The Real Heiress Is Coming Back (Hannah Carter) novel Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Chapter 61

55 vouchers

“What the hell?” On the other side, Gemma shot up from her spa bed, the message on her phone making her forget her surroundings.

The sudden movement startled the other socialites sharing the spa session.

“Everything alright, Gemma?” one of them asked, raising an eyebrow.

Gemma quickly composed herself, sinking back into the cushions with a practiced, casual air.

“Just some negotiations with a hacker called Raven,” she replied, affecting an air of casualness.

Yet beneath the composed exterior, her thoughts churned violently.

The fact that Raven had dared to increase his demand a hundredfold within mere days, now demanding over 200 million, sent waves of shock and anger through her.

“Raven? That legendary hacker who tops the national charts?” another socialite exclaimed. “Good heavens, my son idolizes him, goes on and on about how he can breach any system in minutes.

“They say his services start at millions. I’m impressed you’re dealing with him directly, Gemma.”

“My boy’s just as obsessed! He’s been neglecting his schoolwork, pestering us to let him study hacking instead.”

“Think about it, Gemma. With Raven on your side, the Baker family would be untouchable. No one would dare challenge your security again.”

“At this trajectory, the Bakers won’t just be joining the four great families. You’ll be leading them before long.”

“Quite right. Soon we’ll be speaking of five great families, not four.”

The flattering remarks sent a warm current of satisfaction through Gemma, gradually easing the initial shock of the astronomical price.

Her ultimate ambition had always been to elevate the Baker family into the ranks of the elite four families, precisely why she had procured Raven’s contact information from Lauren in the first place.

When viewed as an investment in the family’s glorious future, 200 million for such formidable protection no longer seemed extravagant, but rather a strategically justifiable expense.

With renewed determination, her fingers glided across the screen as she composed a reply.

At Cavalor School, in Class 11 of Grade 11, the teacher’s lecture formed a steady hum in the background.

Hannah sat with her chin propped in one hand, while the other absently tapped at her phone screen, navigating through the match-3 game Zoe had recently recommended.

A WhatsApp notification sliced through the game’s cheerful melody.

Piggy: [She agreed. 200 times the original price.]

Piggy: [But Mrs. Baker insists on dealing with you directly.]

Piggy: [They folded surprisingly fast. Must be getting desperate.]

Hannah’s eyes narrowed slightly. Whether Gemma was truly desperate or had other motives remained unclear.

One thing was certain. In this game, Hannah held all the cards.

Raven: [Fine. But direct access comes with a premium.]

Piggy: [Another price hike? You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?]

Raven: [Give her this number if she accepts.]

Piggy: [How much more are we talking? 300%?]

Raven: [That depends on my mood.]

Piggy: [You’re ruthless. The Bakers won’t know what hit them.]

*****

At the spa, Gemma’s brow furrowed as she read the response.

The constant price increases were becoming absurd, like throwing money into a bottomless pit.

Yet when she considered the Baker family’s ambitions, and the admiring glances from her companions who had likely already spread news of the impending deal, she knew retreat wasn’t an option.

Failure to secure Raven wouldn’t just mean public humiliation. Their corporate systems would remain vulnerable while their stocks continued to plummet.

They’d already lost 700 million in market value. If this continued, they’d face complete financial ruin.

Setting her jaw, Gemma made her decision.

She accepted the terms, received the contact information, and sent a greeting message.

A slow breath escaped her as she felt the weight momentarily lift. This nightmare was finally nearing its end.

But once Raven was secured, there would be another matter to address. Hannah and her leaked surveillance footage had caused enough trouble. Gemma would make certain she paid dearly for her interference.

*****

After deliberately leaving Gemma’s messages unanswered for two days and only responding after repeated

prompts from Piggy, Hannah finally sent her reply.

The timing was deliberate: Saturday evening, the night of the Scepter House auction.

Gemma: [Raven, there you are. I think it’s best we meet in person to discuss this.]

The polite tone barely masked the impatience simmering beneath. Two days of silence had clearly taken their toll.

A faint smile touched Hannah’s lips as she typed her response.

Raven: [Just send the specifications. I’ll review them and get back to you with terms and payment details.]

With that handled, she switched to another WhatsApp account and tapped the chat with Barnaby. Their last conversation dated back two weeks.

She wondered whether she should notify him about the auction.

But after several attempts at phrasing it right, she grew irritated and tossed her phone aside.

‘I was the one who wanted distance,’ she reminded herself. ‘So why does it still feel like this? If he isn’t even concerned about his own well-being, why should I be?’

Suddenly, her phone buzzed.

She picked it up quickly, only to feel a subtle dip in her mood when she saw Candy’s name instead of Barnaby’s. Still, she answered without delay.

“Hannah, I’m back! God, it’s been insane. I meant to call you ages ago. How are you holding up with the Scotts?” The voice through the speaker was warm and slightly breathless.

It was Candy Foster, international film star and Hannah’s unlikely confidante.

They’d met years ago on a transatlantic flight when Candy had been struck with debilitating cramps. Hannah, seated beside her, had quietly performed acupuncture that eased what had been a lifetime of menstrual

agony.

The gesture had moved Candy to tears, and despite Hannah’s initial reluctance, the actress had insisted on staying in touch.

What began as gratitude had slowly blossomed into genuine friendship.

“I’m managing,” Hannah replied evenly.

“Really? Because I just saw the news about that whole Scott family scandal. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me how badly they treated you! I was ready to drive over and burn the place down,” Candy said, her protective instincts flaring.

“And risk being deported and never seeing me again?” Hannah countered mildly.

“Okay, fair point,” Candy conceded. As a foreign national with Ardenveil royal connections, she knew the

complications all too well.

“Then behave yourself. I’m not in the mood to relocate again,” Hannah smiled.

“Again?” Candy’s curiosity was immediately piqued.

“I’ll explain when I see you,” Hannah deflected.

She wanted Candy to observe the situation with Barnaby firsthand. If anyone understood complicated relationships, it was the famously romantic Candy.

Candy agreed, “Fine, but make it soon. I’ve got that Scepter House auction tonight. You should come! They always have the most fascinating artifacts.”

Hannah allowed a small smile. “Actually, I’ll be there.”

They arranged to meet at a discreet café lounge.

After exchanging warm greetings, Hannah provided a concise summary of her complicated dynamic with Barnaby.

Candy’s eyes sparkled with intrigue. “Darling, this sounds like the plot of a Gothic romance novel.”

AD

Comment

Send gift

No Ads