The Disowned Heiress Fire and Ashes
Chapter 14 Scarred
Finished
Zayden wasn’t made of stone. After so many years together, there was real history between him and Olive. He reached out and steadied her trembling an
The moment he touched her. Olive’s heart lifted. She was sure–Zayden still cared.
She tucked her hair behind her ear, showing off what she believed was her best angle. In her mind, no man could resist a ingle, son girl in tears.
What she didn’t know was that Zayden’s brow had faintly furrowed.
In his memory, Olive was always crying. No matter the situation, tears were her weapon of choice. Like the second she cried. everyone around her would jump to her defense.
Frankly, he was sick of it.
Without a word. Zanden handed her off to Betty
Colton rushed
ith a forced smile. Of everyone, he was the most anxious about the delay in the engagement.
“Mr. Grant. I’m sure this isn’t a big deal. Olive’s not getting any younger–once you’re engaged, everything can get back on track right!
Zayden’s lips pressed into a hard, thin line.
*Colton have you ever thought about Quinn?”
The question came out of nowhere, and Colson was caught off guard. He had no idea how to respond.
Why was Zayden bringing up Quinn? Hadn’t he always hated her?
“L… well..” Colton lowered his head, trying to think of a sade answer.
Zayden had already guessed as much. Colton’s hesitation only confirmed it. No one in that house ever truly cared about Quinn. To them, she was never family
“That’s enough. We’ll talk about the engagement Liter.
And with that, Zayden turned and left
Olive stood frozen, staring at his tall, cold figure as he walked away. Her crying stopped. The chill that climbed up from her feet to her spine was bone–deep
She rushed over and grabbed Colton’s arm
“Colton, what did he mean by that?”
mean
Colton was already frustrated from cleaning up after her mess all day. Then Zayden had gone and embarrassed him in front of everyone–and now Olive was clinging to him like nothing had happened His expression darkened
“Olive, are you that bored? Can’t you just focus on something useful for once?”
Olive had never been yelled at by Colton before. She stood there in shock, tears still clinging to the corners of her eyes.
Xavier finally snapped out of his daze
Olive had pointed right at him and blamed him for everything For the first time, the gui he’d grown up with felt like a stranger. Something heavy settled in his chest.
12:10 AM ď ď
Chapter 14 Start
Finishes
Don’t blame Clive was the one witamises. It’s Quinthe twisted everything
I who crumbled
k
Colton didn’t care Without the Gruffamily marriage alliance, his own company couldn’t go public. Now everything was desaver, and head wit
Naver, you still dont get de Saring undey, Timirenzung all your cards. You’re going to Orvex for two months. If you can’t puil it together dim bathemanning had
Xavier opened his moutongue; bun the wird auck Heurned and looked at Olive,
Part of him hoped–just for end–han the nigh defend him
But Olive just burred herself in Bery arms, her eyes, avoiding his completely.
The dicker of hope in Xavier’s eyes showity and he gave im
Understood.
Olive thought that meant it was over, bur Colton wasmine, e grubbed her urm und pulled her away from Berry.
You’re not off the hook either. Tamorrow, you ming with me to the many
She blinked in disbelier. “What? Me!”
Betty stepped forward, ready to object, but Colton cut her off before sine endif spent:
Mom, you saw what just happened. Do you really want Olive toget dumped by the Grant family and never find a decent
husband
Betty swallowed her protest and turned to Olive gently.
“Sweetheart, it’s good experience. You’ve studied finance for years–it’s time topuntavass
But Olive had never worked a day in her life. Those finance classes went ince er indour the other Going to the office would only expose how useless she really was.
Im not going Mom, this family is loaded–can’t you afford to support me I’m na gang
Colton’s face turned stormy. At that moment, even Eugene, who’d been quietly sapping his as she witte me, spoke up,
Ouve, if some you saw the real world. It’s our own company. You’ve got Colton with you. What are you utrustni
Panic wetting it. Olive turned to her last lifeline.
But he didn’t answer. Hurt by her earlier coldness, he turned and walked upstairs without a wordi.
Dive stumbled back a few steps, her brows drawn tight.
“You… You’re all mane. I’m not giving in.”
Cut on the highway. Zayden drove with no destination in mind. No matter how fast he went, he couldn’t shake the thughu
| he could set was Quinn’s face–that cold, expressionless look she gave him that morning
slammed a hand agama the steering wheel. His knuckles hit the edge of the dash, and he winced in pain.
肉
Chapter 14 Scarred
Finished
Leroy had always cared deeply about her. During those three years she was inside, he’d told Zayden to make sure she was taken care of. But Zayden hadn’t done a thing
Seeing what she’d gone through had nearly broken Leroy’s heart.
The second Zayden walked in. Leroy lost it. He picked up a teapot and hurled it at him.
Zayden didn’t dodge. He let it hit him square in the head.
“Grandpa, getting angry’s bad for your health.”
That only made Leroy angrier. His cane slammed against the floor.
“You still know I’m your grandfather?”
He spat the words like poison.
I thought you forgot your own damn name!*
Zayden didn’t argue. He figured the beating was fair.
But Leroy wasn’t about to let him off that easy.
What,
you
think letting me hit you will make you feel better? Don’t flatter yourself. Quinn should’ve torn you apart. You deserved every bit of it!”
He’d been her fiancé–and never visited her once. Then had the audacity to get engaged to Olive? No shame at all.
Leroy blamed himself too. He’d gone off to visit old comrades and left everything unattended. If he’d been around, maybe Quinn wouldn’t have suffered so much.
He looked at Zayden, who was still standing there like a statue, blood trailing down from his forehead to his chin.
After a long silence, Leroy sighed.
“Forget it. Think about how you’re going to make things right with that girl. And for God’s sake, clean up your face.”
Zayden came back to the present, staring at his reflection in the rearview mirror. The cut was still red, still fresh.
He made a sharp turnoff the highway.
Forty minutes later, his car rolled to a stop in front of Sally’s apartment.
He didn’t get out.
He lit a cigarette, cracked the window, and let the smoke curl into the night.
Upstairs, Quinn’s light was still on.
Sally dragged her to the window, pulled the curtain aside, and grinned.
“Quinny, look down. There’s a total heartthrob standing outside.”
Send Gifts
