Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

Chapter 1827: Victory... almost

Meanwhile...

The sound of gunfire echoed everywhere, but from where Nathalie stood, it was faint—barely audible beneath the smooth jazz playing from the phonograph. Odd? Perhaps. But not for her.

For her, the sound of gunfire was the sound of victory—her victory.

"It was a long war, Naylani," she whispered to herself, sauntering over to the stand where her wine waited. Her lips curled as she picked up the glass.

Swirling it gently, the deep red hue coated the curved glass. She took a slow sip, letting its sweet aroma and taste coat her tongue. Satisfaction painted her expression.

"How sweet," she murmured. "But nothing’s sweeter than the taste of victory."

This war had lasted decades.

It all began the moment her father uttered those cursed words: "Take care of the Zorken Family, Naylani." From then on, Nathalie had been fighting—not just for power, but for control of her life, of everything she was robbed of by those mere seven words.

She’d started with only a few factions of the secret society and half the Zorken Family reluctantly backing her. Now? Her organization had grown so vast that she no longer needed the Zorken Family’s military power—the Shadow Order.

Yes, that was the only reason Nathalie had built her own empire: to prove to the Zorken Family and the Shadow Order that she didn’t need them. If they couldn’t accept her, even after both Noel and Naylani were dead, then she’d claim power on her own terms.

Although, she had to admit, she disliked how lowly their businesses were. Not out of guilt, of course. Her issue was purely aesthetic. These illegal dealings simply lacked class. Not that she could complain.

"After this, I should pay a visit to a few others as well," she hummed, lifting her glass to her lips. "Without the Shadow Order, nothing can stop me or anyone from claiming a new seat in High Society."

chuckle escaped her as she took another sip,

still taking her time, waiting for Butler Gilbert to return so they could leave the mansion, when he

don’t like the look on your face," she said coolly. "What is it

her, his expression grim, swallowing

have to go," he said.

glancing at the window and then back at him. "What’s

his lips into a thin line. "We

scoff. "After all, Zoren’s men wouldn’t just sit still after hearing the gunfire

that, Madam," he shook his head.

do you mean, they got in? A mere small group of not more than thirty was able to

soldiers had they stationed at the entrance of the mansion? Fifty? Sixty? Were they all that bad that even with their numbers, they

be. Just kill them all. After all, even if they get in, Zoren’s already dead. They’ve lost. What they’re doing is just a

the music playing. But as she took several steps, she stopped at

"He’s alive."

her head to the side.

"Zoren Pierson is alive—"

CLANG!

end of his sentence was cut short by a sharp clang as the glass in her hand flew, hitting his head directly. Butler

hissed, her dark eyes burning. "Zoren

throbbing on his forehead but looked at her apologetically. His reaction, however,

escaped her, grinding her teeth. "You ordered your men to kill him. Tell me how he could survive fifteen armed men while