The Returned Heiress Who Never Fit In novel Chapter 747

Chapter 747 A Thread Unraveled

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The word “fake death” still hung like poison in the air. Marie had dragged it out again, and Dan’s face went dark.

“Forget that,” she snapped. “Hand Tessa over and we’re done. Whether you go die again or not, that’s your business.”

Dan’s chest heaved. She wouldn’t let up, wouldn’t shift off Tessa. He clenched his jaw.

“Tell Derrick to stop.”

“Tessa gets back to me, then he stops.”

Her answer cut like iron. Dan slammed the call dead, fingers stiff around the phone. Talking to Marie was like pounding his head against stone. She didn’t bend–oil, salt, nothing sank in.

The door opened. Conan stepped inside. “Sir.”

“Say it,” Dan bit out, voice raw with temper.

“Derrick and Victor’s raids are spreading fast,” Conan reported. “And… Black Mountain requests you come at once.”

Black Mountain. Dale. The title his people used to avoid saying father. Everyone knew Dale kept his legacy for Manny, never for Dan.

Fresh from that maddening call with Derrick, Dan’s patience snapped. “Not going.”

Conan bowed slightly. “Shall I return with that answer?”

Dan’s breath caught. He waved. “Wait. Ready the car.”

He had never been desperate to find Tessa–let Marie choke on her own hunt. But she hounded him like a rabid dog, biting, blaming. Now she left him no choice but to scour for the girl too.

The thought alone made his lungs ache with fury.

At the same time, Derrick sat across from Marie. She slammed back a glass of milk like liquor.

“Not hard enough, is it?” she barked.

It was the line she’d repeated since dawn. In her eyes, Ashen Pact’s refusal to hand over Tessa meant only one thing: they hadn’t been hit hard enough yet. Diana’s theft from years ago still

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16:44 Sat, Sep 20 B…

Chapter 747 A Thread Unraveled

outweighed all the wounds they’d inflicted.

Derrick studied her in silence, the corners of his eyes narrowing.

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+8 Pearls

Marie scrubbed her temple. “I’ve never seen a harder nut to crack. We’ve torn through them and they’re still standing.”

Her voice dropped. “If we can’t find ‘Tessa soon, Stella’s heart will break. She comforted me last night, can you believe that?”

Derrick’s brow rose. “She comforted you?”

“Of course. She told me not to worry when she’s the one really worried sick. Can you imagine? Still thinking of me when she’s suffering.”

Her voice caught with guilt.

Derrick’s gaze sharpened. Stella–so frantic over Tessa’s disappearance she’d been nearly incoherent–was now soothing others? The contradiction twisted like a hook.

Marie caught his look and flared. “Don’t give me that face. My sister’s not some spoiled brat like Kelly. She’s kindhearted. That’s all.”

Derrick said nothing. But in his mind, a reel of faces flashed–Victor’s steady glare, Stella’s tears, Marie’s fury. Each reaction had rung true. Yet Marie’s careless words–she even comforted me-echoed too loud, too strange.

He closed his eyes, replaying every detail, until suspicion sparked.

Marie rambled on, urging more raids, more fire, until her voice landed on one name.

“Artemis,” she hissed. “She’s the one. She hated Diana, fought for the same man, and Diana even left with a child–and stolen treasure. If anyone would strike, it’s her.”

Derrick’s lids lifted, dark gaze pinning Marie. He didn’t answer. But his silence was heavier than words.

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16:44 Sat, Sep 20 B…

Chapter 747 A Thread Unraveled

outweighed all the wounds they’d inflicted.

:

Derrick studied her in silence, the corners of his eyes narrowing.

(47)

+8 Pearls

Marie scrubbed her temple. “I’ve never seen a harder nut to crack. We’ve torn through them and they’re still standing.”

Her voice dropped. “If we can’t find Tessa soon, Stella’s heart will break. She comforted me last night, can you believe that?”

Derrick’s brow rose. “She comforted you?”

“Of course. She told me not to worry when she’s the one really worried sick. Can you imagine? Still thinking of me when she’s suffering.”

Her voice caught with guilt.

Derrick’s gaze sharpened. Stella—so frantic over Tessa’s disappearance she’d been nearly incoherent–was now soothing others? The contradiction twisted like a hook.

Marie caught his look and flared. “Don’t give me that face. My sister’s not some spoiled brat like Kelly. She’s kindhearted. That’s all.”

Derrick said nothing. But in his mind, a reel of faces flashed–Victor’s steady glare, Stella’s tears, Marie’s fury. Each reaction had rung true. Yet Marie’s careless words–she even

comforted me–echoed too loud, too strange.

He closed his eyes, replaying every detail, until suspicion sparked.

Marie rambled on, urging more raids, more fire, until her voice landed on one name,

“Artemis, she hissed. “She’s the one. She hated Diana, fought for the same man, and Diana even left with a child–and stolen treasure. If anyone would strike, it’s her.”

Derrick’s lids lifted, dark gaze pinning Marie. He didn’t answer. But his silence was heavier than words.

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