The Scorned Heiress: No More Mercy novel Chapter 222

She has to change her strategy. First, she will get rid of the old lady, and then she will deal with her clueless mother, Deanna.

Just then, Alec and Jake walk into the room. Spotting them immediately, Jade dials up her distress.

"Tara, I've always known you resent me," she murmurs, her voice trembling. "You think that because I'm adopted, I stole Mom, Dad, and our brothers' love from you. If I'm doing something wrong, just tell me. I'll fix it, I promise." As she finishes speaking, her eyes well up with tears that cling delicately to her lashes. The sheer sorrow in her reddened eyes makes her look utterly heartbreaking.

"What is going on here? What did you do to Jade this time?" Alec demands.

"Today is her birthday," Jake snaps, stepping up beside his brother. "Can't you just let her have this one day? Why do you always have to pick a fight at the worst possible time?"

The two brothers, fuming at the sight of Jade in tears, take turns interrogating Tara.

"Are you two blind or just deaf?" Bianca shoots back, disgusted. "She is putting on a one-woman show, crying and whining over absolutely nothing. Tara hasn't done a damn thing."

Seeing this obnoxious woman standing so comfortably next to her brother, speaking with the authority of the future lady of the house, deepens Jade's hatred. She spent weeks meticulously planting seeds of doubt between them, practically pushing them to break their engagement. Why are they suddenly back together, standing side by side as if nothing happened?

Jade remembers Grandma Eleanor insisting that Lucinda be invited to the birthday banquet. The old bat must have played peacemaker behind the scenes to patch things up. Cursing Eleanor internally for constantly ruining her plans, Jade swallows her fury and forces a sweet smile. "You're absolutely right, Lucinda. Let's not argue anymore."

Tara, who has been quietly observing Jade's micro-expressions, sees right through the facade. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the manipulative little psycho can't stand seeing Jake and his fiancée reconcile. Not wanting to waste another second on them, Tara simply grabs Tricia and Bianca by the arms and leads them away. There will definitely be a better show to watch later.