The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

:

2)

Despite her screaming and jumping aside, the bouquet still slammed into her shoulder and arm, sinking needles deep into her skin.

59

To her utter horror, several broken cactus needles and sticky petals from those strange little flowers were now matted into her perfectly styled hair and smeared across her cheek.

“Ah! It hurts!”

Isabelle Grant shrieked in pain, her shock turning into fury. This time, the tears were real.

The onlookers stood there, jaws dropping at Natalie’s sheer audacity.

They scrambled back a few paces, trying to keep a safe distance.

Clearly, her reputation as the school’s notorious, good-for-nothing delinquent wasn’t just a rumor!

“Holy crap, boss, you’re incredible!”

Blondie was loving the show and gave Natalie a massive thumbs-up.

Beautifully done!

“Have you lost your mind, Natalie?”

Michael Grant, nursing his own pain, marched forward in a rage to confront her.

Blondie cut him off instantly. Seeing Michael try to get physical, Blondie made short work of him, pinning him face-down on the ground in seconds.

Natalie’s icy gaze swept over Julia Wilson and Isabelle. The sheer, terrifying chill in her eyes pinned them to the spot, leaving them unable to utter a single word.

While most were shaken by the blunt violence, a few clear-headed people in the crowd began to whisper.

“That guy seems really respectful to her, calling her ‘Boss.’ It doesn’t look like that kind of relationship…”

“Exactly. The Grants insisted on assuming the worst. They brought this on themselves.”

“The things the Grants said were awful-‘kept woman, ‘vile’… Being that malicious to a girl who used to call her ‘Mom’? I bet she was treated horribly at their house!”

“Right. The girl stayed calm the whole time, while the Grants put on a whole dramatic show. The difference in class is obvious.”

“She didn’t do a single thing wrong. Besides, she’s so thin; how could she possibly throw someone to the ground like that?”

“I bet the ‘real’ Miss Grant is just jealous. Total drama queen behavior.”

14:36 Thu, May 14

Chapter 14

(

S

55 vouchers

Though the voices were quiet, they carried clearly through the settling silence to the ears of the three Grants

Their faces burned with shame. Isabelle, especially, had tried to manipulate the crowd to destroy Natalie, only to end up as the laughingstock herself.

Natalie had no interest in the mess behind her. She didn’t even spare them a glance before turning to leave.

Blondie released Michael at once, dusted off his hands with a look of disgust, and hurried after her.

“Let’s go,” Natalie said, her voice cool and unfazed.

“You got it, Boss!” Blondie called out, jogging to catch up.

Michael scrambled up from the ground, his expensive, tailor-made suit now wrinkled and caked with mud.

“What are you all looking at? Get lost! Everyone, leave!”

Michael roared at the crowd in a fit of humiliation, trying to salvage a shred of his dignity.

The onlookers clicked their tongues and finally dispersed.

From a black Bentley parked nearby, a man had watched the entire scene unfold.

Lewis felt his nerves fraying.

‘Wait… wasn’t the Boss interested in the girl?’

‘He had a perfect ‘hero saves the damsel’ moment, and he just watched?’ Lewis wondered, frustrated.

Though, admittedly, the ending was quite satisfying to watch.

Henry Pierce, silent until now in the back seat, finally spoke. His voice was deep and unreadable.

“I recall the Grant family submitted a bid a few days ago for the commercial park project on the east side?”

Lewis immediately recalled the details. “Yes, Boss. The Grant Group submitted their qualifications and a preliminary proposal to build some of the landscaping and facilities. The evaluation department said their credentials are okay, but the plan lacks spark. It’s not very competitive.”

“Lacks spark?” Henry Pierce repeated the words, tapping his fingers lightly on his knee.

“I think the Grants are quite ‘sparky’ indeed.”

Lewis instantly caught the drift. The Boss was going to target the Grants to avenge Miss Moore?

He asked cautiously, “Your orders, Boss…?”

“Tell the evaluation department that the Grant family’s proposal has been approved.”

14:36 Thu, May 14

Chapter 14

:

Henry’s tone was flat but carried an absolute finality. “Make sure to take ‘good care’ of them.”

Lewis understood immediately. ‘This isn’t approval at all. It’s like putting the Grant Family on the grill and making them add fuel themselves,’ he thought.

“Understood!” Lewis replied.

Rosie Rowan walked over then, looking quite pleased.

‘Damn, that was so cool!’ Rosie thought.

‘Natalie was absolutely badass!’

‘Watching that felt better than a spa day!’

“Uncle Henry!”

After spending the last two days with him, she realized her uncle wasn’t nearly as heartless as her grandmother and second uncle had claimed.

She could see clearly now, her uncle was the only one who truly cared for her. The rest of the Rowan family were just wolves in human clothing!

Henry nodded. “What do you want to eat?”

“Anything, Uncle Henry!”

She paused, then asked tentatively, “Uncle Henry, you’re going to take me away with you, right?”

Henry looked up and held her gaze.

“Yes.”

He gave a single-word reply. It wasn’t loud, but it carried the weight of a solemn promise.

Rosie’s eyes lit up, and the weight on her heart vanished. A huge grin spread across her face. “Thank you, Uncle! Henry

59

On the other side of town, Ryan Mitchell had spent the last five blocks flooring it to lose the stalker fans, reporters, and paparazzi. He finally let out a breath when he saw the coast was clear.

“Phew… finally lost them!”

Ryan exhaled, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow as he glanced nervously in the rearview mirror.

“Damn, those stalker fans are insane!” Ryan muttered.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify