Betrayed, Then Back For Blood

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.

of their stunned silence, they finally

late–Briar was gone.

find Briar already on the couch, leg dresses were sitting right

at the bags, itching to

allowed to

phone. The

all the money Dad gave us by yourself?” she snapped, making sure to say us loudly. She wanted to make

say not to hold back? I only bought two dresses. If you want more money, just

broke.”

the family was rich, but Edgar had never handed

to buy a few outfits with the 150 thousand dollars. But Briar had blown it all on just two. Each dress cost 75

the Jennings family, neither she nor Halle had ever worn anything that

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Chapter 22.

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

He kept his voice low. “If you liked them, buy them.

them.”

They couldn’t believe he said that. They’d only been careful with money

wanted and hung up. “See?

nothing. They just sat there, burning with

days later, Briar got up early and rode her motorcycle to pick Ellen

when she was fourteen. Since then, she barely made enough from part–time jobs to

stuff fit into one small

Briar just called a local delivery

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

home, they passed by Briar’s place. The house next door had movers bringing in

didn’t think much of it. She wasn’t interested

It felt like she was finally leaving her old life behind. Now she had a real home,

first time, she felt safe and hopeful–no more yelling, no more surprise visits from her foster parents. Life didn’t

The woman would cook lunch and dinner and come every other day to

her own breakfast.

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

say anything else before heading out–there was no need. The neighborhood was safe, and

stood at the gate, waving with bright eyes

helmet down, gave a cool

door to hers. He told the workers, “That’s enough for now. We’re not