Chapter 2

Kathryn shivered as the icy gaze swept over her, her body involuntarily shrinking back.

Suzan immediately stepped forward, shielding Kathryn with her presence, and snapped with a voice sharp enough to cut glass. “What’s with that look, huh? Did Kathryn say something wrong? The bracelet has always been a Henderson heirloom, and what right do you have to demand it? Don’t forget we raised you. We haven’t even asked you to repay all the money we spent on you over the years, and on top of that, we gave you an extra thousand dollars. You’re nothing but an ungrateful wretch!”

At this, Quincy Henderson, who had been silent, finally spoke. His young face, resembling Barton’s, was all disappointment and sorrow. “Winnie, that belongs to Kathryn. Since when you’ve become so greedy?”

Winnie’s hands, hanging by her sides, clenched tightly, unnoticed. Believing he offered her the best possible solution, Quincy continued, “Just be a good girl. Give up your spot to Kathryn. and I’ll convince Mom and Dad to let you stay.”

Thinking he’d presented her with the best option, Quincy was stunned by Winnie’s indifferent expression as she flatly refused.

“No, thank you.”

She had tried hard to win their affection in the past, learning to cook, give massages, and carve, creating talismans by hand for each family member. But none of it ever earned their genuine love. Even when she nearly died for Kathryn, she couldn’t elicit a glance of concern.

She wanted no part of such a family.

Quincy frowned at her straightforward rejection, thinking Winnie was ungrateful. Without the Henderson family, what kind of life could she possibly have?

“Quincy, why even bother talking to her? We wouldn’t keep her even if she gave up her spot and begged to stay! And she better not think about taking any Henderson property with her!”

Kathryn stepped forward, pretending to be the voice of reason, but whispered with a tone of gloating only Winnie could hear, “Winnie, I forgot to tell you something. Parker confessed his love for me the other day. We’re getting engaged soon. I know you’ve always liked Parker, but I hope you’ll wish us happiness.”

Winnie looked at Kathryn’s smug face and replied emotionlessly. “Who told you I liked him?”

Kathryn was surprised, clearly not expecting this response. Wasn’t Winnie supposed to be devastated, weeping on her knees?

Winnie shot her a look usually meant for idiots. “Cut the crap. This person you’re so crazy about is absolutely useless to me.”

She turned to the Henderson family again and knew she couldn’t reclaim her grandmother’s bracelet. But if she was going to sever ties, she preferred a clean break.

“I will repay you the upbringing costs, From now on, I have nothing to do with your temily”

time at the bracelet She glanced one last time at the bracelet on Kathryn’s wrist and said, “You won’t be able to keep that bracelet. Soon enough, you’ll return it to me by your hand.”

With those final words, Winnie walked out of the Henderson Manor without a backward glor Watching her leave, Suzan was so angry that she could hardly speak, “See, I told you she was a snake in the grass! If I weren’t for Kathryn’s sake, I would vehicles her out long agol”

Kathryn put an arm around her mother’s shoulder, trying to calm her, Maybe she just can’t accept that she’s suddenly returning to such a poor place, Don’t be mad at her, Mom.”

“You’re too kind–hearted,” Suzan sighed, looking at her daughter, then glancing in the direction Winnie had left, and muttered under her breath “Enough,” Barton said sternly, silencing the conversation.

The Henderson family didn’t know when Winnie stepped out of their garden, the blazing sun overhead seemed obscured by dark clouds, and the temperature around them seemed to drop a few degrees.

In the shadows, there was a rustling, whispering sound of something discussing playfully.

“She’s gone. She finally left.”

“This house is ours now.”

Despite the scorching June sun, Winnie felt no heat as she walked to the villa area’s entrance. Not a single drop of sweat marred her forehead.

She took out her phone. Barton, her adoptive father, had given her the contact information of her biological parents, but she had never reached out to them before.

Winnie knew little about her birth parents but was sure they weren’t wealthy, living deep in the mountains. With high school over and college on the horizon, she’d find a way to make money on her own if her birth parents couldn’t afford her education.

The idea of being sold off into marriage wasn’t even a concern for her. She doubted anyone could sell her against her will.

While Winnie pondered and pulled up the phone number, she heard a procession of cars approaching from a distance.

She raised her eyes and saw a line of sleek black Maybachs driving slowly toward her. The Hendersons didn’t live in the most upscale neighborhood, but seeing luxury cars around wasn’t out of the ordinary. Winnie figured it was some local tycoon showing off and moved aside to 2/3 avoid blocking the convoy.

But as she stepped aside, the fleet of Maybachs came to a halt right before her, lining up in two neat rows.

The drivers, dressed in black suits and white gloves, got out in perfect sync and opened the door, revealing someone of obvious importance in the central vehicle.

Winnie arched an eyebrow as she watched a pair of long, lean legs encased in dark charcoal suit trousers step out first from the sleek black car. The man emerging from the vehicle was tall and well–proportioned, his tailored suit accentuating his strikingly handsome features, lending him an of noble elegance.

The man’s gaze found hers, and he approached her leisurely. When he was close enough, he spoke, his voice a smooth, pleasant baritone. “Winnie Henderson?”

Seeing the familiar lines around his eyes and brows mirroring her own, Winnie had a hunch about who he might be. “Yes, that’s me.”

He glanced at her phone, still on the dial screen in her hand, clicked his tongue, and pressed the call button for her with a swift move.

The next second, a melodic ringtone sounded from his pocket. He pulled out his phone and held up the caller ID to her, bending slightly to match her height, a smile playing on his lips. “Pleasure to meet you for the first time. I’m your brother, Horace Bryant.”

Winnie was shocked. Her eyes silently took in the incredibly handsome “brother” before her. then drifted past him to the line of cars and the drivers who seemed straight out of the Secret Service. It took her a moment to find her voice again.

“I heard our parents lived up in the mountains…” She meant his grand entrance didn’t look like her family.

Horace thought she would continue and only said, “Our homestead is indeed in the mountains.” He paused, then added. “But the mountain belong to our family.”

Winnie was at a for words.

So, her biological parents were not just well–off but owned an entire mountain?

“Who on earth owns an entire mountain? Is that even allowed by the government?” she thought.