Chapter 7 "Dad, you're finally here." The moment Edward Westbrook saw me-my dress torn, my face streaked with blood and dirt-his eyes softened. Then they filled with grief. "My sweet girl... it's my fault. I didn't protect you." His voice cracked as he brushed a trembling hand over my hair. Tears glistened in his eyes, but when he turned to face the Harringtons, the warmth vanished. His gaze sharpened into steel. "So it was you," he thundered. "You dared lay a hand on my daughter?" The room went silent. The power radiating from him made even the boldest men avert their eyes. Richard stiffened, trying to keep his composure, but his voice wavered. "We've been building Harrington Corp. in Baymont for decades. You can't expect to destroy us with a snap of your fingers." Edward scoffed. "Watch me. If the Harringtons aren't finished by sunrise, I'll change my name." He made one phone call, short and calm. Then he simply took my hand and led me out of the wreckage. "Anna! Can you forgive me?" Christopher's voice cracked behind me. I didn't turn. My hand was already wrapped tightly in Alex's. He was the only brother I recognized now. That night, Edward summoned ten doctors. One after another, they checked me from head to toe. He refused to rest until every last one confirmed I was fine. Only then did he finally let out a long breath. Meanwhile, the Harringtons burned the midnight oil. The lights of their skyscraper blazed, phones rang nonstop, executives scrambled like ants. While they panicked, I lounged on the couch, surrounded by Edward and Alex. We ordered every delicacy Baymont had to offer, feasting until I collapsed in laughter and exhaustion. My phone buzzed on the table. Reluctantly, I answered. "Anna... please," Richard's voice cracked on the other end. "Tell Mr. Westbrook to stop. Harrington Corp. won't survive this." I stayed silent. His desperation grew. "Anna, I'm begging you. If you help us, everything the Harringtons own will be yours. I'll make you my sole heir. You'll have it all." Chapter 7 26.92% Play games anytime an Facebook SOLITAIRE f Facebook 4.1 FREE Installed Open See which Facebook Instant Games are trending now Open the app. A bitter laugh escaped me. "I'm Edward Westbrook's daughter now. Do you think I need your scraps?" I hung up before he could answer, a surprising sense of relief washing over me. Before I even realized it, I had drifted into sleep. By morning, the headlines were everywhere. Harrington Corp., once the number one conglomerate in Baymont, had declared bankruptcy overnight. Debts exceeding billions. Every asset seized. Photos plastered the news-Richard and Christopher slumped on the steps of their building, hollow-eyed, surrounded by furious creditors. Richard looked decades older, broken beyond repair. Poetic justice. Later that evening, as I was preparing to fly back with Edward, a shadow lunged out from the garage. A hand clamped over my mouth. My heart seized until I recognized the voice. "Anna, it's me. I'm your brother!" I struggled. "What do you want? If you hurt me, my Dad and Alex will destroy you." He slammed his fist against the wall, roaring in anger. "I'm your brother! Your real brother!" I didn't understand what was driving him crazy. "Don't leave, please stay... can't we just be a family again?" "Before Mom left, she asked me to take care of my sister, and I was the one who made the wrong choice..." His voice began to break, choking with emotion. "I'm sorry..." "I was so wrong, you should've been my real sister all along, but I helped the enemy... Before I could say anything, he let go of me and ran out the door without looking back. I recovered from the shock and headed to the airport to meet Dad. Just before the private jet took off, my phone buzzed with a message: [Anna, forgive me.] My heart skipped a beat. Then, I watched a video of the Harrington heir committing murder. Chapter 7 f Play games anytime on Facebook 26.92% SOLITAIRE Facebook f 4.1 FREE Installed Open See which Facebook Instant Games are trending now. Open the app. Christopher, holding a knife, was relentlessly stabbing Madeline. No matter how she struggled, he only repeated one thing, "You deserve to die!" When he realized Madeline was no longer breathing, he collapsed to the ground, a look of relief on his face as he quietly waited for the police to take him away. After watching the video, I turned off my phone as usual. I laughed and chatted with Alex by my side. By the time the plane landed, I breathed in the fresh air. From now on, this place would be my only home. Chapter 7 26.92%