As Irish descended the steps, she felt the warmth of her body dissipate like mist in morning sun.
Her heart, once full of love and trust for Brandon, now felt like a hollow cave – dark, cold, and empty.
Having lived her whole life loving Brandon, only for him to betray her with her best friend, made her feel weak inside and out.
Her mind replayed all the fun memories they had shared – laughter, adventures, quiet nights – all pretence, all lies.
Brandon had never once loved her; inside, he had been using her to gain access to her wealth and get closer to her best friend.
The realization made her blood boil, but her heart remained heavy with grief.
Leaning against the wall, Irish felt nothing but hatred for everything – Brandon's betrayal, Eleanor's deception, her own naivety. Her eyes burned with unshed tears as she thought of her wasted youth, her shattered dreams.
But her thoughts were diverted by her buzzing phone – a message from a number she had once craved to see appeared on the front page.
"Young Mistress,
The ban on your inheritance has been lifted.
As the last living heir of Reginald Thompson's lineage, you are now entitled to claim your rightful inheritance – shares in Thompson Industries, Thompson Real Estates, and Thompson Investments.
Please report to our office tomorrow at 10 AM sharp to sign the necessary documents and claim your inheritance.
Sincerely,
Thompson Family Lawyer ."
Irish's eyes widened as she read the message, her heart racing with excitement.
She had waited for this moment since she was six years old, when her parents died in a tragic accident – an event that had left her penniless and alone.
Her family was no ordinary family, with a background that could shake the foundations of political and economic structures.
The Thompson family was one of the wealthiest and most influential families in the world, with businesses spanning across various industries – technology, real estate, finance, and more.
But with such immense power came a price. Every descendant of the Thompson family would not be acknowledged as members until they turned eighteen years old.
Only then could they inherit shares in companies and businesses under their name.
This rule had been established by her ancestors, who knew that if their descendants were exposed too early to riches, they would spoil – indulging in lavish lifestyles, forgetting the value of hard work and dedication.
Irish's eyes lit up after re-reading the message, making sure it was authentic and from the right source.
The Thompson Family Lawyer's number was valid, and the email address matched the one she had found on their official website.
After confirming the message's authenticity, Irish felt a wave of excitement wash over her. She had waited for this moment for twelve long years – ever since her parents' tragic death in a car accident when she was just six years old.
Her parents, Reginald and Elizabeth Thompson, had been kind and generous people.
They had loved her with all their hearts, providing her with a happy childhood filled with laughter and adventure.
But fate had other plans. Their death had left Irish alone and penniless, forced to live with her aunt – her mother's sister. Her aunt had resented her presence, making her feel like a burden.
Despite the hardships, Irish had persevered. She had worked hard in school, earned good grades, and even taken on a part-time job to support herself. And now, finally, her patience was rewarded.
With the message still glowing on her screen, Irish took off towards her workplace – a small adult content store near campus. She had already prepared her resignation letter, eager to leave this job behind.
Today was her last delivery day, and she wanted to get it over with.
As she walked into the store, she was greeted by the sight of busy customers milling about, picking out last-minute Valentine's Day gifts.
The atmosphere was hyper and embarrassing, with everyone avoiding eye contact as they grabbed their items and headed to the cashier.
Irish felt a pang of relief, knowing she wouldn't have to deal with this awkwardness much longer.
When Irish entered the store, heading towards the cashier desk, her boss's eyes lit up.
Her boss, a middle-aged woman named Karen, was frantically scanning items and handling payments – her face flushed from the heat and stress.
"Hurry up, Irish, and help me! Today's sales are high, and I need an extra pair of hands! "
Irish wanted to object, to tell Karen that she was done with this job and all its embarrassment.
But she dared not – she needed the money for today's expenses, and her inheritance wouldn't be hers until tomorrow.
So she bit her lip and walked over to the cashier desk, putting on a fake smile for the customers.
She began scanning items and handling payments with ease, her mind wandering to her inheritance and the new life it would bring.
After a few hours of non-stop work, the crowd finally began to die down. Karen gave Irish a break, telling her to rest for a while before her next task.
Irish nodded gratefully, taking a seat behind the counter and letting out a deep sigh.
But her rest was short-lived, as she soon heard a mocking voice from behind.
"So, it is true – Irish is now working here. "
She recognized that voice instantly – it belonged to none other than her ex boyfriend's sister, Astrid.
Irish felt her heart sink, her face growing hot with embarrassment.