The Mafia Heiress's Comeback: She's More Than You Think novel Chapter 81

Chapter 81 I’m Not Asking

For Your Permission

Maren burst through the doorway and grabbed the camera from Ashton’s grasp.

As Ashton came to realize the situation, he found his hands empty.

“Maren, what are you doing!?” he exclaimed, startled by her sudden appearance and how quickly she snatched

the camera.

Maren’s unexpected early return was not the only surprise; she also appeared completely unharmed.

Wasn’t she supposed to be beaten and lying on the gym floor after going up against Daniel?

With a sly half–smile, Maren responded, “Disappointed to see me alive and kicking?”

“What nonsense are you talking about? Of course, I’m relieved you’re safe!” Ashton quickly replied, casting a wary glance at the reporters and signaling them to exit.

After the reporters had left, Ashton watched as Maren reviewed the camera’s footage.

“Maren, I do care about you, but what you did today damaged our family’s name. I had to be firm to protect

our reputation.”

“I think the footage looks fantastic,” Maren said, surprising Ashton.

“Wait, what did you just say? You aren’t upset?”

“Upset? Why should I be? The shares belong to me. Just give them back, and I’ll be on my way,” Maren responded, pouring herself a glass of water and settling onto the sofa.

Given the hectic events of the day, from a raid on the western outskirts to a duel at the military academy, she hadn’t even had a moment to drink water. She was quite thirsty.

A scowl formed on Ashton’s face. “Have you lost your mind? Who told you I’d return those shares to you!”

“You promised that once I graduated from the Royal Military Academy, I’d be strong enough to claim them. So hand them over,” Maren replied, setting her glass down.

“I said that if you could defeat the dean…” Ashton’s voice faltered. “Hold on, are you saying…?”

A realization began to dawn on him as he noticed Maren’s unsettling calm and unblemished appearance.

Maren was perfectly unscathed, and it sent a shiver down Ashton’s spine. He wasted no time in calling Cullum. “Is something wrong, Dad?” Cullum answered immediately, his voice echoing from the academy.

“How did the duel go today?” Ashton asked, his gaze fixed on Maren’s too–composed demeanor, which

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<Chapter 81 I’m Not Asking For Your Permission

unnerved him. He pressed for the truth from Cullum.

Silence hung in the air before Cullum finally replied, “Dad, it looks like we’ve all underestimated Maren.”

The impact of his son’s words struck Ashton deeply, echoing through his thoughts like a clap of thunder. Could it be that Maren had actually won?

A whirlwind of thoughts tormented Ashton. Just moments earlier, he was reveling in his decision to disinherit Maren and secure everything for himself.

The change came too fast, too hard. Luckily, he hadn’t uploaded the video yet.

And now, that very video was in Maren’s possession.

The stakes were high. If Maren released it, Ashton’s reputation could crumble.

What would others think of him then?

Moreover, if Maren left with the shares, it’d be like giving up the entire family legacy.

“That video was just for fun, Maren. Mind handing it back?” Ashton asked, reaching out, hoping to brush the whole thing off. That footage needed to stay buried.

“Dad, aren’t you the one who’s always talking about keeping promises?” Maren had no patience for small talk. The moment had come for her to take back what was rightfully hers.

Reluctant to give in but knowing he was trapped, Ashton pleaded, “Maren, running a business isn’t the same as a fight. You’re not ready. This company was your mother’s legacy. Do you really want to see it fall apart? Why not let me take care of it? I’ve kept the company alive all this time, haven’t I?”

“I believe I can run it better,” Maren replied, undeterred by his argument.

She remained skeptical of everything Ashton said.

Her approach to business management was far superior to theirs.

Ashton made another attempt. He now leaned toward a more emotional appeal. “Maren, after all the years I’ve spent raising you, how can you consider ousting your own father?”

Yet Maren didn’t flinch–emotional tactics had no effect on her. “It didn’t feel like we were family when you decided to publicly disown me,” she retorted.

Now he was trying to invoke family ties? It was too late for that.

Ashton realized, in shock, that Maren was serious about her stance. She was not playing games.