Reborn Young Miss: Phoenix Burning Red-Chapter 168: Evil Child (2)

Adrienne’s eyes flashed with fury. Her father often put on air around the circle, but he was a hypocrite through and through. Her father was nothing but a foolish clown in her eyes.

"Mr. Jiang must be forgetting. You and I have nothing to do with each other now. I understand you’re angry and looking for someone to blame, but directing your anger at me won’t change what happened."

She kept distancing herself from him and this treacherous family by not acknowledging him as her father. Her brother’s earlier words rang in her mind. They were truly unfortunate to have a father like Lewis Jiang.

"It was you who caused Elise to suffer such misfortune!" Her father insisted, "If I don’t discipline you today, you might even bring more shame to our family!"

Adrienne’s eyes narrowed, and her calm demeanor wavered for a moment. She spent her previous life struggling to meet his expectations and get his acknowledgment. However, in the end, Lewis Jiang proved he was a heartless father.

"Mr. Jiang, this is also enlightening. Someone defiled your youngest daughter, but you are busy accusing your other daughter of a crime she didn’t commit. How do you plan to seek justice for Elise, Mr. Jiang? Would you take matters into your own hands? Will you sell me again to other families to settle your debts?"

A heavy silence filled the room as the words left Adrienne’s lips. The accusing tone in her voice sent cold shivers through the Jiang family. Lewis Jiang’s face contorted with a mix of anger and surprise. He had never expected his eldest daughter to confront him in such a direct manner.

Camilla, Maryam, and Ayla exchanged glances, their expressions reflecting a growing unease. How could Adrienne possibly know about their plans to sell her to the Gu family? They wondered if she had somehow planted a spy within their household, gathering information that should have remained secret.

The thought of their family’s darkest secret being exposed sent shivers down their spines.

In their social circle, arranged marriages were not uncommon, but the idea of sending a daughter to her future in-laws’ home only for her to be defiled and humiliated was beyond cruel. It was a secret that would surely bring shame and disgrace upon the Jiang family once it spread around.

Adrienne’s words had struck a nerve, exposing a dark secret they had desperately tried to keep hidden.

"What a great father you are, Mr. Jiang." Adrienne scoffed, "You have always put your own interests first. Selling me off to settle your debts, and now this? Do you think I would stand by while you were slandering me like this?

"I won’t let you tarnish my reputation any further." Adrienne continued to stand her ground, determined to protect herself from further humiliation. "I will ensure the truth comes out, no matter the consequences."

Lewis was stumped for words. He didn’t think that Adrienne would be this hostile toward him. He looked at her with eyes filled with surprise, while her daughter stared at him like he was her greatest adversary.

"I wasn’t the one who defiled Elise, but you are set on blaming me. Since you wouldn’t listen for any reason, Mr. Jiang, don’t blame me for being impolite. I would ask my grandfather Zhao to represent me in court and sue all of you for defamation. Since the Gu family has recently lost its glory, it would be easy for us to lure Ares Gu out to make him pay for his crime."

"No!" Camilla cried out. She cannot allow Adrienne to do it.

The news of Ares Gu’s death was yet to be known in public, and he was still a wanted man. For Elise to be associated with one of that wretched man’s victims would tarnish her reputation further and complicate things for the Jiang family. Moreover, if the truth comes out, revealing the Jiang family’s involvement in the plan to have Adrienne defiled by Ares Gu to force her to become his wife would surely destroy the entire family.

"Then what should I do, Aunt Camilla?" Adrienne crossed her legs and looked at them with a hint of mockery in her eyes. "Do you still want to hold me accountable for her misfortune?"

She then gave her father a cold look.

"Dare to lay a hand on me again, Mr. Jiang, and I assure you, it won’t end favorably for you. The Zhao family won’t keep their silence anymore. My grandfather couldn’t wait to have a word with you. He said he’s been trying to reach you, Mr. Jiang, but you are always out of reach."

Adrienne was now blatantly threatening them, shedding all the cordiality between them. Everyone stared incredulously at her. They couldn’t believe she was retaliating harshly and without hesitation.

Her father’s face contorted with anger as he took in her appearance. Adrienne didn’t flinch; instead, she held her ground and raised her chin defiantly.

"You think a little girl can threaten me like that, Adrienne? The Zhao family may be powerful, but we aren’t afraid of them," Lewis sneered. "You are nothing but a spoiled brat with a big mouth!"

Adrienne let out a low laugh.

"Is that why you are hiding with your tail tucked behind your legs, Mr. Jiang? You should be afraid. The Zhao family doesn’t take kindly to those who cross them. They had been waiting for the right moment to strike. Can you afford to make an enemy out of them?"

Lewis’s hand shot out, grabbing her by the arm and squeezing tightly.

"You’ll regret those words, Adrienne. You’ll regret hurting Elise."

Adrienne winced in pain, but her eyes remained defiant. Suddenly, she raised her free hand and struck Lewis Jiang across the face with all her might. The sound echoed through the room as he stumbled backward, releasing her arm in shock.

"I’ve warned you, Mr. Jiang," Adrienne said coldly, so cold that it was enough to stun everyone in place. "That’s for touching me! And if you or anyone from the Jiang family ever lays a hand on me again, I swear to heaven I’ll make sure you never see the light of the day."