The Phantom Heiress Rising From The Shadows

Chapter 173 Where Is Your

Mother

Sylvie grabbed Rosie's phone in a swift motion and darted into the bathroom, where she turned on the faucet and submerged the device, finally ending the video call.

Back in the hospital room, Rosie seethed with rage, her hands trembling from the chaos that had unfolded. "What a bunch of imbeciles! They couldn't manage a simple task, and now, I am completely exposed!" she exclaimed in anger.

Sylvie's eyes flashed with shared animosity towards Brenna. "You assured us of their reliability, didn't you?" she said. "Yet, they failed in carrying out your plan."

Meanwhile, Vivian, who always seemed to maintain a cooler demeanor yet harbored a particularly deep-seated vendetta against Brenna, recalled her mortifying episode at the Imperial Bar. She had been coerced into drinking tainted alcohol, embarrassing herself in front of the Morrison family. Her parents and grandparents had been utterly disappointed in her, and her position at the company had been sidelined.

Vivian's sharp voice cut through the mounting tension. "Didn't you all notice it? Rosie was unable to disconnect the call earlier," she said. "Ethan and Jayceon have rallied to Brenna's defense. Considering the powerful allies she's gathering, of course we failed in targeting her."

Rosie's fingers tightened around the blanket, her frustration palpable as she said, "It's exasperating! That woman has amassed a crowd of supporters, turning me into a laughingstock. We can't just stand by and let Brenna triumph over us. What's our next move?"

Vivian responded with a calmness that contrasted sharply with Rosie's agitation, "The tide isn't in our favor. We need to retreat for now

and avoid making more people angry at us."

However, Rosie's defiance shone through her frustration. "I don't care about that! Even after being ousted from the Harper family, I'm more than capable of handling ordinary people. I want to see who's bold enough to confront me," she said.

With a firm expression, Vivian said, "Calm down, Rosie. We must recognize that public sentiment currently sways toward Brenna. It's imperative we maintain our silence for now."

Sylvie, determined not to back down, proposed another plan, saying, "Why don't we let someone else handle it? I've heard that the person from the Hewitt family is about to return. Brenna might find that person a formidable opponent."

Their expressions morphed into crafty, complicit smirks at the idea.

Rosie let out a cold snort. "You are right. I won't let Ethan end up with Brenna. The Hewitts hold a level of influence that the Harpers wouldn't dare to challenge."

Meanwhile, at the Harper Group building, Patrick seemed reluctant to leave.

0.0%

000

10.50

<

Where is Tuul other

His wide, pleading eyes were locked on the large car model displayed on the table.

Jayceon was trying to usher Patrick to leave quickly, planning to take him to find Ellie. However, it was clear that his son didn't want to leave now.

Brenna quickly gauged Patrick's attachment to the car model and said to him, "After my lecture, I'll give you this model, okay? Why don't you leave with your dad for now and let me finish up here?"

Patrick nodded, his small face lighting up with a smile.

As they exited the auditorium, Ethan turned to Jayceon, offering a genuine smile. "Well, it looks like you've just gained a son."noveldrama

Jayceon, however, couldn't bring himself to return the smile. The weight of his family's turmoil pressed heavily on him. Soon, the world would know of his newfound son, and the implications of that revelation were far from simple.

The child's arrival meant a shift in inheritance rights, and Jayceon feared that few would welcome him with open arms. Doubts would inevitably arise regarding the child's identity, and there would be no shortage of people eager to challenge it.

"Thank you this time," Jayceon said to Ethan, his voice heavy with gratitude. He then bent down to meet

Patrick's gaze, asking gently, "Where is your mother, Patrick?"

n before

Patrick's eyes remained fixed on Jayceon, his heart swelling with joy at the presence of his father. He had longed for this moment and, now that it was here, there was no doubt in his young heart that thi

him was truly his father.

"She's at Bayview Apartments," he replied obediently.

Jayceon's heart softened as he looked at the boy. He said, "Alright, let's go see your mom now."

Ethan watched Jayceon leave, his emotions a mix of frustration and determination. He couldn't fathom why Ernst, Brenna's brother, had targeted her like that. Determined to uncover the truth, he made his way directly

to Ernst's office.

The atmosphere around Ernst's office was tense, charged with an eerie silence that belied the storm brewing inside. Outside the office, the secretaries huddled together, their whispers filled with curiosity as they tried to eavesdrop on the heated discussion inside.

Inside the office, Shepard was having an argument with Ernst.

The secretaries, who had been with the company for years, had never witnessed such a scene before. They were so focused on what was happening inside the office that they barely registered Ethan's arrival.

Ethan paused at the slightly open door of Ernst's office, hearing the muffled but intense exchange between Shepard and Ernst. He knocked firmly twice before pushing the door open and stepping inside.

Inside, Ernst stood resolute by his desk as Shepard confronted him, his face etched with anger. "She's your sister, Ernst. You stripped her of her dignity by questioning her publicly. Is this the right behavior of a brother? You let unfounded gossip sway your judgment instead of trusting her. Is someone who acts on hearsay without proof worthy of leading the company as CEO? Who filled your mind with such nonsense?"

Ernst's expression was grim, marked by a dawning realization of his misjudgment. He had placed his faith in

42.2%

10:50

O <

Rosie, believing she was above spreading falsehoods. Now, confronted with the reality that Rosie had manipulated him into this debacle, he understood the gravity of his mistake. Now, he not only needed to leave. the company, but his reputation within the Harper Group was also tarnished, with colleagues whispering about. his harsh treatment of his own sister.

Ernst's voice was devoid of warmth as he spoke. "You don't have to say more. I'll just step down and leave the

company."

<