The Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 114: [Volume 1] - - how dare they.

Today had already worn her thin, and now this? She was irritated by everything that had been going on, and this just pushed her over the edge.

She clenched her fists, feeling the frustration building inside her. It felt like too much—after all she had done, after all the effort she had put in, to be questioned now? It was almost unbearable.

"Starting a company from scratch isn’t the hardest part. The hardest part is reviving a company that’s already fallen into the sand, trying to make it stand again. That’s what I’m doing. I’m not saying I don’t want to fulfill the contract, but I need to make sure that when the child comes into this world, it will be safe. Not brought into a situation where no one knows when it might be in danger, when it might be killed."

Her voice softened, but the intensity of her words remained. "I’m trying, Ray. But this isn’t just about rushing to meet a deadline. It’s about ensuring that the child, when it finally comes, isn’t born into chaos or danger."

When Ray heard Esme’s words, he felt something snap inside him. He didn’t know how to respond, the weight of her frustration hanging in the air. In a rush of emotions, Esme turned and left the dining table.

Ryan, watching the exchange, sensed something was off. His brother had never been one to lose control like this. It was unusual; it seemed like Ray was always looking for a fight with Esme. Ever since Ryan had arrived, he’d witnessed countless arguments between them, each one leaving him uneasy.

After lunch, everyone retired to their rooms. Ray went to his study, sitting by the window and staring out into the distance. He felt lost, caught in a whirlwind of frustration and confusion. It was like there was a fire burning inside him, one that he couldn’t extinguish.

Sometimes he felt calm, but other moments, he found himself lashing out, as if something else was controlling his mind. He hated the words he had said to Esme, and the more he thought about it, the more it churned inside him, leaving him restless and unsettled.

Knock knock

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Ray turned slightly and said, "Come in." The door opened, and Ray walked inside. As he entered, his gaze fell on his brother, who was sitting by the window. A smile crept onto Ray’s face when he saw him.

"Come in! When did you start knocking?" Ray teased, spreading his arms wide. Ray stepped forward and hugged his brother tightly before sinking down and resting his head on Ray’s lap.

Ray was a bit surprised but quickly adapted, gently patting his brother’s head. "Oh my, you’ve grown so big! But you still can’t break that habit of coming to me for comfort, huh? What’s going on? Did someone say something to you?"

Ray shook his head but remained silent. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Okay, then. Is there anything you want to talk about?" Ray asked, concern creeping into his voice. Ray lifted his gaze slightly and took hold of his brother’s hand, as if searching for the right words.

He closed his eyes, focusing on Ray’s nerves, and just as he suspected, he found it—a small dose of poison running through his brother’s system. It was minor, but significant, a dark shadow affecting Ray’s mind.

Ryan looked up at his elder brother, the man who had been with him from the very beginning. In just a few seconds, he felt the weight of responsibility that had always rested on Ray’s shoulders. He remembered how Ray had always cared for him like a child, shielding him from pain and hardship.

No one would believe that just a few minutes separated their births. Seeing his youngest brother in such a vulnerable state, Ray instinctively patted his head and ruffled his hair, a familiar gesture from their childhood. Ryan had always been the sickly one, perhaps a consequence of them sharing the same womb. They had all shared a portion of health, which is why Ryan had struggled.

From an early age, Ryan had been weak, and it fell to Ray and their other brother to care for him. Yet, through it all, they never grew tired or gave up. Ryan had even become a doctor, driven by a desire to ensure that no one else had to suffer as he had. In that moment, Ray felt a surge of pride mixed with concern for his youngest brother, knowing that the bond they shared was both a blessing and a burden.

After spending some time cuddling with his brother, Ryan eventually left the room. The moment he stepped outside, his demeanor shifted—his expression hardened, and a cold flicker sparked in his eyes.

How dare they? The thought echoed in his mind. He couldn’t believe someone had the audacity to poison his elder brother.

They must have forgotten who I am, he thought with a quiet fury, his mind already working on the next steps. Without wasting time, Ryan strode purposefully out of the house.

The next morning, the news spread like wildfire—his second aunt’s daughter had been poisoned and lost consciousness. When she finally woke, she found herself in a police station, facing accusations of molesting the son of a very powerful family. Ryan’s swift and calculated response had sent a clear message: no one crosses him or his family without consequences.

Ray hadn’t yet realized he had been poisoned, but when he heard the news of his second aunt’s daughter, it didn’t take long for him to piece it together. This method of handling things silently, without a word of confrontation, was unmistakably his youngest brother’s style.

He turned to look at Ryan, who sat calmly reading the newspaper, face unreadable as usual.

"Ryan," Ray called softly.

At the sound of his name, Ryan lifted his head, his expression still as composed and detached as ever.

"Yes, brother?" he replied in a steady, almost indifferent tone, as if nothing unusual had happened. But Ray knew better.

Behind that calm exterior, Ryan’s protective nature was always at work, making sure no harm came to the family.