The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Lewis: “…”

He really hadn’t noticed anyone on the side of the road at the time.

He instinctively glanced back at the rear seat.

Henry Pierce had lowered his window at some point, his gaze fixed on Natalie Moore’s face.

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The light inside the car had been dim, but now, under the hotel’s entrance lights, he could finally see her clearly.

Even though she looked like a mess with a bit of mud still on her face, it couldn’t hide her striking features and cool, detached aura.

Her eyes were dead calm, no accusations, no brown-nosing, not even much emotion. She just laid out the facts and waited to see how he’d handle it.

“My apologies. It was a lapse on our driver’s part,”

Henry spoke, his voice deep and smooth with the natural authority of a man used to being in charge. “We’ve caused you a great deal of trouble. Lewis, take care of this.”

Lewis quickly snapped out of it and turned back to Natalie, his manner much more formal.

“Miss, I am truly sorry. How about this? We’ll cover the cleaning and compensation for your clothes. Also, if you’d like, we can book a suite for you here so you can freshen up.”

He gestured toward the five-star hotel in front of them.

“Fine,” Natalie replied.

Since they were being reasonable, she didn’t push it.

She calmly added, “Get my backpack cleaned, and have a set of comfortable clothes ready for me.”

She rattled off her size, her tone completely flat.

“Of course, Miss. May I ask your name? Again, we are very sorry for the mishap. Here is my card, feel free to contact me anytime.”

He handed her his business card.

Natalie gave a small nod as she took it. “My last name’s Moore.”

Lewis called over the hotel manager and gave him some quiet instructions.

The manager turned to Natalie with a helpful smile. “Miss Moore, please follow me. Your suite is ready, and we’ll have professionals handle your bag and clothes immediately.”

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Chapter 3

Natalie followed the manager into the elevator.

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Once she was gone, Lewis opened the car door for his boss. “Sir, Miss Rowan has checked into Room 1809. She used her own ID to register.”

Henry Pierce stepped out in a minimalist light grey lounge suit. Standing at over six-foot-three, he cut an imposing figure even in the vast hotel driveway.

His handsome face was unreadable, showing neither anger nor warmth.

“Call the Rowans,” he said as he walked. “If they can’t take care of a child, the Pierces will. If they have a problem with that, they can come talk to me in person.”

Lewis felt a chill. He knew his boss was genuinely furious and was going to forcibly remove Rosie from the Rowan family.

It was understandable, though. Rosie was his late sister’s only child, and the Pierces were fiercely protective of

their own.

After her parents died in a car crash eight years ago, ten-year-old Rosie had become increasingly withdrawn.

When the Rowans’ second son took over the family, Henry wanted to take her in, fearing she’d be mistreated. But her paternal grandparents insisted on keeping her close for sentimental reasons.

Since they were her flesh and blood and Rosie had agreed, he hadn’t pushed it.

But since then, Rosie had grown distant. She almost never reached out unless Henry contacted her first.

So, Henry had to resort to keeping tabs on her in secret, worried something might happen.

The moment she ran out in tears tonight, Henry got the word.

Kicking her out the night before the SATS, and not a single Rowan had come looking for her. There was absolutely no excuse for that.

“Understood. I’ll take care of it right away,” Lewis replied.

He kept pace with Henry while quickly tapping away on his phone.

The elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside.

The polished mirrors inside reflected Henry’s thin, pressed lips and dark, brooding eyes.

He remained silent, but the sheer pressure radiating from him made the small space feel heavy.

They reached the 18th floor. The hallway was empty and silent.

Following the room number provided by the hotel, Lewis led Henry to Room 1809.

Henry stopped at the door and gave it a sharp, firm knock.

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Chapter 3

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After a couple of seconds, a muffled, congested voice came from inside. “Who is it?”

Henry’s brow furrowed. “It’s your uncle. Open up.”

The room went silent for a beat, followed by the faint scuff of slippers on the floor.

The lock clicked, and the door creaked open just a crack.

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Rosie Rowan’s chubby face peered out. Her eyes were puffy, her nose was red, and tear tracks were still fresh on her cheeks.

When she saw it really was Henry, she instinctively shrank back, her eyes full of distance and fear.

Her lips trembled. “Un… Uncle Henry? What are you doing here?”

Seeing her like this, Henry felt a surge of mixed emotions.

His throat tightened. “Did they hurt you?”

Rosie kept her head down, refusing to look at him or answer.

After a pause, she mumbled, “No… I’m fine, Uncle.”

Henry didn’t push it. “Get some rest. I’m driving you to the exams tomorrow.”

Just then, the door to 1808 opened.

A hotel staff member arrived with a service cart to pick up the dirty laundry and the backpack.

Natalie had just showered and changed into a cotton lounge set provided by the hotel. Her hair was damp and loose over her shoulders, a few wet strands clinging to her neck.

Without the mud and the mess, her skin had a slight glow from the hot water. She still looked cool and detached, but there was a new clarity to her features.

She couldn’t miss the three people standing right there, and her eyes met Rosie’s panicked gaze.

In an instant, Rosie’s expression shifted.

The fear and distance she’d shown Henry vanished, replaced by pure joy and heartache.

Without a second thought, she let go of her door and ran out barefoot. Under the stunned gazes of Henry and Lewis, she threw herself at Natalie.

She wrapped her arms tightly around Natalie’s waist, burying her face in the girl’s shoulder, which smelled of fresh soap and steam.

“Natalie, what are you doing here?”

Rosie’s voice was thick with sobs as her tears finally spilled over, coming much faster than when she was alone.

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Chapter 3

“They… they were all so mean to me… waah…”

The sudden turn of events left everyone speechless.

Lewis’s jaw dropped. What is going on?

Henry was equally surprised, his gaze turning to Natalie with newfound curiosity and scrutiny.

Natalie was clearly a bit surprised herself, but she regained her composure instantly.

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She didn’t push Rosie away. Instead, she reached up and awkwardly patted the sobbing girl’s back. It wasn’t exactly a motherly gesture, but it had a grounding strength to it.

After crying for a while, Rosie seemed to notice the awkward atmosphere. She sniffled and spoke up sheepishly.

“Sorry… Natalie, this is my uncle.”

14:33 Thu, May 14