Falling For The True Heiress

He laughed. "You’re my daughter. Of course I’m curious."

Venny rested his head lightly against Sylvia’s shoulder, a small smile on his face. "She’s cute when she’s embarrassed."

Sylvia glanced at him. "You’re enjoying this way too much."

Venny sat up straight, looking completely shameless. "Of course I am."

Before Sylvia could respond, a maid walked in from the front door and approached them. She stopped a few feet away and bowed slightly.

"Sorry, please," she said.

Mrs. Ashford looked at her. "What’s the problem, Geti?"

"Someone came looking for Mr. Ashford," the maid replied calmly.

Mr. Ashford raised his head. "Someone came looking for me?"

"Yes, sir."

"Oh. Please bring them in."

The maid nodded before turning around and walking back toward the entrance.

Venny sank deeper into the sofa, curiosity written all over his face. "Who is it, Dad?"

"The Bennetts’ daughter."

Venny’s eyebrows lifted. "Ohh..."

Cleric clicked his tongue. "That Green Lotus."

Venny suddenly burst out laughing. He leaned forward, unable to stop himself as he looked at Vastin.

"Looks like she’s here for her future husband."

Vastin’s expression immediately changed.

"Hey, stop staring at me like that." He shifted uncomfortably under Venny’s amused gaze.

Sylvia covered her mouth, but it did nothing to stop her laughter. "Looks like I won’t even be able to share the same air with her husband."

Aldorin laughed and covered his mouth with his hand. "Looks like someone is in serious trouble."

Mrs. Ashford shook her head with a smile.

"Sandra is a good girl," she said, looking at Sylvia. "If she says you shouldn’t share air with Vastin, then don’t."

Sylvia stared at her mother for a second before bursting into laughter. She laughed so hard that she had to clutch her stomach.

"Mom!"

Venny and Cleric joined her, laughing loudly.

Vastin sighed and leaned back against the sofa. "You people are enjoying this too much."

"That’s because you’re making it too easy," Venny replied.

Sylvia wiped the corner of her eye, still laughing.

"Mom," she said between laughs. "You’re really not helping."

Mrs. Ashford only smiled innocently. "What did I say?"

Before Sylvia could answer, footsteps suddenly sounded from the hallway.

Everyone turned toward the sound.

"Vastin."

Sandra’s voice came first.

Sylvia immediately bit her lower lip, fighting hard to keep her laughter from escaping.

Venny lowered his head, his shoulders shaking as he quietly laughed. "Speaking of the devil," he muttered.

A few moments later, Sandra walked into the sitting room. Her eyes immediately found Vastin.

She walked toward them before turning to Mr. and Mrs. Ashford.

"Good afternoon, ma. Good afternoon, sir."

"Good afternoon, dear," Mrs. Ashford replied.

Sandra smiled politely before turning her attention back to Vastin. She walked over and dropped onto the sofa beside him.

Vastin’s body stiffened slightly.

Venny noticed immediately and turned slowly to look at Sylvia.

Sylvia looked back at him.

Neither of them said anything. They didn’t need to anyway, because the look on their faces was enough.

Vastin noticed them and frowned. "Don’t even start."

Venny raised his hands innocently. "I didn’t say anything."

"You’re thinking it."

Venny’s smile widened. "Maybe."

Sandra looked between them, clearly confused. "What happened?"

"Nothing," Vastin answered quickly.

Sylvia lowered her head, trying not to laugh again, and Venny leaned back against the sofa with a satisfied smile.

"Why are you here, Sandra?" Vastin asked, turning toward her.

Sandra smiled immediately and adjusted herself on the sofa, smoothing down her dress.

"I heard you came back, so I rushed over to welcome you," she said sweetly.

Vastin raised an eyebrow. "You rushed over?"

"Of course." Sandra nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Then her attention shifted toward Sylvia.

"Ohh. I thought you went back to your family. Why are you still here?"

Sylvia rolled her eyes and leaned farther back against the sofa.

Sandra watched her for a moment before suddenly covering her mouth with one hand.

"Or..." Her eyes moved between Sylvia and Vastin. "Did you also hear that Vastin was coming back and rush back here too?"

The words were delivered playfully, but there was something behind them.

Sylvia knew it, and so did everyone else.

Sylvia only let out a soft laugh and shook her head. "You never seem to disappoint, Sandra."

Sandra smiled. "I’m only asking."

"Is that all why you’re here?" Aldorin suddenly asked. His voice was calm, but the amusement had disappeared from his face.

"To insult my little sister?"

Sandra’s smile froze. She looked at Aldorin, then quickly glanced around the room.

She knew better than anyone how much the Ashfords cherished Sylvia. They could tease her themselves, but they never tolerated anyone else crossing a line with her.

Sandra’s eyes moved toward Vastin for a moment.

He didn’t come to her defense. Instead, he simply looked away.

Her expression tightened for a moment before she turned back to Aldorin.

"No." She quickly waved her hands. "I didn’t mean it that way."

She looked at Sylvia again. "I was just surprised to see her back."

She gave a quiet laugh and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Or did they find out you’re not their biological daughter and you came running back?"

There was silence.

The words seemed to hang in the air.

The warmth in the room disappeared instantly.

Sylvia’s expression didn’t change.

But Venny did.

He stood up so quickly that the sofa shifted slightly beneath him.

"Hey."

His voice was low.

The laughter that had filled the room only moments ago was completely gone.

"I don’t care if you’re the Bennetts’ daughter. If you can’t shut the fuck up, I don’t mind helping you out."

Sandra’s face paled. She hadn’t expected that reaction.

Mr. Ashford slowly straightened in his seat. His eyes hardened as he looked at Sandra.

"What exactly do you mean by that, Sandra?"

Sandra lowered her head. "Uncle, I was only looking out for her."

"And who asked for your help?" Cleric snapped.

Sandra’s lips parted, but no answer came.

She looked at Sylvia instead.

Sylvia was still sitting quietly on the sofa. She wasn’t crying, she wasn’t angry, and she wasn’t even defending herself.

She simply looked at Sandra.

That calm expression bothered Sandra more than an angry reaction would have.

Her fingers slowly curled against her palm.

She had wanted to provoke her. She had wanted to see Sylvia lose that composure everyone seemed to admire.

But Sylvia wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

Since you won’t stay away from the Ashford brothers, I won’t let you off easily, she thought.

Sandra tightened her fingers into a fist before slowly relaxing them.

Then, just as quickly, a smile returned to her face.

"I actually came with someone."

Venny frowned. "Someone?"

Sandra didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she leaned back against the sofa and turned her head toward the hallway.

"Come in."

A moment later, footsteps echoed from the corridor. The sound was slow, making everyone turn toward the entrance.

A figure appeared in the doorway.

Venny’s eyes widened. "Drake..."

His expression changed immediately. He turned toward Sandra.

"And what does this mean?"

Sandra simply smiled. She looked almost pleased with herself. Then her gaze shifted toward Sylvia.

Sylvia had gone completely still. Her eyes were fixed on Drake.

"I told you," Sandra said casually. "He told me he wanted to meet someone."

Cleric’s expression darkened. He turned toward Drake.

"Now get out."

His voice left no room for argument, but Drake didn’t move.

He didn’t even look at Cleric. His attention remained on Sylvia.

The longer he stared, the more uncomfortable the silence became.

Venny noticed it, and his jaw tightened. He stood up and stepped forward.

"Fine." His voice was cold. "Then I think I’ll have to help you out."

Drake still didn’t move.

Venny took another step.

"Wait..." Sylvia’s voice suddenly cut through the tension.

Venny stopped and turned around slowly.

"Little sis..."

There was concern in his voice now. His eyes moved from Sylvia to Drake.

Drake was still standing near the entrance, his gaze locked on Sylvia.

And Sylvia was looking directly back at him.

Something about the way they stared at each other made the room fall completely silent.

Even Sandra’s smile faded slightly.

For several seconds, neither Sylvia nor Drake spoke, and no one seemed willing to break the silence.

Finally, Sylvia shifted slightly on the sofa. Her eyes narrowed.

"Why are you here, Drake?"

Drake’s expression remained calm, but he finally spoke.

"I came to see you."

"Came to see me for what?" Sylvia asked, raising her eyebrows.

Drake opened his mouth to answer.

"I’m—"

Before he could finish, Sylvia’s phone suddenly started vibrating beside her.

Bzzz.

Bzzz.

Bzzz.

Sylvia immediately looked away from Drake and reached for her phone.

The screen lit up in her hand, showing that it was a video call.

The moment she saw the caller ID, her entire expression changed.

A bright smile instantly spread across her face. She quickly swiped across the screen to answer the call.

"Babeeee!"

Her voice was suddenly much softer and more cheerful.

Venny looked at her with a knowing smile.

Cleric glanced at the phone, then back at Sylvia. Even Sandra’s expression changed slightly.

Drake remained where he was, watching her quietly.

Sylvia didn’t seem to notice any of them.

Her attention was completely fixed on the person on the other end of the call.

"Babe, what are you doing?" she asked with a smile.

The tension that had filled the room moments ago seemed to disappear from Sylvia’s mind entirely.

For her, the only person that mattered at that moment was the one on her screen.

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