THE WHITLOCKS

Ava's mind churned with anger as the memories played back, the unforgettable memory from this incident that occurred eight years ago, reminded her of the humiliation she had faced. It had been a nightmare.

If she remembered correctly, three days ago was the launch of 'WA GRAND,' the largest hotel in Lebron City, and the first Whitlock's hotel ever built. To commemorate the opening, Gaulin, Ava's father threw one of the largest parties that year, and since the long lost daughter of the household was found only the day before, her family decided to celebrate her return alongside.

Her father's proudest achievement had turned into her downfall. At the party, she was drugged in the most subtle way that no one would've suspected. She could still feel the burn of the drug that was stealthily applied to her skin from the plaster handed to her to cover her little injury she had obtained from a cut.

She remembered stumbling, her senses swimming, as the crowd stared, some laughing, others whispering. Reporters' cameras flashed, capturing her every misstep, publicly humiliating her.

Her family's reaction had been no better. After the incident, they had furiously abandoned her in front of everyone. They all went back home, without even leaving a means of transportation for her, saying she'd embarrassed their family name. She even remembered clinging to her father's hand, but he pushed her away.

Since she couldn't return home alone in her sick and exhausted state, she'd fallen into the perfect trap laid out for her.

Using the name of one of the Whitlock's bodyguards, a stranger had offered to help her to one of the hotel rooms, only to abandon her on one of the floors where a paparazzi patiently waited for her.

Her memory was vague because of the drug, but she could remember that the room she managed to get into was empty when she got in. This was not the same story she woke up with as the headlines of the trendy news the next morning that trended for the last three days.

[THE LOST DAUGHTER OF THE WHITLOCK'S CONGLOMERATE SEEN IN A HOTEL WITH A MAN]

[LOST DAUGHTER IS A DRUG ADDICT]

In the past, she had tried to gather evidence to clear her name, but there was no way she could. The hotel's security footage were all cleared, leaving only selected photos taken by the paparazzi, those that were in favor to their headline. She ended up going back home to meet her furious family empty handed after spending three days away from home.

When she got back home, her mother had beaten her up, and almost thrown her out of the house that night. She'd pleaded that she was innocent but all of that fell on deaf ears, since the rest of her family supported her mother in sending her out.

.

The disturbing sting from the slap still buzzed in Ava's ears, but she didn't flinch, instead, she smiled bitterly at her memory.

In the past, she'd wracked her brain, thinking about who was behind it all, nor why they'd go to such lengths. But now, she knew the mastermind behind the whole plan.

This time, things were going to be different. Instead of earning her family's love, she was going to earn their respect and publicly humiliate the person who brought her downfall.

As Ava looked up to her mother's face, another slap landed on her face. Since it came unexpectedly, she unintentionally bit the sides of her bottom lips, cutting herself. Blood trickled from the cut.

"Who gave you the right to look at me that way?!" Matilda barked even more.

Ava exhaled exasperatedly, cussing under her breath as little anger started forming within her.

Soon, the rest of the Whitlocks entered the lounge one after the other. Matilda's loud voice attracted them like moth to flames.

First, Caspian, Ava's third brother, the best software engineer in all of Lebron City walked into the room. His brown, honey-like eyes shifted from Matilda to Ava, and a small frown settled on his face.

"What's going on, Mum?" Noah, her second brother, the General manager of the conglomerate's voice rang from behind Caspian, his face hardening as he noticed Ava.

Matilda was about to say something, but she was interrupted by Jerome, Ava's eldest brother, the General Manager of the conglomerate's presence. A deep frown settled on his face when he saw Ava standing in front of Matilda.

Not far behind, Sasha walked innocently. On seeing Ava, she smiled charmingly. She had been waiting for Ava's return since the night of the party.

When Ava caught sight of Sasha, her blood ran cold. Her nails dug into her palm as she forced herself to stay still. Everything about her made Ava want to scream.

This monster had taken everything away from her. She ruined her life in the most crafted ways both publicly, and to her family, ruined her career. And when that was not enough, she had snatched away her last breath by slamming a car into her. Ava could still remember the pain from her broken ribs.

It took everything in Ava to resist the urge of charging toward her and making her feel even a fraction of the pain she caused her.

Jerome caught sight of the way Ava looked at Sasha and frowned even more. "Why are you staring at Sasha that way, Ava?!" His question drew Ava's attention to him. "Is this why you came back? I told you never to step your feet here again, didn't I?"

Before Ava could respond, her father's voice rang from behind. "What's going on here?"

The entire room stilled as Gaulin Whitlock strode in. His expression turned darker when he set his eyes on Ava, who hadn't been home since the night they angrily left her at the hotel.

"You finally decided to show your face," Gaulin sneered.

Hearing her father's voice, Ava couldn't stop the memory of her father's words on her death bed from playing in her head.

Ava is no longer part of the Whitlock's household. It's sickening that she still bears the Whitlock's name, but don't call me even when she's dead...

Ava's knees wobbled, but she let out a deep breath, steadying her voice. "Why wouldn't I come back?" Her question stunned everybody. "If anyone is to leave, it's certainly not me."

"What did you just say?!" Jerome took a step forward.

Matilda scoffed. "Can you see the attitude of someone who disgraced our family?!" She barked. "Instead of falling on her knees and seeking forgiveness, she speaks like she had done nothing wrong!" She glared.

"But I have done nothing wrong, mother," Ava said innocently.

In her previous life, she had been so intimidated by her family that she couldn't speak up for herself, not that her family gave her chances to. They always called her a liar, and since she was always up against Sasha, it was obvious who they'd always pick. But now that she had been given a second chance, not anymore. She was going to create chances for herself.

Ava could feel the glares of six pairs of eyes on her.

"You've done nothing wrong?!" Caspian sneered, finally speaking for the first time since he walked into the room.

Ava's gaze shifted to Caspian. He was the one brother who she had hope for, probably because he may watch her suffer, but he never involved himself.

Not even when she was at the point of death. Now, hearing him sneer at her like she was no more than a stain on the family's name? That hope extinguished.

"You brought shame to this family, publicly humiliated us in front of the most influential people in Lebron City! Do you have any idea how much damage control we had to do because of your reckless actions?!"

"And so?!" Ava gruffed. "You'd do the same thing for any other person in this household. Why should it be different for me?"

Gaulin was so angry by Ava's tone that his hand trembled. He couldn't understand why Ava was speaking to all of them this way when she publicly humiliated them. It boiled his blood.

Before anyone could even react, he rushed toward Ava. His right hand flew through the air with so much force to hit Ava, but she was faster.

Ava caught his hand mid-air.