson residence, and you can’t just do whatever you want.”

Nina walked toward her step by step, then reached out and yanked Lily’s hair hard. “Still think so?”

Nina’s grip was so strong that Lily let out a sharp scream.