The Phantom Heiress Rising From The Shadows novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53 You’re Not Our Daughter

Brenna had no idea what Rosie was up to, but she knew it was definitely nothing good. Rosie’s fake smile and calculating gaze made it painfully obvious.

She met Rosie’s gaze with a smirk and said, “Don’t tell me your ultimate life goal is to marry rich.”

She didn’t hold back. “Seriously? You’re still stuck on that? Can’t you aim for something else? Is life impossible

without a man?”

Rosie’s expression darkened. Feeling mocked, she quickly retorted, “I think you’re the one who is like that. The moment you came back, you seduced Ethan. He is now wrapped around your finger, doting on you nonstop. If anyone’s desperate to land a man, it’s you.”

Brenna’s patience thinned. She shot her a sharp look and corrected her, saying, “Did you see me seducing him? He’s the one clinging to me.”

A thought crossed Brenna’s mind, and a soft chuckle escaped her lips. The mockery in her eyes was unmistakable. In a jeering tone, she said, “I see. He has never treated you the way he treats me, has he? You are jealous.”

She laughed again and continued, her tone light but cutting, “Guess men don’t just pick women based on family background after all. Seems like you’re not as impressive as you think.”

Rosie’s face twisted with anger. She glared at Brenna and snapped, “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you insulting me?”

Brenna arched a brow, as if she had just confirmed something. “It’s not an insult. It’s a fact. You’ve been clinging to Ethan, but he barely acknowledges you. You keep coming after me because of him. That just proves your real goal in life is just secure a wealthy husband. Tell me I’m wrong.”

Rosie stiffened, caught off guard by Brenna’s words. Brenna had peeled back her intentions like an open book. Flustered, she exclaimed, “Stop making this about me! As if you’re any different!”

With that, Rosie spun on her heel and turned to leave, slamming the door behind her.

Brenna barely spared her a glance. She opened her laptop, and her eyes flicked back to her design drafts. Under her breath, she muttered, “All she ever thinks about is men. Pathetic.”

Her lips curled in disdain. Rosie had wealth, privilege, and every opportunity at her fingertips, yet no ambition.

What a waste.

Meanwhile, Rosie stormed into her room, seething. She grabbed a pillow and hurled it onto the bed. “She dar to call me obsessed with men? As if she isn’t? Before she even became part of the Harper family, she was already using Ethan to protect her. She’s nothing but a whore!”

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Chapter 53 You’re Not Our Daughter

The more she thought about how Ethan always defended Brenna, the more her jealousy burned

Why? What made Brenna so special? Why had Ethan never treated her that way?

She couldn’t understand it.

Just then, a thought struck her. If Brenna wasn’t a Harper, would Ethan still care about her?

No. He would probably abandon her in an instant, thinking she wasn’t good enough for him.

Rosie muttered, “Just wait, Brenna. You’ll be kicked out of the Harper family soon enough.”

She snatched up her phone, her expression dark as she dialed a number. Her grip tightened around the device as she thought of a way to win over Giselle and Shepard again. She had spent years calling them mom and dad and treating them like her real parents. Now that Brenna was back, was she just supposed to stop calling them

that? No way.

Giselle’s words had been cruel earlier. Rosie wouldn’t admit it out loud, but they stung her more than she had expected.

She couldn’t just let this go. If she lost the right to call them Mom and Dad, and worse, lost her shares in Harper Group, her entire future would be in shambles.

Even if Giselle was disappointed in her, she had to make things right. No matter how shameless she had to be to do that.

She stood at the door for what felt like forever, summoning the courage to leave her room and go to apologize to Giselle. In her mind, she played out every possible scenario, most of them ending with Giselle shutting her out without a second thought.

Taking a shaky breath, she finally turned the handle, stepped into the hallway, and headed for Giselle’s room. She wasn’t sure if those harsh words had been spoken in anger or if Giselle had truly meant them. If she apologized now, would she be forgiven? Or would she only humiliate herself further?

Doubt gnawed at her, but she kept walking

“Rosie.” Just then, a voice echoed from behind her.

Rosie turned to see Ernst standing on the stairs, now dressed in casual clothes, looking at her.

For a brief moment, Rosie felt like a child caught sneaking around. Unease flickered across her face. After a moment of silence, she admitted, “Ernst, I messed up earlier. I said something that upset Mom, and now… I don’t know if she and Dad will forgive me.”

She rarely voiced her fears, but with Ernst, it was different. He had always been on her side. After a pause, she added, “They seemed really mad earlier.”

“Mom and Dad won’t stay angry with you forever. I’ll go with you.” Ernst descended the stairs and knocked on the bedroom door. He had a few things to say to Giselle and Shepard, too.

A moment later, the door swung open.

Giselle stood there, her face still tight with anger. When she saw them standing there, her expression didn’t

soften

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