The Scorned Heiress: No More Mercy novel Chapter 381

To Jake's absolute shock, Tara heads straight for the parlor where Eleanor and Kellen are having tea. Seeing the two women who constantly berate him instantly paralyzes his tongue.

"Oh, Tara, sweetheart," Eleanor sighs the moment she walks in, immediately rushing to comfort her. "I am so sorry you had to sit through that. Your brothers and your mother are an absolute disgrace!"

"Exactly," Kellen agrees, her eyes flashing with anger. "I have no idea what kind of poison Jade is feeding them, but to actually believe that girl is capable? It's laughable."

Eleanor pats Tara's hand, her heart aching for her true granddaughter. There was a time when Eleanor treated Jade with genuine warmth, fooled by the girl's quiet, respectful act. But time reveals everything. The older woman cannot comprehend how Charles, Deanna, and her three grandsons are still so hopelessly blind to the manipulation occurring right under their noses.

Kellen feels the exact same way. Having her life saved by Tara's brilliance only deepened her fierce loyalty to her niece.

"Don't worry about it, Grandma, Aunt Kellen," Tara says, offering a dismissive smile. "Her little show won't last much longer."

It's the truth. Every time Jade tries to step into the spotlight, her fragile house of cards collapses within weeks. Tara genuinely relishes the cycle—watching Jade climb to the top, drunk on arrogance, only to violently pull the rug out from under her.

"Grandma... did you know too?" he asks, clinging to a desperate hope.

"If you actually have the nerve to stand there and ask me that, you should be using that energy to go educate your parents and those two foolish brothers of yours," Eleanor scolds, shaking her head. If she were twenty years younger, she would have slapped some sense into him herself. It is a relief that he is finally seeing the truth, but it is far too little, too late. Tara's cold demeanor proves the damage is permanent.

Jake drops his gaze, utterly crushed. He always viewed himself as an elite, top-tier operator—perhaps not on the exact level of Danny or Luke, but certainly superior to most. Yet, in his own home, he was completely outsmarted, easily outclassed by his elderly grandmother and aunt.