The Returned Heiress Who Never Fit In novel Chapter 1002

Chapter 1002 A Powerful Advantage

+5 Pearls

If Rianne and Eddie really had spent the night together, the two women saw it as a positive development.

“Tempest?” Stella murmured, her expression darkening. “This could turn into a major problem.”

While Tempest’s behavior toward his sister was often misguided, one thing was certain: his feelings for Rianne were those of a man deeply in love with a woman. If he found out that Rianne and Eddie had crossed that line in France, he would undoubtedly lose his mind.

“I have a feeling things are about to spiral out of control,” Stella said.

“Between Eddie and Tempest, who’s stronger?” Tessa wasn’t particularly concerned about things spiraling; her only priority was whether Eddie could protect Rianne. Tempest was, after all, a man known to be a living terror.

“They’re evenly matched,” Stella replied.

“Oh?” Tessa raised an eyebrow. If they were on equal footing, then things truly were destined for chaos.

“But Eddie has one significant advantage,” Stella added.

“What’s that?”

“He has a sister with a major brother complex.”

Evie had spent years agonizing over Eddie’s marital prospects. If Tempest tried to snatch Rianne away now, Evie would be the first one to fight him to the death.

“Oh, right,” Tessa recalled. “Evie seems to adore Rianne.”

Viewed from that angle, having a sister like Evie was indeed a formidable asset for Eddie.

Just as Stella suspected, Tempest was currently in a state of quiet agony. Though he was still unaware of what had transpired between Eddie and Rianne, he had been plagued by insomnia ever since his meeting with Ariana.

Madam Linden’s life was equally miserable.

“My poor Ariana… why would Rianne do this to her? She’s trying to kill her!” Madam Linden cried out in distress.

Tempest pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling exhausted both mentally and physically.

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Chapter 1002 A Powerful Advantage

+5 Pearts

“No matter how poorly the Hale family treated her over the years, she grew up in our home, didn’t she?” Madam Linden continued. “What could we have possibly done to deserve her treating Ariana this way?”

As she spoke, Madam Linden clutched her chest in pain.

“Enough,” Tempest snapped. “This doesn’t have much to do with Rianne.”

“What do you mean? Are you saying Ariana being stuck in there has nothing to do with her? You’re still defending her?” Madam Linden’s cycs flashed with anger.

The thought of the suffering Ariana was enduring made her want to tear Rianne apart. She couldn’t stand anyone speaking a kind word about the girl. In her mind, Rianne was nothing but a cold–hearted, malicious person.

“The one personally overseeing Ariana’s case is Abraham,” Tempest revealed.

Madam Linden’s face went pale.

Abraham? Of the Reed family?

Living in Rivermount, they were well aware of what had happened to the Reed family because of Abraham. He was the man who held Stella in the palm of his hand–the man who had upended the entire Reed hierarchy for her.

And now, Tempest was saying Abraham was the one watching the case?

“Why would Abraham get involved in this?”

“Have you forgotten? Stella is Rianne’s best friend.”

Madam Linden felt a sudden tightness in her chest. Of course. Stella and Rianne were inseparable. How could she have overlooked that connection?

“So, Abraham is doing this for Stella?”

“Yes.”

“Then what is to become of my Ariana?” Madam Linden was on the verge of a breakdown. No wonder Tempest hadn’t been able to get Ariana out despite being in the UK personally. Abraham was the one pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

Everyone knew Abraham doted on his sister, but they hadn’t realized he was such a meddler in other families‘ affairs.

“Doesn’t that man have enough to do? Why is he interfering with the Hale family?” Madam Linden paced the room, fuming.

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11:41 Sun, Jan 18

Chapter 1002 A Powerful Advantage

If Abraham was the one watching, getting Ariana out would be nearly impossible.

45 Pearls

When Tempest remained silent, Madam Linden’s frustration boiled over. “Even if Abraham is the one watching, the key to all of this is still Rianne.”

Abraham was only involved because of Stella, and Stella was only involved because of Rianne. At the end of the day, it all led back to her.

At the mention of Rianne, Tempest grew even more quiet.

“You’re the one who spoiled her,” Madam Linden accused. “I may not have cared for her, but you were always good to her. This is how she repays you? With such ingratitude?”

In that moment, Madam Linden didn’t deny her dislike for Rianne, nor did she pretend she had been kind to her. But in her eyes, Tempest had always treated Rianne well. Even if Rianne hated the rest of them, shouldn’t she show some shred of consideration for everything Tempest had done for her?

“Ariana cannot stay in there. You know her health has always been fragile.”