The Returned Heiress Who Never Fit In novel Chapter 1003

Chapter 1003 Cold Departures

“And this time, Rianne actually let those people beat her

+5 Pearls

As she spoke, Madam Linden began to sob. This was the one thing she found utterly intolerable; she felt that regardless of the circumstances, Rianne had no right to let anyone lay a finger on Ariana.

“She even claims Ariana kidnapped her. Does Ariana even have the capability for such a thing?”

“It’s all because you’ve spoiled her over the years. She can’t tell right from wrong anymore. She was just a guest in our home–what did she expect? To be treated like a princess while living under someone else’s roof?”

Madam Linden was half–dead with rage. The realization that Ariana couldn’t get out because Abraham was personally watching the case had caused her to completely break down.

Tempest felt a dull ache throbbing in his temples.

“I don’t care,” Madam Linden insisted. “You have to find a way to get Ariana out, no matter what. She needs to be released immediately.”

After venting her frustrations regarding Rianne, Madam Linden no longer cared who was monitoring the situation. She only wanted her daughter back.

“It likely won’t be that simple,” Tempest noted. With Abraham involved, securing Ariana’s release would be an uphill battle.

“You-”

“It pains me to see her in there too,” he interrupted. “Don’t worry, I’ll find a way.”

As his mother had pointed out, the root of the problem was still Rianne. He would have to find his leverage there.

Madam Linden wanted to snap back, but seeing Tempest’s visible irritation as he promised to handle it, she swallowed her remaining words.

Tempest was equally anxious.

Lincoln arrived shortly after, having spent the day exhausting every connection they had, only to reach the same conclusion Jane had delivered.

“Abraham is personally overseeing this, so extracting the young lady won’t be easy,” Lincoln reported.

Lincoln was one of Tempest’s top aides and technically Jane’s superior. Because Tempest preferred meticulous work, Lincoln had been the one to assign Jane to Tempest’s side. He never expected Jane to snap so spectacularly–she, who was usually so composed, had essentially gone rogue in Yalvoria.

Hearing the report, an aura of cold menace radiated from Tempest. “Where is Jane?”

Perhaps he was simply used to her presence, or perhaps because he was frustrated by his inability to free Ariana, he wanted to vent his anger on her. That woman actually had the nerve to lay a hand on him!

Lincoln took a moment to recall. “She’s done with Sven received word that she passed her interview with

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Chapter 1003 Cold Departures

the Yalvoria branch of Erobos Corp this morning. It seems she intends to stay here.”

“Hah! She certainly knows how to make a clean break.”

+5 Pearls

Tempest had assumed that with her temper, she would have at least returned to Rivermount to settle scores with Sven. Instead, she was staying in Yalvoria? She even had a new job lined up?

First Rianne, and now Jane–Tempest was beginning to see a pattern of ruthlessness in the women around him. It was a coldness he hadn’t anticipated.

“She’s technically connected to the Hale family through Quincy, your cousin,” Lincoln explained. “She likely feels that continuing this entanglement is pointless and would only result in her getting hurt. Walking away was her best option.”

“The best option.‘ How convenient.”

Tempest’s tone grew even colder. Because they couldn’t win, they simply chose the “best option“?

And what about Rianne? Was her departure also just a “best option” because Ariana was his sister?

“When does Rianne return?”

“Her flight lands at midnight,” Lincoln replied.

“With Eddie?”

“Yes.”

Tempest’s expression darkened further. With Eddie… she was doing this on purpose, wasn’t she? Just to spite

him.

Ever since she arrived in Yalvoria, she had been inseparable from the McKenzie family. First, it was Evie hovering around her, and now she was attending weddings across the world with Eddie. Were they officially a couple now?

Tempest’s face was a mask of cold fury.

That evening, Tessa and Victor were also on their way back to Noctarth.

Although the Ashen Pact appeared to be under control, they both knew Dale was no fool. A man who could devise such repulsive schemes to protect his crush surely had hidden assets and sleeper agents they hadn’t uncovered yet.

With Diana and the Ashen Pact reaching a critical phase, they needed to keep a close eye on Dale’s

movements.

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