Reborn Young Miss: Phoenix Burning Red-Chapter 256: I Trust Her With My Life (2)

Adrienne was aware of what Alistair and the Jiang family were up to, and she sneered inwardly at the audacity of her father to use her as a bargaining chip to save the Jiang Corporation. However, how could she allow herself to be used and taken advantage of, like her mother? Did they think she would foolishly agree with their plans?

Adrienne wanted nothing but for them to go down. She wanted them to experience despair the way they’d made her feel in her previous life. She wanted their assets—every single thing they owned—to be destroyed. She wanted it all, but above all, she wanted to get back everything her mother had worked for.

"You’ve been scheming and forcing your two uncles into debt and despair, but what do you plan to do with your father?" Uncle Shark asked Adrienne one afternoon.

They were taking a break in the courtyard behind the Zhao estate, taking an afternoon tea beneath the lily tree that gave them some shade from the scorching sun. Adrienne paused, her delicate porcelain teacup trembling in her hand, as she pondered Uncle Shark’s question. The thought of her father brought a flicker of coldness to her eyes as if no glimmer of compassion still lingered within her vengeful heart.

"Do you want him to land in jail, or do you want him dead instead?" Uncle Shark continued to question her.

Irina and Kalista glanced at each other, waiting for their mistress’s response. They were also curious about what Adrienne wanted to do with her father now that her mother had finally regained consciousness.

It wasn’t as if this was the first time Adrienne had heard this question. She’d already discussed this with her Uncle Reese. Adrienne knew they needed to catch the Jiang family off guard because they would start protecting themselves if they noticed her plan. Her uncle promised to get the best lawyers that could help them regain her mother’s assets, but Adrienne knew they needed to hit them all at once, leaving them no chance of escape.

"That’s a tough question, Uncle Shark," Adrienne finally answered. "Sending him to jail wouldn’t be enough, but letting him die would be merciful."

She paused for a moment, pondering the question.

"I would like him to lose everything, but before that, I want him to be betrayed by those he cherished the most." Adrienne’s lips curled into a sinister smile. "I wonder who would betray him first."

Uncle Shark scoffed as he yawned behind his hand. He’d been pulling an all-nighter these days, looking after Adrienne’s mother. Adrienne hadn’t sent him out for an errand these past few days, and he wondered what else she had in mind.

"You’ll have to wait for Elise Jiang’s return before you can have your answer." He commented.

Ever since Adrienne married Lennox Qin, she had taken a step back from revenge and enjoyed her honeymoon phase with her husband. However, since her mother woke up from her coma, Adrienne knows she cannot delay her plans anymore.

Waylen Jiang’s tail was still tucked between his legs, and he could only bribe Adrienne to keep his secret from being exposed while her Uncle Alfred was in a massive debt, which could destroy not only his life but his children’s future as well. Adrienne had already started her revenge a long time ago and she was merely biding her time to end the Jiang family.

However, since Elise Jiang’s departure, Adrienne hadn’t schemed against her father or Camilla Yan. She merely kept an eye on them, watching their every move.

--

Lennox pushed his mother-in-law’s wheelchair through the garden of the Zhao estate and stopped for her to admire the different flowers. It had been a week since Rosemary woke up, and she’d been dying to feel the sun on her skin. She asked Lennox for help, as Adrienne had left to go to Chiangshi University to have her graduation photos taken.

Lennox couldn’t blame Rosemary for asking. After all, she had been cooped up in a room for over five years and hadn’t seen the outside world for a long time. He knew how she felt; he’d been in her shoes three years ago.

Rosemary was still recovering. She was undergoing some therapy and receiving round-the-clock care according to the doctor’s orders. She could breathe on her own again and wasn’t struggling to speak anymore, though her voice sounded a bit hoarse.

"I heard from Addie how the two of you met." Rosemary smiled slightly, "I would have never thought she would do something like that to others. She isn’t someone who would carelessly hurt others."

Lennox let out a laugh. "It’s alright, Mother. If I hadn’t met Addie that time, I’m sure it would have taken a lot of time for me to recover fully."

Rosemary lowered her gaze and looked at her slender hands. "It must have been hard for Addie to be alone."

Lennox looked at his mother-in-law with a mix of sympathy and understanding.

"Yes, it hasn’t been easy for her. She’s had her fair share of challenges, but she’s always managed to stay strong and keep moving forward." He paused momentarily before continuing, "She never gave up on you, Mother, despite everyone telling her to let you go. You have no idea how happy she was, seeing you finally awake."

"I’m lucky to have her as my daughter, but it seems she’s unlucky to have me as her mother." Rosemary lamented. "I couldn’t even protect my own child from her father."

Lennox’s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t expected Rosemary to say that, and his heart ached for both.

"That’s not true, Mother," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Addie loves you and wants nothing but the best for you."

"I know, Lennox. And I’m grateful for her love and dedication." Rosemary sighed and looked up at the sky. "But I can’t help but feel guilty for what happened to her. Everything that happened was all because of me and my poor choices. Even though Addie refused to tell me everything, I know her father has already forsaken her. Lewis had never been fond of her."

Lennox knew that Rosemary felt responsible for what happened to her daughter. After all, she was the reason why Adrienne had to suffer so much in the past.

"Please don’t blame yourself, Mother," he said softly. "What’s important now is that you’re back with us, safe and sound. And we’ll make sure that nothing like this ever happens again."

Rosemary smiled at him, tears glistening in her eyes. "Thank you, Lennox. You’re a kind and wonderful son-in-law. I’m glad that Addie met someone she could trust and rely on." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Lennox felt a warm feeling spread through his chest, and he realized how much he cared for Rosemary. Given how she had only recently met him, he hadn’t expected that she would easily accept him as her son-in-law.

Lennox placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You’re here now, and that’s what matters. You can make it up to her by being there for her from now on. I know Addie would want this."

Rosemary nodded, and Lennox could see the sadness in her eyes. He wanted to comfort her, but he didn’t know how. Suddenly, Rosemary looked up at him, determination shining in her eyes.

"I want to make it up to her. I want to help her with her revenge," Rosemary declared.

Lennox’s mouth fell open in shock. He hadn’t expected Rosemary to say that either.

"Revenge?" he repeated, unsure if he’d heard her right.

"Yes, revenge. Don’t act so surprised, Lennox. You know as well as I do that Adrienne has been planning this for a long time," Rosemary said, her voice firm. "I may not have been there for her in the past, but I want to make it right. I want to help her take down the Jiang family."

Lennox took a deep breath, trying to process what Rosemary was saying. He knew how important revenge was to Adrienne, but he wasn’t sure if Rosemary was in the right state of mind to be involved in something like that.

"Mother, I don’t think that’s a good idea. You’re still recovering. You can leave the rest to me and Addie. I would make sure the Jiang family wouldn’t be able to hurt you and Addie ever again."