The Phantom Heiress Rising From The Shadows

Chapter 281 I Really Don't Understand What Mr....

Brenna turned to see a meticulously dressed little girl enter, resembling a life- sized Barbie doll.

"Brenna!" Suddenly, Brenna's leg was embraced, and looking down, she saw Patrick had somehow run over, his expression a pout of unhappiness.

Brenna gently took his hand. "What's wrong?"

"Daddy got called away and left me all alone. I don't like it here." Patrick's eyes flashed with hurt as he glared at Tina. "She just called me a bastard!"

Brenna's expression turned cold. Just as she had feared, the notorious infighting within the Russell family had already ensnared an innocent child. Even siblings in the family seemed to take pleasure in tearing each other down

She crouched down to Patrick's level. "Stay with me. I'll make sure she regrets calling you that."

"Okay!" Patrick's eyes brightened with a hint of vengeful anticipation as he nodded eagerly.

At noon, Amy Russell, the matriarch of the Russell family, made her entrance. She was silver-haired yet surprisingly spry. Her rosy cheeks and lively stride belied her age. She looked to be in a good mood.

"You must be the Harper girl who has recently returned," Amy said to Brenna.

"Yes, that's me. Happy birthday, Mrs. Russell," Brenna said respectfully.

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Amy's gaze lingered pointedly on Brenna's arm linked with Ethan's. "You are quite the beauty. Have you been engaged to Ethan?"

Brenna answered, "No, but we are dating."

Amy's lips pursed slightly. "I always thought Rosie would become Ethan's wife. All of this is rather unexpected.

clear Shepard favors his

polite smile vanished. Beneath Amy's kind exterior lurked a sharp tongue; these

were intended to

exchanging amused glances as

the elder of the Russell

said sweetly, slipping her arm through Amy's with practiced ease, "you

so kind to me."

manners-not a single family member came

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Don't Understand What Mr.

if the Harper family ever mistreats you, I will stand up

beamed. "Thank

almost laughed. The audacity of this meddling old woman. Her own family was a hotbed of conflict, yet here she was, trying to meddle

to create animosity between her and Rosie was

person.

Amy's obvious favoritism, Brenna wondered if she envisioned

Russell family.

clearly anticipating an outburst that

opened her mouth to respond, Ethan gave

were a rare commodity within the Russell family. "Mrs. Russell, Rosie has always been treated well in the Harper family. Luther cherishes her, Shepard has raised her like she were his own daughter, and I have always regarded her

on Rosie.

hitched in her throat. Ethan was talking to her in a very

had never talked to her with