The Bride They Replaced Came Back Richer Chapter 02

The Bride They Replaced Came Back Richer Chapter 02

Twenty years ago, I’d cut all ties with the Whitaker family.

I’d also changed my name to the one I used now.

Serena Whitaker didn’t look all that different from twenty years ago.

Only her waist-length hair had been pinned up.

Age had given her a polished calm.

The second she saw me, she froze.

A few seconds later, she smiled.

“So you’re Oliver’s mother. Of all people.”

I didn’t answer.

“Claire.”

Mockery crept into Serena Whitaker’s eyes.

“I heard you stayed single all these years, and yet… you have a child?”

“Serena, did you come here for a reason?”

Serena finally seemed to remember why she was here.

Her gaze toward me turned icy.

“Isla has been crying nonstop since she got home.”

“Than What?”

“Don’t you think you’re being completely shameless?”

I shrugged coolly.

“Your point?”

Serena Whitaker glared at me.

“You couldn’t take me down, so now you’re taking it out on an innocent girl?”

I didn’t respond.

“Claire Whitaker.”

Serena’s voice dropped.

“Don’t think that just because Oliver became a rising billionaire CEO, you get to pull all the strings.”

“Don’t forget, Spencer used to be a billionaire tycoon too.”

“And Isla’s grandmother, my mother, is internationally renowned.”

I didn’t even look at her.

“And?”

“Does your family interfere in other people’s family matters now?”

“I…”

Serena Whitaker tightened her grip on her handbag.

“I’m just reminding you not to take it too far.”

“You barged into my reception and demanded I accept your daughter.”

My expression hardened.

“So tell me, which one of us is taking it too far?”

Serena gritted her teeth.

In high society, her behavior had always been tolerated.

Everyone gave her plenty of leeway because of Spencer and my mother.

But that didn’t work with me.

I gave the security staff a look.

Someone immediately stepped forward and seized both of her arms.

“Claire Whitaker, how dare you treat me like this!”

Serena Whitaker started to panic.

I didn’t lift my head.

For the first time in her life, Serena Whitaker was dragged out in such an embarrassing way, both arms pinned by security.

“Claire Whitaker! You’ve lost your mind!”

The door slammed shut, cutting off her voice.

I dabbed the corner of my mouth with my napkin.

Then I stood and gave the guests a slight bow.

“I apologize for disturbing everyone’s evening.”

“I’ve prepared guest favors for all of you. Please collect them from the estate manager on your way out.”

“I hope the rest of your night is pleasant.”

After saying that, I turned and left the reception.

Oliver followed me out.

The next morning, I had just gotten up when someone was waiting outside the front gate, asking to see me.

The door opened.

Spencer and I met each other’s eyes.

It had been a full twenty years since the last time we saw each other.

“I came because of them.”

Spencer got straight to the point.

He glanced around the interior of my estate.

His expression turned wistful.

“You built all of this yourself, step by step, over the years?”

My tone was light.

“Who exactly was supposed to help me?”

His gaze landed on me.

He sighed softly.

“What happened back then… I was impulsive too.”

“Then who did you come here for, Mr. Ashford?”

Spencer’s breath hitched.

The girl who used to cling to his arm and call him her husband-to-be again and again could now throw his words right back in his face without blinking.

Spencer sighed again.

“I admit I’ve spoiled them too much.”

“You know that both your mother and I have always spoiled them.”

“You were so heartless yesterday that neither of them has been able to eat a proper meal since.”

“Heartless?”

I set my coffee cup down and stared straight into his eyes.

“Mr. Ashford, do I no longer have the right to handle my own family matters?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

Spencer paused slightly.

“It’s just that everyone can see it.”

“You’re clearly doing this for revenge.”