The Jilted Heiress's Ruthless Return To Power

he faded canvas backpack over her right shoulder. The coarse strap rubbed against

nd hit the wall with a dull thud. Pi

loor. A thin woman with sharp cheekbones and a tight, painted mouth. Her e

ce and a stiff neck. He crossed his arms and tilted his chin u

e. Blonde hair fell over the collar of her silk dress. Her eyes darted arou

e said. Flat. Cold. "This is no long

ed out a crisp check and flicked his wrist. The

y. "Enough for a bus ticket back to whatever slum y

st did not tighten. Her breathing s

e said. Her voice was steady.

locked on the bulging front pocket of D

voice pitching higher. "She definitely

hed. The veins in

demanded. "Empty it on the floor

er body, shielding the backpack behind

ace darkening. He pointed a t

all estate security," he shou

t, breathy laugh. She

and pointed toward the corner of the hallway ceiling. "There's a sec

e. His jaw locked. He swallowed. Polic

n angry huff and lunged forward, her manicur

ft shoulder and stepp

er forward. Her ankle twisted in her high heel. S

own at her, clu

ong to you," Dakota said. The temp

orward, pulling

hest heaved. "Your real parents are bottom-feedin

es went com

m at least know what

sted. He pointed

house," he ro

ets. She kept her spine straight. She walked past them,

ed her footsteps. She didn't wa

om doorway, staring at her back like

ting the banisters to stare. She ignored their wide eyes and

footsteps echoed on t

blotchy red. She sprinted across the foyer a

nted. Her eyes were wild. "

at the spoiled girl in fron

ached out with both hands

mped down on Cindy's right wrist li

throat. Pain shot up her arm

s wrist downward, throwing her off bala

acked acros

bloomed on her left cheek. She stumbled backward, hands f

voice cracked. "You worthless pi

right hand, shak

tting your hands on me," s

atred. She dropped her hands. A

indy sneered. "Euless and I ar

mer fiancé. Her heart didn't ski

ed, stepping closer. "He said you

umphant face. She let ou

d. "You picked up the garb

cheeks turned purple. She screamed in rage a

stared at her. A heavy, suffocatin

sure. Her feet stopped. Her hands dro

dog are very happy to

Cindy and pushed open t

She stepped onto the porch and took a deep breath, f

od frozen in the foye

in the gutter," Cindy

ached the massive wrought-iron gates and stepped through the pedestr

road. She pulled out her phone and c

se shattered the quiet.

ner. The blue paint peeled off the hood. T

. Brakes squealed as it stoppe

creech. A middle-aged man with thinning hair and

" he asked, wiping sw

he raised an eyebrow. She reached out, gr