Chapter 5 The Heiress Returns

• Aurora’s POV:
• I’d just gotten back to my place when I saw a black sedan parked right outside the door.
• Henry was standing there, looking serious, talking to a middle-aged man.
• As soon as he spotted me, he snapped to attention and gave a respectful salute. “Miss!”
• The middle-aged guy turned his head and gave me a once-over, his face dripping with arrogance.
• “So you’re Miss Aurora? I’m Mason, the Sharp family’s butler. I’ve been sent to bring you home.”
• “Bring me home?” I yawned, clearly annoyed.
• That guy really wore me out last night. All I want now is to crash and catch up on sleep!
• “I need to rest. I’ll leave tomorrow.”
• “But—”
• I cut him off and walked right past him into the yard.
• Henry stepped up just in time and blocked the butler from coming inside.
• I waited until the next morning. When I opened the second-floor window, I could still see that middle-aged man—Mason, the so-called Sharp family butler—pacing anxiously outside the door.
• Henry stood like a stone guardian, refusing to let him in.
• I chuckled softly, took my time getting dressed, put on my sunglasses, grabbed my bags, and headed downstairs.
• Mason’s face fell the moment he saw me, but he forced a smile anyway.
• “Miss Aurora, are you ready? Your family is waiting for you.”
• I glanced down, shooting him a sideways look from behind my sunglasses.
• “Let’s go.”
• The Sharp family is currently headed by my father, Aides Sharp. My grandfather used to be the brave Beta right beside the Alpha of the Northwind Tribe, which gave the Sharps a special status in the clan.
• The car slowly rolled into a sprawling estate.
• The main house was pure Gothic style, surrounded by meticulously kept gardens that screamed wealth and power.
• The butler led me toward the front hall.
• Before we even stepped inside, I heard crying from within.
• “Mom, my sister must hate me. That’s why she refused to come back yesterday… Maybe I should just leave. I don’t want to make things harder for you all…”
• “Evelyn, don’t blame yourself! Blame Aurora instead—she’s been acting all high and mighty before even setting foot in our home. Typical of a kid raised in the lowly commoner crowd, no manners at all. Mom, don’t stop me this time! I’m going to teach her some respect today!”
• I tugged at the corner of my mouth, hands shoved in my pockets, and strolled in slow and easy.
• In the living room, a few people were trying to comfort each other.
• From what I remembered from my premonition, that red-haired guy yelling about teaching me respect must be my seventh brother, Ethan.
• “`
• “`
• And there, snuggled up next to Mrs. Sharp, crying her eyes out, was Evelyn.
• In my dreams, I clung desperately to my hard-won family, bending over backwards just to please them.
• I lived without a shred of dignity, all just to earn their approval.
• But now? Screw that!
• Clap! Clap!
• I applauded like I was watching a cheesy drama unfold.
• Ethan turned around, caught sight of me, and exploded in anger, shouting, “You’re Aurora? Then get over here and apologize to Evelyn right now!”
• “I didn’t make her cry, so why the hell should I apologize?”
• I shrugged, totally baffled by his attitude.
• “How is it not because of you? Yesterday, I even had Mason the butler pick you up. Why didn’t you come back on time?”
• “Oh, that? I thought we agreed the time was today! I’m a person who sticks to contracts!”
• “You—”
• Looking into Ethan’s murderous glare, I was weirdly unfazed.
• Thank the Moon Goddess I got a heads-up about all this beforehand, or else their attitude would’ve crushed me.
• Our argument caught my dad Aides’ attention.
• He put down his newspaper, his face darkening as he stormed over.
• “Aurora, get down on your knees!”
• Ethan stood nearby, grinning like a shark, mouthing, “You’re screwed!”
• I rolled my eyes. “Why the hell should I kneel?”
• “You seriously have to ask? Don’t you know what you did last night?”
• I frowned. What the hell was he implying?
• I was confident Saintleaf Town was under my control. There was no way the Sharp family had planted a spy.
• Unless… I glanced at Mason, the butler behind me. Unless it was him who said something!
• “What exactly did I do last night? Maybe you should be clearer.”
• “You’re just a kid, out all night with no word. Do I really have to spell it out? You’re shameless!”
• Aides’ face went pale with rage, his finger trembling as he pointed at me.
• Seeing my dad accuse me without even asking what happened stabbed a dull pain in my chest.
• The premonition dreams hit harder than I thought. Just a few days, and I’d already soaked up all the feelings I had for these people in the dream.
• But thinking about it, I let it go. I’d been a stray for eighteen years, never knowing the warmth of family. Coming back only to face my parents and brother’s accusations—anyone would be crushed.
• “You never cared about me for the past eighteen years, and now suddenly you want to discipline me? Don’t you think… it’s a little late?”
• “How dare you talk back to me like that? Someone, bring the family discipline!”
• Mason, who was trailing behind, immediately took the order and left.
• “Since you say I never disciplined you, today I’ll teach you a lesson!”
• “Daddy, no!”
• “`
• To my surprise, Evelyn actually spoke up to stop it.
• She was crying, tears streaming down her face, looking so fragile and helpless. “Please, don’t punish Aurora with harsh discipline. She’s your own daughter! Don’t fight over me…”
• My mom, Mrs. Sharp, was touched and pulled her into a hug. “Oh, Evelyn, my dear child, you’re just too kind.”