Chapter 22
Briar showered fast and came downstairs for breakfast twenty minutes later. Even though she’d been living abroad for years, she still liked the locals Dasmieca–style breakfast.
The moment she sat down, a servant brought her food. She ate
slowly while
e scrolling on her phone, clearly dragging things out on purpose.
Beatrice, who had calmed down thanks to Halle, just scoffed when
Briar. She didn’t say a word or rush Briar.
Almost an hour later, Briar finally finished. She wiped her mouth, stoo
She picked up her bag and headed to the door without waiting for them.
Halle and Beatrice trailed behind, quiet like maids.
This wasn’t just Briar being cold–it was her openly mocking them.
and said, “Let’s go.”
Even Halle, who was usually good at keeping her cool, was s fuming inside. Still, she reminded herself to hold on for a few more days. Soon, Briar would be humiliated in front of everyone.
Outside, the driver was waiting. He opened the front passenger door for Briar, and the back doors for Halle and Beatrice–splitting them into separate spaces in the car.
Briar gave the driver a look, but he acted like he didn’t
see it
and just drove.
Forty minutes later, they arrived at the biggest mall in Shoneport–the one where all the rich folks shopped. Most of the clothes there started at 3,000 dollars a piece.
Halle usually avoided this place. She didn’t have the budget for it. But today was different. They had Edgar’s 150 thousand dollars to spend.
Briar didn’t know Halle had been living on such a tight budget for years. She went straight into a few familiar stores, picked out two dresses, and spent the entire 150 thousand dollars–all by herself.
Then she left with her bags, not even glancing at Halle or Beatrice.
It wasn’t until she’d completely vanished from view that the sales clerk approached Halle and Beatrice with the receipt, asking them to complete the
payment.
Snapped out of their stunned silence, they finally realized what had just happened.
But it was too late–Briar was gone. And without paying, there was no
They went home furious, only to find Briar already on the couch, leg dresses were sitting right next to her.
Beatrice stared at the bags, itching to see what was inside.
they’d be allowed to leave.
Ssed, playing games on her phone. The two large shopping bags with the pricey
“Briar, how could you spend all the money Dad gave us by yourself?” she snapped, making sure to say us loudly. She wanted to make it clear that Briar had spent her share of the money.
Briar didn’t even look up. “Didn’t Dad say not to hold back? I only bought two dresses. If you want more money, just ask him. The Jennings family’s not
broke.”
Beatrice was speechless. She knew the family was rich, but Edgar had never handed out money like this before.
She’d planned to buy a few outfits with the 150 thousand dollars. But Briar had blown it all on just two. Each dress cost 75 thousand dollars.
In all their years with the Jennings family, neither she nor Halle had ever worn anything that expensive.
1/3
Chapter 22.
As Beatrice and Halle kept grumbling, Briar finally got annoyed and called Edgar. She put him on speaker, “Dad, Is the Jennings family short, oncashi! just bought two dresses, but Halle and Beatrice won’t stop whining.”
Edgar sounded like he was in a meeting. He kept his voice low. “If you liked them, buy them. I can afford it. They’re just used to being cheap Ignore
them.”
Beatrice and Halle were stunned. They couldn’t believe he said that. They’d only been careful with money because Edgar never gave them enough to begin with.
Briar didn’t care that Halle looked like she was about to faint. She got the answer she wanted and hung up. “See? As the Jennings family heir, spending 150 thousand dollars on two dresses is me being responsible.”
Halle and Beatrice said nothing. They just sat there, burning with rage.
Two days later, Briar got up early and rode her motorcycle to pick Ellen up for the move.
Ellen had been kicked out by her foster parents when she was fourteen. Since then, she barely made enough from part–time jobs to eat and cover rent. She didn’t have much to pack.
All her stuff fit into one small suitcase–mostly school uniforms and books.
They didn’t need movers. Briar just called a local delivery service to send Ellen’s things over to the new place.
Then she gave Ellen a helmet and drove her to Moonspring Estate on her motorcycle. The guards at the gate already recognized Briar’s license plate from when she bought the house, so they waved her right in.
On the way to Ellen’s new home, they passed by Briar’s place. The house next door had movers bringing in furniture. It looked like someone was moving in.
Briar didn’t think much of it. She wasn’t interested in meeting new neighbors. She just kept driving.
Ellen had a big smile the whole way. It felt like she was finally leaving her old life behind. Now she had a real home, her brother, and Briar.
She could go to school in peace. She didn’t have to worry about food or rent anymore. For the first time, she felt safe and hopeful–no more yelling, no more surprise visits from her foster parents. Life didn’t seem so scary now.
Briar hired a part–time housekeeper for Ellen. The woman would cook lunch and dinner and come every other day to clean. Ellen just had to take care of
her own breakfast.
Ellen was happy with that. The housekeeper made lunch that day–four dishes and a soup, with both meat and veggies. Briar stayed to eat with Ellen before heading out.
She didn’t say anything else before heading out–there was no need. The neighborhood was safe, and Briar had already installed cameras so she could. check in on Ellen anytime.
“Bye, Briar!” Ellen stood at the gate, waving with bright eyes and a cheerful voice.
“See you.” Briar tugged her helmet down, gave a cool wave without turning back, and roared off on her bike.
Not long after Briar left, Brandon stepped out of the house next door to hers. He told the workers, “That’s enough for now. We’re not even sure if Mr. Wade is gonna stay here.”
The foreman nodded and called over his crew They packed up quickly and left.
They’d been paid three times their usual rate just to bring in furniture, so they were all smiles as
they left.
Brandon glanced at Briar’s gate and muttered, “What’s so special about Miss Jennin
that she caught Mr. Wade’s eye? After all, he never cares about
13:39. Mon 28 Jul J
Chapter 22
Women.”
Morton came out and overheard him. “Isn’t it obvious?”
Brandon turned. “What? You know? Tell me!”
Morton gave him a look like he was slow. “It’s love at first sight, you idiot.”
Brandon was too shocked to reply.
“You don’t believe it, huh?” Morton said. “Ashton’s into her because she’s different. She’s got that cool, no–nonsense vibe.”
ex
Brandon blinked. Sure, Briar was gorgeous and had attitude. But Ashton was a his bed the same night.
always surrounded by beautiful people. If he wanted someone, they’d be in
Morton clapped Brandon on the shoulder. “You’re single,
man. You wouldn’t get it. Love’s weird. It hits when you least expect it.”
Brandon still didn’t buy it, so he kept quiet.
Meanwhile, now that Ellen had moved in, Briar was ready to deal with the Jennings and Hargreaves families.
At fourteen, she’d already gone into dangerous places and fought her way out alone, So a few sneaky tricks from the Jennings family members didn’t scare her. If they wanted to gang up on her, fine–she’d hit back harder.
Thanks to Halle and Beatrice spreading the word, everyone in their social circle already knew about the party the Jennings family was throwing for Briar.
No matter what people thought of the Jennings family, everyone agreed on one thing–Briar’s return wasn’t simple. And a lot of folks planned to show up just to see what would go down.
A
