The Heiress's Comeback

Chapter 194: [ Volume 1] Chaper 194-Hidding something.

Ray opened his mouth to protest, but Esme wasn’t done. "And you, Mr. Scientist," she snapped, turning to Jay, "do you have any idea how much it costs to fix your lab every time you burn it down? Because I sure do. I’m the one who ends up scrubbing the floors and replacing the equipment. So, tell me, how does the money for this diamond ring, which is practically a drop in the ocean, even register as a crisis?"

Jay shifted uncomfortably, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks as he struggled to find a comeback. Esme wasn’t finished with him yet.

"And you, Mr. Kai," she continued, her voice rising with each word, "do you have any clue how much it costs every time you lose your temper and break a client’s arm? Who do you think has to settle those disputes? Spoiler alert: it’s always me!"

Kai squirmed in his seat, the weight of her words settling heavily on him. He opened his mouth to respond but thought better of it, recognizing the truth in her statement.

"Lastly, we have Rayan," Esme declared, finally fixing her gaze on the quietest brother. "Mr. Silent Treatment, do you think your precious medicines come for free? All those exotic treatments and rare herbs you insist on using? You think they magically appear every time you need them?"

Rayan flinched, the harshness of her words hitting him squarely in the chest. The room grew thick with tension as Esme’s frustration hung heavily in the air, each brother feeling the sting of her truth.

"You all," she asserted, her voice a mix of incredulity and anger, "spend millions every day! And now you’re sitting here acting like a few thousand yen for a diamond ring is a crisis? Are you even listening to yourselves?"

Silence enveloped the room, her words echoing painfully in their minds. The brothers exchanged uneasy glances, the absurdity of their concerns dawning on them. They had let their privilege blind them to the larger picture, and now they were facing the consequences of their ridiculousness.

"I’m exhausted," Esme said finally, her tone softening, though the fire in her voice lingered. "I’ve been working all day, and all I wanted was a single night of peace and quiet. And yet here you are, telling me that this—" she gestured emphatically, "this is what constitutes a crisis?"

The weight of her disappointment hung heavily in the air, suffocating them. Each brother felt a mix of shame and understanding as they recognized how they had taken her strength and patience for granted.

"I don’t need to manage your finances on top of everything else I do," Esme added, her voice dropping to a weary whisper, "so figure it out. I’m going to bed."

As she turned to leave, the brothers exchanged guilty looks, the reality of their folly sinking in.

The Aron brothers exchanged frantic glances, their hearts racing as they realized their plan was teetering on the edge of disaster. They couldn’t let Esme leave the room—not now. If she stepped out, everything they had orchestrated would unravel, and they would lose the precious chance to make things right. Jay, feeling the tension mount, hurriedly reached out and grasped her shoulder, his voice shifting to a soothing tone. "Wife, you must be tired. Let me give you a massage."

Esme turned sharply, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized Jay. "What did you break?" she demanded, suspicion weaving through her words like a thread of tension.

Caught off guard, Jay froze for a moment, the corners of his mouth twitching nervously as guilt flickered in his gaze. "What do you mean, ’what did I break’? I didn’t break anything," he stammered, his tone a blend of innocence and unease.

"Okay," she replied, skepticism lacing her voice. She pivoted to face the other brothers, who were seated in a semi-circle, their expressions betraying a mix of anxiety and anticipation. "Then tell me, what did you guys do? Did you break my watch?"

The brothers exchanged panicked looks before shaking their heads in unison. "No," they chorused, their denial too quick, too practiced.

Esme’s brow furrowed, her patience waning as she pressed on. "Did you break my alarm clock that I put on the bedside table?"

Again, they denied it, shaking their heads, the weight of their shared secret pressing heavily upon them.

"Did you burn my clothes?" Esme’s voice rose, the accusation hanging in the air, and this time, they shook their heads with increased urgency, their faces a mix of horror and dread.

"Okay, then I’m going to check my clothes," Esme declared, determination flashing in her eyes as she pushed her chair back to stand.

But Jay, sensing the impending disaster, tightened his grip on her shoulders, desperation creeping into his voice. "Esme, wait—"

With a flicker of golden light igniting in her eyes, Esme stood up resolutely, breaking free from his grasp. She began to walk purposefully toward her room, Jay stumbling over himself to keep pace. "Wait, where are you going? Why don’t you just—hey, hey!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the confined space as the brothers scrambled to follow her.

As Esme approached her room, a knot of dread formed in her stomach, anticipation and anxiety swirling within her. "What’s going on?" she muttered, a whisper of fear threading through her words. Jay, trying to keep up, blurted out, "I said nothing! I mean, you know, I was weak, but I just—"

He pushed the door open, and as Esme stepped inside, her heart raced at the sight before her. The room had been transformed into a whimsical wonderland. Balloons in vibrant hues floated lazily in the air, their cheerful colors contrasting with the soft pastels of the walls.

Streamers draped across the ceiling like cascading ribbons, creating a festive ambiance that felt almost surreal.

A table was set with an array of treats—delicate pastries, colorful cupcakes topped with swirls of frosting, and her favorite snacks arranged artfully like a work of art.