Heiress Unmasked: Shaking the World With Geomancy novel Chapter 49

"Thanks for the word of advice. I'll see how things go," Shannon replied.

In other words, she expressed her gratitude for Clara's reminder while subtly hinting that she wasn't going to do as she said.

Clara eyed Shannon strangely before shrugging. "Whatever. It's up to you. I only gave you a reminder because I saw how decisively you cut off all ties with your adoptive parents. It made me think you were a sensible person."

She held her hand out and smiled before introducing herself. "My name is Clara Leigh. My family owns Leigh Property."

Shannon never held people who showed no ill will toward her at arm's length. Moreover, she rather liked Clara, who carried herself in a straightforward, easygoing manner.

She shook Clara's hand.

Noticing the dark pink glow on Clara's forehead, she smiled faintly and said, "You're currently plagued by an undesirable romantic affair. Beware of those who want to try and make you feel like you owe them."

Shannon was always generous in giving warnings to those she had favorable impressions of.

However, Clara was confused. She didn't know why the subject had changed so drastically. "Do you… really believe those things?"

She assumed Shannon merely said those things earlier to expose the Grays.

Shannon replied, "Not only do I believe in such things, but I'm even an expert in them. If you wish to fend off malicious people, feel free to come to me."

Clara didn't know what to say. She thought there was something weird about Shannon.

…

Over at the Gray residence, the trio had returned home in complete silence.

Despite not having anyone else around during the ride back, Sheila continued to cup her mouth tightly. She feared she would start blabbering uncontrollably about her true feelings again.

Connor had a dinner appointment tonight, so he couldn't attend the Jensens' banquet with the rest of the family. He thought they wouldn't be home so soon, but to his surprise, they arrived just moments after he did.

As soon as they entered, Connor noticed Francis' foul expression, Rachel's reddened eyes, and Sheila's hands clutching her mouth.

"Mom? Dad? What's—"

Rachel was also terrified by the sudden display from someone she always knew as a loving father. Feeling aggrieved, she sniffled and said, "Dad, stop! You're scaring me."

It would've been better if she had stayed quiet. Alas, she had drawn attention to herself, and Francis' anger was now directed at her.

"I haven't even settled the score with you yet! You and your mother knew full well that Shannon was the Jensens' long-lost daughter, but you both kept it a secret from me!

"I thought you two genuinely wanted to help me get back the deal with Jensen Corporation, but it turned out that you were the reason why it was canceled in the first place!"

Francis' furious outburst made Rachel so scared that she started shaking.

Seeing that, Sheila struggled back onto her feet and quickly shielded Rachel in her arms.

No longer bothering to cover her mouth, she snarled, "Francis! How can you lash out at Rachel? She's your daughter! Why are you blaming us for your own incompetence?

"Why didn't you do anything just now, huh? You were all wimpy and cowardly back there, but here you are now, taking your anger out on us, you bastard!"

Connor was thunderstruck. He couldn't believe those words that just came out of Sheila's mouth.