Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 348: With a flick of her finger, the laptop screen came alive, and a surveillance video started to play. The footage captured everything: Ethan's books being snatched and torn by Melanie, his humiliation escalating until he was slammed to the floor, his bag and books scattered while several young men pushed and taunted him. Melanie sat above it all, a smug smile playing across her face, unbothered and triumphant. Not only that, she actively encouraged the others, her arrogance on full display. As each second passed, Hurst's face darkened further.

Melanie's heart seized with panic when she realized Maia actually had proof. But she forced herself to stay calm. So what if the footage showed her bullying Ethan? At worst, her father would scold her. He'd never truly punish her over a nobody from the slums. If it got bad, she could just throw some money at Maia and Ethan. Wasn't that all people like them wanted anyway? What could they possibly do? However, to everyone's surprise, as the video ended, Hurst turned and, without warning, slapped Melanie across the face. A sharp slap rang out in the room, abrupt and unforgiving.

Everyone, except for Maia, gasped in disbelief. Melanie was utterly taken aback, staring vacantly at her father. "Apologize to Ms. Watson's brother!" Hurst's tone was icy, and every word sliced through the air. "Dad..." Tears welled up in Melanie's eyes, and her face reddened immediately. Hurst, filled with rage, scolded her severely. "Do you even understand what you've done today? When did our family teach you to misuse power and pick on your classmates? Not only did you bully someone, but you also twisted the truth and lied to me, pretending to be the victim.

How could I have raised a daughter like you?" Melanie's tears flowed uncontrollably. Hurst had always treated her like a princess since she was a child. When had she ever experienced such shame? Her father had never yelled at her like this in front of so many people, let alone hit her. Why was this happening to her? Refusing to accept the reality, she yelled, "Dad, they're just pathetic low-class nobodies! Why should her brother even be considered for Class One? I only wanted to teach him a small lesson and show him where he stood!

Did you really have to hit me for that?" gν⫶ⅽ "Low-class nobodies? Ms. Watson is someone who has been a huge help to me! I've always taught you that a person's worth lies in their character and skills, not their social standing. Ms. Watson's brother deserves to be in this class, and that's all that counts! If you can't apologize today, then I can't consider you my daughter anymore!" Hurst was absolutely furious. He never thought his daughter would not only lie so easily but also behave like a bully at school. In that moment, he felt overwhelmed by helplessness and guilt.

How had he raised her to be so arrogant and domineering? And to target Maia's brother of all people - wasn't that the ultimate betrayal of decency? Even striking Melanie felt like too light a punishment! The phrase "someone who has been a huge help to me" struck like a thunderclap, shocking everyone to their core. The crowd buzzed with whispers once more. Maia was Hurst's benefactor? Had they really just insulted her like that? Would Maia hold it against them? If they made her angry, they would be in big trouble!

The parents' faces turned pale, cold sweat dripping from their foreheads as they wished the floor would swallow them up. Even Loraine was fidgeting uncomfortably in her seat, her face drained of color. How had Ethan's sister become Hurst's benefactor? And now Hurst was even scolding Melanie! At that moment, Melanie shook uncontrollably, tears welling up in her eyes. Hurst inhaled deeply to steady himself and faced Maia, saying, "Ms. Watson, my daughter is at fault here. Whatever solution you suggest, I will do my best to make it happen." . . .