Elora's face was twisted with fury. She never expected the Janelle who used to be bullied so easily would become so formidable now.
"Sorry." To preserve the Hills' face, Elora reluctantly apologized.
"Can't hear you."
"You..." No one in all of Graham City dared treat her this way.
Elora's eyes reddened with rage. A crowd had gathered, yet no one spoke up for her.
"Sorry, I was wrong."
"Miss Hill, remember to greet me respectfully whenever you see me from now on. Or else, bear the consequences."
Elora was practically fuming. That bitch dared threaten her!
But her triumph wouldn't last long. Soon, she'd learn the price of offending Elora Hill, the second daughter of the Hills family.
Dragging her suitcase to the T2 exit, she saw her friend Sara Winston waiting.
Spotting her, Sara rushed over and hugged her tightly.
"Janelle! You're finally back!"
"By the way, did you know? Those two dogs are getting engaged tomorrow. You're not here to crash the wedding, are you?"
"Overthinking it. I'm just back to reclaim what's mine." Janelle said lightly.
Sara Winston wrapped an arm around Janelle's slender waist, and they walked out together.
At Sara's car, Sara popped the trunk and personally loaded the luggage. Janelle slid into the passenger seat. Once the luggage was stowed, Sara got in too.
"Stay at my place tonight! I've missed you so much."
"No need. Head straight to the Rovella residence."
"Amber Evans and Lillie Evans have already moved into your house. Are you sure you want to go back?" Sara was deeply concerned.
"Absolutely sure. Drive. Don't worry about me. The ones who should worry are those who hurt my mom and me."
Janelle wasn't even home yet when Lillie received Elora's call.
Learning Janelle had returned at this moment, Lillie frowned.
"What's wrong?" her mother, Amber Evans, asked, noticing her expression.
"Janelle's back." Lillie handed her phone to a nearby maid.
"What? Why now?"
"But perfect timing. It's time she coughs up those shares she holds." Amber's eyes gleamed with calculation.
"Exactly. This time, we'll make sure she never gets back up." Lillie said coldly.
Lillie took off her gown and went straight to find her father, Westin.
Upon hearing Janelle had dared lay a hand on Elora, Westin flew into a rage.
"As soon as she gets back, tie her up and take her to the Hills! Make her kowtow and apologize to Miss Hill!"
"Dad, Uncle and Aunt Hill are furious. I'm worried this will affect the relationship between our families."
"Don't worry. Nelson loves you so much, he'll definitely help you. Besides, this is Janelle's fault, not yours."
Just then, the sound of a sports car echoed outside the villa.
Shortly after, Janelle, dressed in black from head to toe, walked in, pulling her suitcase.
"Well, well. Everyone's here!" Janelle pushed her suitcase into the living room and sat directly on the sofa.
Westin sat on another sofa, with Amber and Lillie flanking him.
Seeing Janelle's utter disregard, Westin was incensed.
"Who said you could come back? How dare you show your face? Janelle, you—"
"Stop!" Janelle cut him off before he could finish.
"You had the nerve to bring your mistress and her daughter back here. Compared to you, anything I've done pales into insignificance." Janelle's gaze swept dismissively over Amber and Lillie.
"Janelle, seems you haven't learned your lesson yet. Get back to the border now, don't embarrass yourself here." Janelle resembled her mother greatly. Just seeing her reminded him of that disgusting woman.
The Hills adored Lillie. Tomorrow was Lillie and Nelson's engagement; no mishaps could be allowed.
"Leave? I won't. How about you, dear father, show me how it's done?" Janelle's beautiful eyes were sharp as blades. Seeing their flustered anger only made her own bloodlust simmer.
"You—!" Westin trembled with fury. "Butler! Throw her things out!"
The butler approached and reached for Janelle's luggage.
"Touch it and see what happens." Janelle's voice was icy.
"Miss, please don't make this difficult for us." After all, it was Mr. Rovella who paid his salary now!
Janelle remained seated, her eyes filled with scorn.
"So you do remember I'm the lady of this house? Don't forget whose name this house bears!"
What was Westin? If not for her mother, Westin Rovella was just a country bumpkin from the sticks.
Hearing this, Westin erupted.
He had built his fortune through his first wife, but he couldn't stand anyone pointing it out.
"Throw them out. NOW!"
The butler naturally obeyed Westin. He grabbed Janelle's suitcase.
Janelle strode over and kicked the butler squarely in the solar plexus. He crashed to the floor.
"Miss! How could you treat me like this?! I've been with this family over twenty years! I practically raised you!"
"Sir, you must uphold justice for me! Since coming to the Rovellas, I've been utterly loyal!"
"I'm an old man now, bullied like this... I might as well die!" The butler wailed.
"Janelle! Apologize to the butler immediately!" Westin roared.
"Apologize? Why should I? Butler, if I recall correctly, you were my mother's butler, weren't you? Five years gone, and you've forgotten who your mistress is?"
Five years ago, when her mother was driven to madness, this butler had poured oil on the fire and kicked her when she was down.
"Miss, I..."
Janelle walked over and planted her foot firmly on the back of his hand.
"Ahhh!"
The butler was utterly shocked by Janelle's current, seemingly unhinged audacity to strike in front of everyone.
Janelle crouched before the butler.
"Butler, my apologies. Five years on the border... my eyesight isn't what it used to be."
Janelle gave her foot a final, hard twist before pulling her luggage towards the stairs.
"I'm back for good this time. As for tomorrow's engagement banquet, I, the eldest Miss Rovella, will certainly attend. You can count on that."
Janelle pulled her luggage straight to her original room, only to find it occupied by Lillie now.
"Butler! Throw all the trash out of my room!" Janelle commanded from the doorway, leaning casually against the iron railing.
The butler, freshly chastised, looked helplessly towards Westin.
"What? Is the butler too old? Bad memory and deaf?"
Westin was about to explode when Amber stopped him.
"It's just a room. No need for anger. Butler, pack up all of Lillie's things." Amber wore a serene smile.
Her return now was actually convenient. Perfect timing to get her hands on those shares.
Just a young brat. Trying to fight her? Still far too green.