Rise Of The Despised Heiress

CHAPTER 1

Wedding Files

James' phone flashed and buzzed on the glass side table and Ade went to check it.

She took the phone in hand and the message that popped up made her heart twist painfully in her chest as bitter rage surged within her.

Her hands shook with the wedding preparation files she tightly held.

It was a message from Violet, his classmate who he once crushed on during his college days.

{ I enjoyed our kiss yesterday. I can't wait to taste those lips again ...giggles.}

"Oh dear gods," Ade sank into the soft ash sofa, strength leaving her legs.

An ice cold feeling of dread ran up her spine as her reality dawned on her.

This was what he had been up to?

Tears brimmed in Ade's eyes.

She had suspected. She had feared, especially since Violet had moved over to come live here in Los Angeles.

But there was no evidence. Quite the contrary, James had assured her, that her fears were unfounded.

But he would always leave the house with some good excuse in mind.

A business call here, a business meeting there.

Nothing much about Violet except plans to help her with the logistics of relocating and packing into her new home.

Or plans to go kill a fat rat that sneaked into her house.

Or to check in on her because she was going through a terrible break up.

How could she have been so stupid to not see it? To not see the patterns?

Ever since Violet had moved into LA, things had cratered terribly in their relationship.

James never gave her the time of day again. He never saw her the same way again.

The spark in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a dull, jaded, irritated look whenever he looked at her.

There was always something to do outside the house now that Violet had moved over.

He was always running away from her like she was the plague.

A flu.

A pariah

And it was every time they were about to plan their wedding ceremony.

Everyday that she had brought the subject matter up, he was suddenly too busy at the Cleland Family Head Company.

The same institution she had singlehandedly put in effort to establish, to stabilize, to demonstrate her unwavering support for him.

Tears threatened to fall the more she thought of it.

Why? Why would he do this to her? After everything? What hadn't she done for him?

With her good social skills she had worked hard to enable him and his family stand in society, bringing business deals and networks with aristocrats, those who held power.

This was how he chose to repay her?

Violet never even did anything for him other than order him around like a loyal errand bird.

Other than string him along and play games with his feelings when they were in college.

Ade's mouth dried up, her chest beating madly, constricting painfully, agonizingly.

The room door opened and James came out wearing a plaid brown jacket and blue jeans, looking happy, expectant.

When he saw the dismay on her face he wondered what had happened, but he had somewhere to be and didn't have the time to find out.

"Ade, I'll be heading out again. You'll be a good girl and take care of the house okay?" He gave her a wide insincere grin.

Ade scoffed, blinking back her tears. She wasn't going to cry for him because he didn't deserve it. " I've been a good girl for as long as I have known you. Abandoning myself, to care and look after you, to do whatever you want of me, and this is how you treat me?" She shoved the phone into his hands.

"This is ..."James frowned as he stared at the phone, reading the message." how did you--"

"How did I see it?" she asked. "Is that your question? Perhaps your mind is running around for more excuses, explanations?"

James face turned cold and he stuffed the phone in his jean pockets. " Actually there are no explanations. I've been meaning to tell you for a while now. Violet and I ...we are going to be a thing. She's still acting coy but she'll come clean."

Ade took a deep breath that didn't soothe her soul. " I see. All my years I've poured into your life, neglecting myself to cater to you. Violet shows up and you suddenly have no need for me?"

His frown deepened." You seriously don't think you measure up to her do you?"

Immense pain flickered across her face, but before she could say anything the front door opened and Violet walked in alongside Sandra, James' sister.

"James love, look who I saw on my way here ..." Sandra stopped when she spotted Ade, and glared at her" James you must really be foolish having this good for nothing leech here if you want a relationship with Violet."

For years Sandra had despised and loathed Ade's entry into their lives because she had felt like the spotlight had been taken away from her.

She had always taken a backseat when it came to who was the brains and idea behind the Cleland Family's businesses. And instead everything pointed to Ade.

Even though no one in the family recognized Ade for that, it was still an unspoken fact that she was the engine, the support structure behind their status and business successes.

And that irked her more than anything. How could Ade act like she was more important, skilled and knowledgeable than her? Sandra couldn't take it and because of that she had hated her.

She had been the one to goad and push James and Violet's relationship, despite how unstable and uncertain things looked for the both of them.

The reason was Violet definitely wasn't someone Sandra could feel insecure about, she easily outshined her, so she could keep her as a friend.

Violet cooked up a fake smile, rubbing Sandra's arm. "Please calm down Sandy. It's not necessary to be harsh on her. You know she's never known what real love looks like. She's not had parents either to show her. We need to be softer to her."

" A leech you say?" Ade said. " You've so easily forgotten that I contributed to the Cleland Family?"

" Oh please, " Sandra scoffed. " My family's companies were solely built by my family members. You added very few simple ideas and all of a sudden you are puffed up. So arrogant and haughty. No wonder James can't stand you and has to run into Violet's arms every little chance he gets. No wonder you don't have anyone looking for you or claiming to be your family member. They all abandoned you."

" Sandra that's enough," James chimed in. " She knows already that she didn't contribute much. There's no need to reiterate it."

" I hope you are not angry Ade?" Violet asked, maintaining a pretentious worried look, and acting like she was concerned about her.

" Angry about what?" A calm, composed expression adorned Ade's features making Violet frown.

She hadn't expected such a cool facade. She wanted her to shed tears.

To fumble and crumble.

To go on her knees and grovel before them.

But instead, a small smile shimmered across Ade's lips.

CHAPTER 2

Public Announcement

"Ade why that smirk on your face?" Violet argued. " Quit being so arrogant and just accept the fact that you didn't contribute much to The Cleland Family's success. We all understand how life can be sometimes, but being proud and ungrateful after James has given you a life and home when you didn't have none is downright unacceptable."

Ade pulled out her phone and typed into it.

They all wondered what she was doing.

Perhaps she was trying to find a way to sneak out of the embarrassing situation she had caused for herself?

Sandra's face worsened into disgust. "You are so shameless you know. So this is how you would have paraded yourself as the brains behind the Cleland Family if at all we didn't check you just now. So despicable."

Ade casually said, "I just made a public announcement that I would be pulling away from everything concerning the Cleland Family's businesses."

Sandra roared with derisive laughter." So what exactly are we supposed to do with that piece of information?"

James's phone pinged alongside Sandra's almost immediately.

When they checked, they saw that Cleland Conglomerates stocks had dropped to more than 30% from where it sat at the top.

Their faces dropped too, and all sense of amusement that they were having before vanished.

Sandra's phone began to buzz incessantly with messages, and calls.

Articles were popping up with negative reviews.

James's phone rang. It was a call from his father, head of the Cleland Family.

He answered, fear cascading across his face like waterfall over a rock, as he truly didn't understand what had just happened.

Did Ade have something to do with this catastrophe? How did she do it!

"D ...Dad?" He stammered.

"You stupppiid foooollll!!" His father bellowed, making James pull the phone away from his ear. "Have you seen our stocks? Why can you not control that fiancee of yours! Do both of you have to be my responsibility? Why are there so many negative articles talking about your crumbling relationship!"

" Dad it seems like Ade has spread some malicious misinformation about our companies, and now people are talking." James glared intensely at Ade.

If looks could roast, she would have been toast.

"I warned you against taking that riffraff as your fiancee..but you are too stubborn now see what she has caused. Now I am left with the task of involving PR and cleaning up your mess. It's not like you are of any help!" David hissed. " If you don't know how to date sensible women, go and become a Reverend. I'll happily oblige!"

He ended the call, and clenched his fists. " Ade. If you wanted to take revenge on me, why not do it with dignity? Why not face me? How dare you attack my Family's company? What sane person would do that!"

Violet went up to him and rubbed his back, encircling her arms with his." Let's forgive her Jamy sweetie. It happens sometimes people like her can get irrational, childish, a little destructive, but we understand."

Sandra scoffed. " You should learn one or two things from Violet, Ade. Look at how she is even standing up for you when you've done nothing but cause havoc and ruin. You are nothing but a puffed up, entitled little girl throwing tantrums."

Ade surveyed them all, her features remaining expressionless, detached. She went to Violet and threw the files in her face. "It's your wedding now, that you have to plan. I'm leaving."

Ade began moving towards the room to pack her things, pain lining every step she took as her mind whirled.

"Ade! Where the hell do you think you are going to? You think you can just walk away after this catastrophic commotion you have caused!"

She didn't pay any attention to James. For years her attention had been completely his.

Everything that she was, including all her skills and past life, she had abandoned, to make him happy.

Now she was taking it all back. She was picking back all the shattered fragments of her dignity, integrity and broken heart.

She was leaving his life, and she would never look back.

When she was done packing her things, she came back downstairs, pulling the black luggage bag on it's ball bearings.

James stepped on her way when she made to leave. "You can't just leave like that."

There was a flicker of surprise and uncertainty on his face. Fear at seeing her leave all of a sudden.

He hadn't expected she would try something like that, instead he'd thought she would beg him to keep her and then he would try to go into a negotiation with her.

He'd tell her to cohabit and live alongside Violet.

How could she come up with this radical decision to leave like this?

He didn't want to see her leave, it didn't sit well with him.

"And why is that?" Ade raised a brow.

"Where ...where are you going to stay? You don't have a place. Don't be stupid and go drop that bag."

" You don't have to worry about me James. You are free to take care of your real woman now."

His face consolidated into an unconcerned look." Well don't come crying to me afterwards. I am not going to take you back "

Sandra chimed in, " You shouldn't pay her any attention James. It is clear she is very arrogant. Allow her to go and become homeless. By the time starvation meets up with her, and she is looking like a famished stray dog, then she will realize we have been nothing but kind to her."

CHAPTER 3

Went MIA

" Don't bother yourselves. I will be fine. "

" Ade!!" Violet roared with anger, " You can't even apologize for what you did? How could you throw files in my face? I even waited for you thinking you'd come to your senses and realize your mistake but clearly you are such a spoilt brat! You've been living off the Cleland Family for so long , now your wings have grown and you don't even know your place again."

" Look at what you did Ade." Sandra said, " Most people would focus on repudiating whatever negative accusations have been thrown on them and clearing their name, but you seem to be doing the very opposite."

Ade chuckled. " Shouldn't you be trying to salvage Cleland Family Conglomerates? Or your falling stocks does not bother you? I think it bothers your father Sandra, so it should bother you too. But you chose to have misplaced priorities instead."

Shame washed across Sandra's face, but it quickly morphed into boiling rage. " You good for nothing whore!!!"

Ade moved swiftly, like a lethal cat and landed a loud slap on Sandra's cheeks.

Sandra stumbled back, clutching her face, looking horrified.

Ade's palms left an imprint on her fair face.

She had never expected that this timid, shy lady who never spoke up even once, could now fight back.

Ade had always taken whatever BS that Sandra gave her, but now she held and radiated a fierceness that terrified Sandra and made her rethink attacking back, even though she badly wanted to.

"How dare you!!"

"Ade!! You have done enough!! What is your problem?" James yelled after Sandra. " I understand you are angry with me but you cannot take it out on my family members."

" Goodbye James," Ade said, taking her luggage and stepping out of the house.

"She slapped me James, are you just going to stand there and do nothing?" Sandra wailed behind Ade.

" What do you want me to do? Hit her back? She's a woman. My dignity as a man will be on the line. You should have hit her back when you had the chance." James fought back in irritation.

The last thing he needed was to hear Sandra's voice buzzing on his mind like an annoying fly. He was already in a chaotic state of mind seeing Ade leave.

He thought it would mean nothing if she left. But why did he feel like he was losing something so critical and precious?

But his arrogance wouldn't let him acknowledge that as he watched Ade's figure disappear into the streets beyond. "If she wants to leave, then so be it."

Ade quickly boarded a cab and on the way she held two phones in hand as she stared out at the city's landscape sprawling out in a side view.

Towering glass buildings and conventional apartment complexes dazzled past, littering the streets of Los Angeles

It seemed like she was leaving all of them behind, not Los Angeles in particular but the reason she had come to cherish the place.

It all looked like one big betrayal plot now. Cherishing something that would only plunge a dagger into your heart when you were fast asleep or you weren't watching.

Cars dashed by, the occupants unaware of her pain and misery.

Even if they did, probably they'd offer her condolence utterances, and that would be all.

Everyone would immediately afterwards be occupied with their own daily troubles and issues.

That was how the world worked anyway. And she was fine with that.

An ash-painted building caught her focus. It was Cleland Family's Nutrition faction, the insignia on the facade was headlined in black marble glass.

She recalled how much she had worked hard to revive this particular segment of their business.

The sweat and toil.

She had given James and his family her all, and they cast her aside like she was a societal reject.

An outcast.

This was how the world worked anyway.

She would push the line with that.

She put on one of the phones and made a call, and soon enough the person on the other line answered.

"My God!!! I am dreaming aren't I? " A high pitched female voice rang out. " Did Silent Star just call me or perhaps AI has upgraded to the extent that they can initiate random calls single-handedly now ?"

" Quit playing around Agnes. What's going on?"

" You are seriously asking me that?" Agnes countered. " What do you expect after you went MIA for years. No one ever heard from you again."

" You heard from me ...a couple times. I could never get rid of you." Ade meant it to come out as a joke but she was drained, dispirited, so her voice came out in a flat, droning tone.

"What's happened, I'm guessing there's some bad news that's occurred. Even though we haven't communicated in what seems like a year and I am angry; as your paddy, I can still dictate an emotionless response from you."

" We can discuss that later," Ade took in a deep breath. " What's happening in Hollywood?"

"Since your departure, we have tried to manage and scrabble together who we can, and I am surprised to say we have survived. I didn't think we would at the time though.

"Please....pllleeeeeeeaaaase tell me you are coming back. I've asked you a million times and you have refused, but I will never stop. I'll keep asking. We still need--"

" I'm coming back Agnes."

The line went silent, then Agnes voice came. " Please say that one more time I didn't get you. Like you are coming back here or other places where your different skills are needed?"

" You heard me. I'm getting my life back, one step at a time."

Agnes couldn't believe her ears. Ever since Ade had found some Mr. James of the Cleland Family she had disconnected from everyone else, including her.

She had respected her decision and still kept in touch as much as she could. Mostly because Ade had explained that her man wasn't okay with her lifestyle choices.

He had said she was spending time away from him, and she wouldn't even explain what she was doing, so he wasn't okay with it and needed her to drop.

Agnes had suggested Ade come clean to him about who she was since he was her fiance, instead of keeping the Silent Star pseudonym.

But Ade had refused, she had argued that keeping her career private prevented anything about her identity from going public, and she could avoid the online commotions, criticisms and scrutiny that followed famous people.

Now she didn't know what happened, and why she was suddenly returning, but she was so glad about it. It was like much needed furcoat in Antarctica to shield a shivering soul from the frigid cold.

"Stop me here," Ade said, and the car slowed down to a pause. "I'll call you later Agnes. Gotta go now."

She ended the call, and descended down onto a low asphalt-decked-pavement before paying the cab fare.

As she turned, a busy pet shop stood mediocre before her. It's glass doors wide open and welcoming.

A couple clad in uniform denim jeans strolled out leashing a white coated Lhasa.

But it seemed the little whelp wasn't used to the ropes, because as it's owners went right it took to the left.

The lady had to scoop it up into her arms and cuddle it affectionately.

She seemed to be the one endeared to the dog, while the man on the other hand appeared to have somewhere better to be, judging from the disgruntled look on his face.

Ade frowned. Men!

Why couldn't they just be upfront and tell women how they truly felt? Why did they feel the need to deceive women? To string them along only to shatter their hearts in the end? To be caught cheating before they agree they were ever even cheating?

Ade shook her head as both of them walked past.

But maybe she could string them along too, just as they did to women?

A small smile played on her lips as she ruminated on the cruel thought and then shook it away.

She wasn't one to keep evil in her heart, so she didn't have any malice towards men.

They ought to thank their stars she wasn't that kind of person.

Something caught her attention to the left.

A moving shroud of white--wierd white, limping with crutches.