Rebirth: Revenge of the abandoned heirress-Chapter 36: Margaret Whitmore

"Correction, Father. My mother's territory." Jazmine Harrison wasted no time rectifying his assumptions. "And after her death, as the rightful owner—my territory."

"You presumptuous—"

"Careful, Father," Jazmine interrupted, her voice calm but sharp. "I can easily throw you all out of my territory."

The look of shock on their faces was priceless.

They had never imagined she would dare to say something like that.

Well, they better get used to it.

"But I won't," she continued, her tone laced with mockery. "Not because you're my so-called 'family.' But because I don't have the time to deal with the rumors that would spread once I throw you out. So, I'll let you have this mansion."

She smiled coldly.

"For now."

Theodore Harrison was stunned into silence.

"How shameful of you to threaten your own father!" Damien Harrison stepped forward, feigning outrage. "Do you have no respect for your elders? Where is your filial piety? Don't forget—the man you just threatened is the one who gave you life. I'm ashamed to have a sister like you!"

Jazmine scoffed.

"Why? The feeling is mutual."

Disgust flickered in her emerald eyes.

"And don't talk to me about filial piety. I'm not the one tampering with my father's company finance reports to line my own pockets—only to squander it on prostitutes."

A cold silence fell over the room.

Theodore stiffened.

Rosaline and Scarlette Whites froze.

And Damien?

His face drained of color.

"H-Husband," Scarlette Whites was the first to recover. "She's obviously lying to create fights in the family! How could my Damien do something like that?"

"F-Father!" Damien stammered, sweat forming at his brow. "She's lying! What proof do you have? How dare you accuse me of such shameless acts?"

Damn it!

How did she know?!

Had she been spying on him?

If he had known, he would have dealt with her sooner...

Jazmine smirked. "Why do I need proof when both of us know it's true?"

"Shut up, Jazmine! You have no proof!" Damien was panicking now. "You're just trying to drive a wedge between us!"

"If you're so eager, little brother," she said, twirling a strand of her hair, "I could present proof."

Damien's breath hitched.

"But," she sighed dramatically, "too bad—I'm too lazy for that."

Theodore Harrison's expression darkened as he noticed his son's reluctance to deny it further.

So it was true?

"You... Damien! How dare you betray my trust!"

His face turned red with fury.

"You are to resign from your position immediately!"

"H-Husband, listen to me!" Scarlette Whites hurried to his side, trying to placate him.

"You shut up!" Theodore shoved her away mercilessly.

"You knew about it all along, didn't you?!" His glare was filled with rage. "That's why you never let me investigate him!"

Their drama continued.

Jazmine?

She had already walked out.

She had no interest in watching their pathetic squabbles.

Initially, she had planned to let Damien continue his little frauds—let him ruin their father's company a little more.

But his hypocrisy had irritated her.

And besides—

In her past life, Damien had conspired against her.

It was better to get rid of him sooner rather than later.

"Rolf, take me to the outskirts of the city," Jazmine instructed as she slid into the backseat.

Rolf glanced at her through the rearview mirror, confused. "The outskirts?"

She gave him an address.

"To the slums."

The drive was long.

When they reached the restaurant, Jazmine told him, "Park the car far away from my destination."

Her car was far too luxurious for the streets she was about to enter.

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"But, Miss Harrison," Rolf hesitated, his brows furrowing, "let me accompany you. It's dangerous."

She had already dismissed her bodyguards.

She didn't want unnecessary attention.

"You're my driver, Rolf. Not my bodyguard. Stay here."

Rolf opened his mouth, then shut it.

Fine.

But he'd watch over her anyway.

Even if she didn't like it.

He followed her stealthily as she navigated the narrow, familiar alleys.

Until finally, she stopped in front of a small noodle shop.

A kind, middle-aged woman looked up from behind the counter.

She beamed.

"Such a pretty girl! What would you like to eat, my dear? I wouldn't charge you! It's not every day that we get such a pretty girl visiting!"

Jazmine's usually cold eyes softened.

There she was.

The woman who had saved her life in her previous life.

Margaret Whitmore

Back when Jazmine had lost everything, when she had been forced to live in these very slums, Margaret Whitmore had taken care of her.

She had fed her when she was starving.

She had given her a warm place to sleep when she had nowhere else to go.

And she had expected nothing in return.

"She gave me the strength to survive."

She had taught her never to give up, no matter how cruel the world became.

And now...

It was Jazmine's turn to help her.

She smiled—a genuine, rare smile.

"I'd like your special noodle soup," Jazmine said. "I've heard a lot about it. I specially came to try it."

Margaret Whitmore looked delighted.

"Oh my! Do people in the inner city know about my noodles? How famous am I?!" She laughed.

She quickly got to work, preparing a fresh bowl.

As she cooked, she glanced at Jazmine.

"I've never seen you here before...? You're not from around here, are you?"

Jazmine took a seat.

"No. I'm from the inner city. I came for some business and thought I'd drop by your shop."

Margaret Whitmore's eyes twinkled.

"Oh, my! How exciting! Well, you'll have to tell me if it lives up to your expectations!"

She soon placed a steaming bowl in front of Jazmine.

Jazmine picked up her chopsticks and began eating immediately.

As expected—

It was just as delicious as she remembered.

She had been craving this taste ever since she came back.

"Have your fancy city folks been starving you, child?" Margaret Whitmore chuckled. "You eat just like my son!"

Jazmine smiled. "It's not that. Auntie's noodles are just too delicious!"

"Don't talk with food in your mouth, child!"

"Sorry."

Margaret Whitmore sighed, her expression turning a little wistful.

"My son is about your age," she said softly. "He was so brilliant. But because of our situation, he never got the chance to finish his education. He deserved so much more."

Jazmine's heart tightened.

She had known this in her past life.

But this time?

This time, she would help him.