The Heiress Revived from the Ashes (Lauren Bennett) novel Chapter 196

Chapter 196 A Face from the Past

Finished

To her, David was nothing more than a soulless opportunist, a man born to be used rather than cherished,

She often wondered what kind of twisted genetics could have produced someone as ruthless as him.

Taking a deep breath, Sharon quickly calmed herself down and turned to the medical staff. “What are you waiting for? Hurry up to save him!”

The nurses and doctors jolted back to reality, rush surrounded David’s and wheeling him away in a flurry of

movement.

Meanwhile, Alice had exhausted all her strength and collapsed on the side.

Sharon signaled for someone to take her to the operating room as well. Not out of kindness just because with so many eyes watching, she had no choice but to play the role of the responsible hospital director.

Once the commotion died down, Gael finally stepped aside, revealing Lauren.

“Ms. Bennett, why didn’t you tell David that Willow isn’t his daughter? That would’ve broken him instantly,” Gael asked, his tone laced with curiosity.

Lauren smiled faintly. “That would be too easy on him.”

“He’s always been good at squeezing people dry for his own benefit. I figured it was time he got a taste of his own medicine. David will do everything in his power to get Willow out of prison. Let him throw away everything for a daughter who isn’t even his. Only when he’s lost everything will I tell him the truth—that the children Sharon bore was never his to begin with.”

What a cruel irony.

For the sake of someone else’s children, he had sent his own son to prison.

I can already picture his face when he finds out. The man who values his bloodline above all else… single–handedly ended it.

How ironic!

Gael raised his brow. “That’s quite ruthless, Ms. Bennett.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Their gazes met, a knowing smirk passing between them.

As they left the hospital and made their way to the parking lot, they unexpectedly ran into someone.

The person was in a wheelchair, far from the polished image of the elite lawyer they once knew. His once- polished appearance had vanished, replaced by a tattered outfit and a gaunt face. Sunken cheeks, dark circles under his eyes–he looked exhausted, as if life had drained the last bit of energy from him.

It was none other than Lucas, Lauren’s best friend during childhood.

It had been nearly two months he hadn’t seen Lauren. Now, here she was, appearing out of nowhere. For a brief moment, it felt almost surreal.

1/2

15:32 Sun, 30 Mar

Chapter 196 A Face from the Past

Finished

Her face was fuller, her skin smoother, her once brittle hair now cascading in a sleek, healthy black sheen over her shoulders.

Every inch of her showed happiness.

In contrast, he looked disheveled and worn down.

The contrast was so stark, so painful, he wished he could disappear into the ground.

He had always been the one in the spotlight, proud. Now, the roles had reversed. He can’t adapt.

And then, he saw a man beside her–tall, broad–shouldered, exuding an undeniable strength.

A wave of jealousy surged through him. His fingers clenched around the armrests of his wheelchair as he blurted out, “Who is he?”

His sharp and accusatory gaze locked onto Lauren, like a betrayed husband confronting infidelity, filled with anger and disbelief.

Lauren cast a cold glance at him, her eyes carrying the indifference one would have toward a stranger.

Her gaze flickered past him, disinterested, before she turned away, making it clear she had no intention of engaging.

Ever since he had his legs broken in prison, Lucas had never been able to control his emotions -since they shattered his legs and stripped him of everything.

Added to his woes, the revocation of his law license shattered his proud career.

His home, his car, his savings–everything was gone.

His fall from grace had been swift and merciless.

The once high–spirited Lucas was now reduced to living in a damp, windowless basement, where the musty air and endless darkness gnawed at his very soul.

The world had turned its back on him. Friends, colleagues, even strangers sneered at his downfall, not even during the tough times at the orphanage, where he had managed to retain a shred of dignity.

He had lost everything—his career, status, and wealth–all reduced to nothing overnight.

Lauren was the only light left in his world.

Day after day, counting down the hours until he might catch a glimpse of her..

And now, when that moment finally came, she was standing beside another man, looking at him like he was a stranger.

It was the last thing he could never have anticipated.

He struggled to maneuver his wheelchair forward, blocking her path.

His voice trembled with urgency. “Laurie, I asked you a question. Who is he?“

Chapter 196 A Face from the Past

Finished

To her, David was nothing more than a soulless opportunist, a man born to be used rather than cherished,

She often wondered what kind of twisted genetics could have produced someone as ruthless as him.

Taking a deep breath, Sharon quickly calmed herself down and turned to the medical staff. “What are you waiting for? Hurry up to save him!”

The nurses and doctors jolted back to reality, rush surrounded David’s and wheeling him away in a flurry of

movement.

Meanwhile, Alice had exhausted all her strength and collapsed on the side.

Sharon signaled for someone to take her to the operating room as well. Not out of kindness just because with so many eyes watching, she had no choice but to play the role of the responsible hospital director.

Once the commotion died down, Gael finally stepped aside, revealing Lauren.

“Ms. Bennett, why didn’t you tell David that Willow isn’t his daughter? That would’ve broken him instantly,” Gael asked, his tone laced with curiosity.

Lauren smiled faintly. “That would be too easy on him.”

“He’s always been good at squeezing people dry for his own benefit. I figured it was time he got a taste of his own medicine. David will do everything in his power to get Willow out of prison. Let him throw away everything for a daughter who isn’t even his. Only when he’s lost everything will I tell him the truth—that the children Sharon bore was never his to begin with.”

What a cruel irony.

For the sake of someone else’s children, he had sent his own son to prison.

I can already picture his face when he finds out. The man who values his bloodline above all else… single–handedly ended it.

How ironic!

Gael raised his brow. “That’s quite ruthless, Ms. Bennett.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Their gazes met, a knowing smirk passing between them.

As they left the hospital and made their way to the parking lot, they unexpectedly ran into someone.

The person was in a wheelchair, far from the polished image of the elite lawyer they once knew. His once- polished appearance had vanished, replaced by a tattered outfit and a gaunt face. Sunken cheeks, dark circles under his eyes–he looked exhausted, as if life had drained the last bit of energy from him.

It was none other than Lucas, Lauren’s best friend during childhood.

It had been nearly two months he hadn’t seen Lauren. Now, here she was, appearing out of nowhere. For a brief moment, it felt almost surreal.

1/2

15:32 Sun, 30 Mar

Chapter 196 A Face from the Past

Finished

Her face was fuller, her skin smoother, her once brittle hair now cascading in a sleek, healthy black sheen over her shoulders.

Every inch of her showed happiness.

In contrast, he looked disheveled and worn down.

The contrast was so stark, so painful, he wished he could disappear into the ground.

He had always been the one in the spotlight, proud. Now, the roles had reversed. He can’t adapt.

And then, he saw a man beside her–tall, broad–shouldered, exuding an undeniable strength.

A wave of jealousy surged through him. His fingers clenched around the armrests of his wheelchair as he blurted out, “Who is he?”

His sharp and accusatory gaze locked onto Lauren, like a betrayed husband confronting infidelity, filled with anger and disbelief.

Lauren cast a cold glance at him, her eyes carrying the indifference one would have toward a stranger.

Her gaze flickered past him, disinterested, before she turned away, making it clear she had no intention of engaging.

Ever since he had his legs broken in prison, Lucas had never been able to control his emotions -since they shattered his legs and stripped him of everything.

Added to his woes, the revocation of his law license shattered his proud career.

His home, his car, his savings–everything was gone.

His fall from grace had been swift and merciless.

The once high–spirited Lucas was now reduced to living in a damp, windowless basement, where the musty air and endless darkness gnawed at his very soul.

The world had turned its back on him. Friends, colleagues, even strangers sneered at his downfall, not even during the tough times at the orphanage, where he had managed to retain a shred of dignity.

He had lost everything—his career, status, and wealth–all reduced to nothing overnight.

Lauren was the only light left in his world.

Day after day, counting down the hours until he might catch a glimpse of her..

And now, when that moment finally came, she was standing beside another man, looking at him like he was a stranger.

It was the last thing he could never have anticipated.

He struggled to maneuver his wheelchair forward, blocking her path.

Chapter 196 A Face from the Past

Finished

To her, David was nothing more than a soulless opportunist, a man born to be used rather than cherished,

She often wondered what kind of twisted genetics could have produced someone as ruthless as him.

Taking a deep breath, Sharon quickly calmed herself down and turned to the medical staff. “What are you waiting for? Hurry up to save him!”

The nurses and doctors jolted back to reality, rush surrounded David’s and wheeling him away in a flurry of

movement.

Meanwhile, Alice had exhausted all her strength and collapsed on the side.

Sharon signaled for someone to take her to the operating room as well. Not out of kindness just because with so many eyes watching, she had no choice but to play the role of the responsible hospital director.

Once the commotion died down, Gael finally stepped aside, revealing Lauren.

“Ms. Bennett, why didn’t you tell David that Willow isn’t his daughter? That would’ve broken him instantly,” Gael asked, his tone laced with curiosity.

Lauren smiled faintly. “That would be too easy on him.”

“He’s always been good at squeezing people dry for his own benefit. I figured it was time he got a taste of his own medicine. David will do everything in his power to get Willow out of prison. Let him throw away everything for a daughter who isn’t even his. Only when he’s lost everything will I tell him the truth—that the children Sharon bore was never his to begin with.”

What a cruel irony.

For the sake of someone else’s children, he had sent his own son to prison.

I can already picture his face when he finds out. The man who values his bloodline above all else… single–handedly ended it.

How ironic!

Gael raised his brow. “That’s quite ruthless, Ms. Bennett.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Their gazes met, a knowing smirk passing between them.

As they left the hospital and made their way to the parking lot, they unexpectedly ran into someone.

The person was in a wheelchair, far from the polished image of the elite lawyer they once knew. His once- polished appearance had vanished, replaced by a tattered outfit and a gaunt face. Sunken cheeks, dark circles under his eyes–he looked exhausted, as if life had drained the last bit of energy from him.

It was none other than Lucas, Lauren’s best friend during childhood.

It had been nearly two months he hadn’t seen Lauren. Now, here she was, appearing out of nowhere. For a brief moment, it felt almost surreal.

1/2

15:32 Sun, 30 Mar