Reborn Young Miss: Phoenix Burning Red-Chapter 187: Turning Black to White (3)
While everything was going well for Adrienne, it couldn’t be said for Elise. Ever since she returned home, she had been a shadow of her former self. It was a usual occurrence for those residing in their manor to hear her hysterical screams at night. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
Elise’s reputation had been tarnished once again, courtesy of Adrienne’s counterattack. She felt too ashamed to face anyone, her confidence shattered by the rumors that circled around her. It seemed no one wanted to give her a second chance, as whispers of her promiscuity and even her possible involvement in Ares Gu’s death spread like wildfire.
Sitting at her desk in school, Elise could only lower her head and clench her fists tightly. It was unfair. Adrienne should be the one facing this scrutiny, not her. The anger within her grew, fueled by the fact that Adrienne was able to lift her chin arrogantly.
Even at home, the atmosphere wasn’t the same anymore. Her father looked at her with disappointment, and she frequently heard her parents arguing about her. Elise could only weep silently in her room as she racked her brain to figure out how to get even with Adrienne.
The door of her room opened, and Camilla stepped inside only to see her daughter in a daze. It had been a month since they returned from the Gu mansion. The news of Adrienne being accepted to Chiangshi University also reached them. Camilla’s heart broke as she looked at her daughter. The fame and glory Adrienne was enjoying right now should belong to Elise, not her.
"Mom, you must avenge me," Elise cried in her mother’s arms. "Adrienne must fall completely from grace and be utterly ruined beyond salvation."
"Don’t fret, darling." Camilla smiled bitterly. There was no humor in her eyes. "It won’t take long before everyone forgets the rumors about you. In the next few days, you should work hard to gain your father’s favor. I have a hundred ways to destroy that little bitch. Once I’m done, Adrienne will be nothing but an insect you could easily step on. You can deal with her as you like."
"But Adrienne has the backing of the Zhao family now. How could we get into her?" Elise asked. She had been thrilled and excited when she schemed to lure Adrienne towards Elysian. She wanted Adrienne to be thoroughly humiliated, but their plans continued to fail one after another.
This conversation eventually reached Adrienne’s ears. The moment she and her brother heard it, Adrienne burst into laughter.
"That pair of mother and daughter is really something." She told Hunter.
Adrienne knew that Camilla would never give up until she destroyed her. She could still remember clearly how Camilla was overjoyed when she was about to die in her past life. Now that Elise had suffered a mishap, Adrienne knew Camilla would never let her off easily.
Hunter furrowed his brows, thinking that their father was really foolish for keeping a bunch of snakes by his side. Wasn’t their father not afraid to get bitten by them in the end?
"Do you have a plan, Addie?" He asked. "They won’t stop until they ruin you."
Hunter wished he could do something else for her. When Uncle Shark and Lennox’s men beat those mercenaries trying to kill his sister, he could barely keep his composure. Hunter joined them at the last minute after promising Adrienne not to show his face to anyone.
When he heard of Ares Gu’s death, he suspected that Lennox Qin was behind it. He wanted to ask his future brother-in-law, but when he met Lennox’s eyes, his question was wordlessly answered. The intensity in Lennox’s gaze confirmed Hunter’s suspicions, leaving him with a sinking feeling in his stomach. It became clear that Lennox would stop at nothing to protect Adrienne, even if it meant resorting to extreme measures.
Ares Gu’s death was brutal and inhumane. He was sexually abused until he died from strangulation. Even if it wasn’t Lennox who killed Ares Gu, he surely had a hand in it.
Hunter knew that Lennox Qin was a dangerous man, and he wasn’t sure if he should allow his sister to be with Lennox. However, every time he sees Adrienne with Lennox, it is only when Hunter can see his sister at peace and content.
"Elise’s reputation is ruined. Camilla is proud and arrogant. Of course, I won’t spare her son, Cayden. Cayden had shamelessly taken everything that’s yours, brother." Adrienne answered as she rested her chin on her hand as she lounged lazily on the couch.
"Father managed to admit Cayden to another law school using his connections to the Ji family. It’s a pity we need to wait for a while before I can deal with him."
Hunter stiffened when he heard his sister mention the Ji family. Prosecutor Ji was his nemesis, and it was clear the Jiang family was involved in his adopted mother’s death in his past life. Prosecutor Ji was a formidable opponent, known for his cunning and relentless pursuit of his ambition. Hunter had crossed paths with him in his past life, and it hadn’t ended well.
It wasn’t lost on Adrienne what her brother was thinking. She said, "Prosecutor Ji would take Cayden under his wing in a few years. This is why you should also work hard to gain achievements and recognition if you truly want to protect me and Mom."
Hunter’s eyes narrowed as he processed his sister’s words. He knew she had a point. If he wanted to ensure their family’s safety and bring justice to his past life, he needed to excel in his own endeavors.
Adrienne had been the one protecting them all this time, and Hunter knew she could not leave everything to her. Even with Lennox Qin’s help, Hunter wanted her sister to lead a normal life.
"You are right, Addie."
Adrienne smiled in satisfaction, though she was a little saddened at the thought that her brother was departing very soon. They just got reunited as a family, but she knew this temporary separation was necessary to protect themselves.
