Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 681

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Irene had every reason to fear Kendra since childhood.

It wasn’t just her mother’s perpetually icy expression—it was her ruthless methods. Once, as a mischievous child, Irene had sneaked into the company, unwilling to stay home alone, hoping to catch a glimpse of her parents. That day, she witnessed Kendra negotiating a corporate takeover.

The CEO of the target company had gone pale.

Her mother’s face remained impassive.

But the cold indifference in her eyes was something Irene would never forget.

Yet, that chilling gaze had never been directed at her—until now. Staring into her mother’s frigid, emotionless eyes, Irene finally panicked.

Her lips trembled as she stammered, "W-what do you mean?" Her eyes welled up with tears, disbelief creeping into her voice. "Mom… you’re not seriously handing me over to the Stone family, are you? I’m your daughter—your own flesh and blood! How can you be so heartless?"

Earl, who had been standing nearby, frowned. "Watch your tone," he warned.

Seeing even her doting father side with her mother at a time like this, Irene felt a fresh wave of hurt and betrayal.

Clenching her teeth, she shot back, "Dad… don’t you see what she’s doing? I always thought the company meant more to her than me—that her own daughter was nothing in her eyes! But you kept telling me she loved me. And now? Is this how much I mean to her? I’m her child, and yet she’d sacrifice me for the sake of profit? You’re nothing but a cold, selfish mother!"

In an instant—

The entire Harper household fell deathly silent. The air grew so thick with tension that even the sound of breathing seemed audible.

Nathan stayed quiet, praying the conflict wouldn’t drag him in.

After all, this was between mother and daughter—he had no place interfering.

More importantly, if his adoptive parents remained fixated on Irene, he might just escape unscathed.

Irene sobbed quietly.

Kendra showed not a trace of emotion upon hearing her daughter's furious accusations. Earl, standing nearby, watched Kendra with concern, as if afraid she might be heartbroken.

But Kendra felt no sorrow at all.

Only a deep, chilling disappointment.

Her gaze, fixed on the niece she had raised from childhood, was colder than winter frost.

"If only I were as cold and heartless as you claim," she said, her voice steady. "Then you wouldn’t be standing before me now." The greatest regret—the greatest weakness—of Kendra’s life was her own biological daughter. She had been selfish, an unfit mother.

Had she been just a little more ruthless back then, had she ignored Yasmin’s tearful pleas, perhaps things wouldn’t have spiraled to this point.

The thought of Irene using everything she had given her—only to turn it against her own flesh and blood—made Kendra almost laugh.

A bitter, mocking laugh. As if mocking her own past kindness.

Perhaps...