Chapter 9: Scandal Exposed!
Ella's lips curled into a cold smile as she quietly descended the stairs. She saw Brianna sitting at the dining table with her head down, and Hannah standing nearby, her face flushed and tears brimming in her eyes.
"Daddy, don't blame Mommy! Someone must be targeting the Davis family on purpose to stir up trouble!" Hannah hurriedly defended Brianna.
Robert slammed the newspaper onto the table. Ella walked over, looking at Robert in surprise. "Daddy, why are you so angry? What happened?"
"See for yourself!" Robert said coldly.
Ella picked up the newspaper beside her. The entertainment section's headline glaringly read: Davis Family Feud—Stepmother's Daughter Publicly Insults Birth Daughter!
Ella bit her lip and tossed the newspaper into the trash. "Daddy, didn't you say you handled it? These people write such nonsense, making others think I'm really being abused at home! And Mommy and Hannah are so good to me!"
Seeing his eldest daughter being so sensible, Robert couldn't help but look at her differently.
"I managed to deal with a few newspapers, but not the one your mom's friend works at! Now the Davis family's reputation is in ruins. Brianna, what were you thinking? If you can't handle it, don't take on such big tasks!"
Robert was furious, slamming the table hard.
Brianna was almost in tears. "Honey... my friends all promised..."
"Promised? Hmph, they promised to expose our family's scandal! Useless! Both mother and daughter are useless! You've both disgraced me!"
With that, Robert stormed out.
"Honey, you haven't had breakfast..."
"Seeing you two makes me lose my appetite!"
Robert left in large strides. Ella stood there helplessly, glancing timidly at Brianna, then at the tremblingly furious Hannah.
Hannah picked up another newspaper and glanced at it, seething with rage at how it smeared her reputation. "Mommy! How can they write about me like this? How can I go out now? How can I even go to school?"
Hannah cried as she threw the newspaper away, suppressing the intense anger within her, wanting to tear Ella apart. But Brianna grabbed her.
"Alright, it's just a small matter. Besides, you were drunk at the time!" Brianna emphasized the words "drunk."
Ella walked over and held Hannah. "Yes, Hannah, why care about those people's opinions? You've always been so good to me. How could you abuse me at home? I'll ask the maid to take a photo and post it on my Twitter!"
Hannah shook her head. "No, sister, I don't want to appear in the public eye right now."
"Alright then, don't be angry, sister... I know you're good to me!" Ella sat her down. "Mommy, don't be angry either, those people are just writing nonsense!"
Brianna listened, coldly laughing in her heart. What a brainless girl, just like her useless mother who deserved to be tortured to death!
This time it was an accident, but next time, this little brat won't escape!
Brianna chuckled softly, her eyes filled with a loving gaze. "Ella, you're such a good girl. Now I can finally be at ease."
Ella smiled obediently and handed Brianna her breakfast. The servants nearby, noticing the scratches on Ella's face, couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for her.
In the following days, both Hannah and Brianna behaved themselves and didn't cause any more trouble. However, a video of Hannah stripping and verbally abusing Ella made its way onto a forum, spreading like wildfire. Hannah earned the nickname "Stripper Girl" among netizens.
A few days later, a sudden thought struck Ella. She got up quickly to wash and dress. During this, she received a call from her friend and classmate, Chloe Carter. Twenty minutes later, Ella was in a taxi.
Since Brianna and Hannah saw the previous incident as a mere accident, they didn't think to have anyone watch Ella for the time being.
Half an hour later, Ella arrived at a secluded brokerage firm and used her ID to open an account.
Having lived once before, she remembered everything clearly from when she was eighteen. She knew several dark horse stocks would skyrocket this year, multiplying several times over!
Ella needed both financial power and strength right now, so she wouldn't miss this chance.
After successfully opening an account, Ella took a taxi to leave the brokerage. She thought the day would pass uneventfully, but the taxi brushed against a Lamborghini while making a turn.
The taxi driver turned pale with fright, quickly jumping out of the car and kneeling in front of the Lamborghini.
Ella, who knew how to drive in her past life, could tell it was the taxi driver's fault.
"Sir, ma'am, I didn't mean to, please have mercy and let me go this time! I have a family to support, even tens of thousands is impossible for me to pay..." The driver, sweating profusely, looked pitifully at the woman who stepped out of the car.
Ella got out as well and, seeing the driver kneeling, felt a surge of compassion. How could common people like him compare to the rich? What might be pocket change to a wealthy person was an astronomical sum to this driver.
The woman had elaborate makeup, a sexy short dress, and curly hair, her red high heels clicking sharply on the ground.
"Are you blind? How can you drive like this? If you can't drive, don't come out and make a fool of yourself! Look at my car, just look at it! You think kneeling will absolve you of responsibility? You lowlifes think you can get away with this?"
She went on and on, making the driver's face flush with shame.
"Let's call the police first. If compensation is needed, I'll pay for it," Ella said calmly, looking at the arrogant woman. The woman, around twenty, sneered upon seeing Ella, who looked even younger.
"Oh, what do we have here? A little princess playing the Good Samaritan?" The woman's crimson lips curled into a mocking smile.
Ella couldn't be bothered with such a woman. She turned to the driver, "Sir, please stand up. I'll handle the compensation."
The driver's eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth forming an O.
What a contrast!
Both young women looked wealthy, but their attitudes were worlds apart. One was unbearably arrogant, the other kind and approachable. It was eye-opening!
Seeing Ella's calm demeanor, the young woman was infuriated and coldly retorted, "Hmph, if you're paying, then get me a new Lamborghini!"
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone