The Heiress Revived from the Ashes (Lauren Bennett) novel Chapter 197

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The Heiress Revived from the Ashes

Chapter 197 Shattered Delusions

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Lucas’s fingers gripped the metal frame of the wheelchair tightly, his knuckles turning white from the pressure. The biting chill seeped into his bones, but it was nothing compared to the coldness he felt in his

chest.

Does she really want to cut ties with me?

No! I wouldn’t allow it.

“How can you say that? We grew up together. We’re childhood sweethearts!”

Lauren scoffed. “You might be my childhood friend, but you’re not my father. Who I associate with is none of your business.”

Lucas’s face darkened instantly, his eyes full of jealousy and fury as they locked onto Gael.

Through clenched teeth, “Laurie, have you forgotten our promise? You told me that once I made something of myself, you’d always be by my side.”

Lauren chuckled, the sound laced with mockery.

A deep, overwhelming sense of irony filled her chest.

Back in the orphanage, they had been each other’s only family. She had once believed they would never be

apart.

She had thrown herself into hard labor, participated in competitions, and fought tooth and nail for scholarships–all for his sake.

Because of a single promise.

I’ll become a lawyer and put everyone who hurt you behind bars.

She had been so foolishly entranced by those words.

She had worked tirelessly, sending every penny she earned to him in secret, making sure he never had to struggle the way other poor students did.

Even in her suffering, she had been happy, fueled by the dream that one day, Lucas would become a top lawyer, shielding her from the world.

Reality had been cruel.

Not only had he failed to bring justice to those who wronged her–he had sent her to prison himself.

And the money she had painstakingly earned?

Not spent on books. Not spent on necessities.

But on luxury sneakers, designer jackets, and watches worth thousands.

And worst of all, on gifts for Willow.

A socialite who never even wanted them.

Chapter 197 Shattered Delusions

She had tossed his presents to the maids the moment she got home, too disgusted to keep them.

Lauren had never known.

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She had been too used to poverty to recognize the price tags on Lucas’s clothes. She had never questioned how a mere law student could afford a wardrobe worth nearly ten grand.

It wasn’t until Gael’s investigation into the Bennett family uncovered everything–until she saw for herself how Lucas had spent years pretending to be someone he wasn’t–that she realized the truth.

The boy she once trusted had become greedy, selfish, and vain.

He was nothing but a parasite.

Her gaze turned ice–cold.

“A promise?” She let out a short, scornful laugh. “Lucas, do you really think you deserve to bring that up? You ruined my life. Did you honestly believe I would ever forgive you? Have I not made my disgust clear enough since the day I got out of prison? You’re not even worth calling a stranger. At least a stranger wouldn’t make me sick. Every time I see you, I feel like throwing up.”

Lucas visibly flinched, his body jerking as if he had been slapped. A sickly red flush spread across his cheeks, a twisted mix of rage and humiliation.

“No! I didn’t put you in prison! It’s you! you brought that on yourself!” His voice trembled with desperation. “If you hadn’t pushed Elaine down the stairs, if you hadn’t turned her into a vegetable, none of this would have happened! You were convicted because of your own actions!”

Lauren’s expression turned ice–cold.

Her patience snapped.

Without hesitation, she raised her hand and slapped him.

Hard.

A sharp crack echoed through the air.

“Are you blind or just deaf?” she spat. “Elaine woke up and proved I wasn’t the one who did it. How long are you going to keep pretending? If it weren’t for you and the rest of them covering for Willow, Elaine would have pointed her out as the real culprit that very day! And you still have the nerve to push the blame on me? You’re disgusting.”

Lucas sat there, stunned.