04 Confrontation

Palmer Estate was a sprawling property spread over three thousand acres. The primary residence, Palmer House, was a Chateauesque-style mansion built between 1856 and 1892 by Reginald Palmer, the late founder of the family. 

Palmer House was the largest privately owned house in the city, with over fifty thousand square feet of floor space. Jake Grayson was undoubtedly the wealthiest in the city, but the Palmer family was literal royalty.

Ashley was ushered into the house by a Head Butler whom she did not recognize. 

"Who are you?" she asked him quizzically. "Where is Marvin?"

Marvin had been Head-butler even before Ashley was born. He had practically raised the little girl when her mother passed away.

The servant looked at her garb and frowned. Ashley's clothes were shabby, and it seemed she hadn't conditioned her hair for weeks. Even though she was technically wealthy again, the young woman didn't have time for a makeover before returning home.

"I am Levi," he replied, trying hard not to be rude. "Miss Scarlet asked Marvin to retire after Mr. Arthur passed away."

Ashley furrowed her brows. Scarlet had practically replaced all the staff after she took over.

Ashley had not set foot inside her birthplace since her wedding. She was led through the guest hall.

The young woman passed the tall portraits of her family and predecessors in the guest hall. She observed the 1921 Howard Miller grandfather clock, smiled at the three fireplaces with mounted animal trophies, and trod on the nut-brown Persian rugs.

Ashley was overcome by nostalgia for the past when she frolicked around the place as a child. They used to have a pet tigress, Dottie.

The animal was her playmate until Arthur remarried. Mary, her stepmother, brought along Scarlet, a child from her previous marriage. 

Scarlet... An ungrateful child who grew up to kill her father! Ashley gritted her teeth. She needed to confront the bitch before calling the cops on her.

"Would you prefer a bath and a change of clothes first?" Levi interrupted her thoughts rudely. He was constantly frowning at her appearance. The head butler could not believe that Jake Grayson's wife looked like a homeless person. So, the rumors were true. Ashley Palmer was penniless and lived the life of a slave.

"No, thank you, Levi," Ashley replied. "Just tell me where Scarlet is."      

The servant pursed his lips irritably but kept his cool. "Miss Palmer is in the third-floor library. I'll show you the way."

"There is no need to usher me," she snapped. "I know where the library is. But if my husband, Jake, arrives, bring him straight to me."

Levi nodded and left, grumbling under his breath.

'I will fire this idiotic butler first once I have my company back,' Ashley told herself. 'I'll have to undo everything Scarlet has done.'

Ashley ascended the grand staircase, again adorned with portraits and paintings, some more expensive than sports cars. She reached the third-floor landing and entered the library. 

Scarlet, the current CEO of Palmer Industries, was reclining on a situation table in the middle of the room. Several project maps lay across the table. Her secretary stood beside her, taking notes.

When she saw Ashley, Scarlet's face lit up. Dismissing her secretary, she rushed to greet her sister with a hug. She was twenty-three, slender and attractive, with dark, short hair.

"Oh, sis! You are a sight for sore eyes!" she exclaimed. "We're having a grand party in the evening in our Alpine Hills Lake House. If you can clean yourself up, you can attend it!"

"Stop the theatrical drama, Scarlet!" Ashley thundered. "I know now what a snake you are! Your fake love won't fool me anymore!"

Scarlet's facial expression transitioned from shock to smugness. "What are you talking about? I will always love you, even if you have become downtrodden. I mean, look at you. You seem to have walked out of the sewers! No wonder Jake divorced you!"

Ashley's lips quivered. Wasn't the divorce Scarlet's plan? But it was not the subject she wanted to broach.

Ashley bit her lower lip to keep herself steady. "You won't fool me, Scarlet. I know everything was your idea! You stole both my company and my husband! Now you dare to call me a sister?!"

The young CEO shook her head dismissively. "I think you lost your mind after becoming a homeless, penniless divorcee. I can't help you if you keep talking nonsense."

Ashley slanted her eyes at her stepsister. It was time for the confrontation. "Why did you do it?" she demanded. 

"Why did I do what?"

"You snake! You killed Dad! Let's see what Jake thinks of you once I reveal your true colors to him!"

Scarlet took several steps back, her face contorted with surprise. "Lies…" she mumbled.

"You were the one who abducted him! And stabbed him seven times in that abandoned garage! I've seen everything with my own eyes!"

"What rubbish!" Scarlet growled. However, when Ashley mentioned the specific details, she turned away and started sobbing.

"Keep your crocodile tears to yourself, Scarlet! I have video evidence. You thought you could get away with the crime, but a CCTV camera recorded you! You're going to prison!"

Scarlet stopped sobbing and turned around with a flourish. Her expression had changed. She was grinning ominously. The villain cocked her head and cackled loudly.

"Yes, I killed Dad!" she growled viciously. "And I stabbed and watched him bleed to death!"