The Billionaire's Rental Wife Is A Hot Shot-Chapter 46: The Real Successor

Evelyn didn’t waste a second before heading to see her father. Zevian had offered to accompany her, but she refused, suspecting this might be another ploy to manipulate him. She couldn’t afford to let her guard down, especially now.

"He’ll be fine, don’t worry," Avery reassured her, placing a comforting hand over Evelyn’s as John drove them toward the Wright Mansion.

Though William had despised her all his life—quick to believe the lies that led to her being embroiled in the fake daughter scandal—he was still her biological father, the only family she had on record. No matter how much she tried to distance herself, her mother’s dying face always pulled her back to him whenever he was in trouble. And as much as she hated to admit it, they needed his DNA samples to confirm the results once and for all. This was the best way to put the scandal to rest.

"Sir ordered me to come with you," John said, as he parked the car in front of the grand mansion. Evelyn nodded, not having the energy to argue. Time was of the essence.

Inside the opulent hall, Elias and Sophia sat with the family doctor and a specialist, their discussion halting the moment Evelyn arrived. Avery quickly moved to help her best friend, guiding her with a supportive hand, while everyone’s gaze shifted toward the imposing figure of John following closely behind them.

"Why would you bring a bodyguard into your own house, Evy?" Sophia’s voice dripped with disdain, her tone quickly echoed by the others in the room.

Evelyn met Sophia’s gaze with cold defiance. "Just so you know, I was attacked last night," she stated, her voice sharp and clear. "Someone almost buried me alive, so I can’t trust anyone. Especially not my family or its new members." Her eyes flicked toward Annabelle, who sat quietly in one of the ornate chairs.

The tension in the room thickened as Evelyn turned to the doctor. "How is he?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

The doctor adjusted his glasses before answering, "He’s stable for now, but there’s a significant risk of another stroke. It’s good that you came when you did, Miss Evelyn."

"Of course she did," the family’s attorney interjected, his tone businesslike. "There are some documents that need your attention, Miss Evelyn." He gestured to the stack of papers he had prepared. "We need to confirm your grandmother’s will since, on paper, you’re still a member of this family. Despite recent events, William Wright officially adopted you, even after Annabelle appeared, to maintain his business image. Legally, you’re still a Wright, even if not by blood."

Avery’s eyes narrowed as she caught the attorney’s underlying message: everyone in this room was waiting for William to die so they could move forward with their plans.

"Can you at least let her see him first?" Avery grumbled, her voice laced with irritation. The tension in the room was palpable, everyone’s true intentions barely concealed beneath a veneer of concern.

The attorney ignored Avery’s request, handing the documents to Evelyn. "This is your grandmother’s will," he explained as she skimmed through the papers. "It states that even if her son marries and has another child, you will remain the sole heir to the company, in accordance with the wishes of Gracia Wright, Mr. Wright’s late wife."

Evelyn’s heart tightened as she read the familiar words. She had known about this clause since her eighth birthday when her grandmother, bedridden and frail, had finalized the will. Gracia had suffered greatly after her mother’s death, sacrificing her life to save Evelyn from kidnappers. William’s disdain for Evelyn had only grown since then, but Gracia had made sure her granddaughter’s future was secured. This very will was the root of the fake heiress scheme.

"But since you’re not their biological daughter," the attorney continued, "it would be reasonable for you to step down as the next heir and allow Mr. Elias Wright, the son of Mr. Wright and his second wife, to take your place."

Sophia’s face brightened with satisfaction at the attorney’s words, her smile widening as the others in the room nodded in agreement.

"Well, I don’t have any problem with that," Evelyn said, her voice steady but surprising everyone with her calm acceptance. They had expected a fight, a tantrum, but she remained composed.

"But," she added, her tone sharpening as her gaze swept over the room, "since the real daughter of Mr. Wright and Mrs. Gracia Wright is here, I believe the position should go to her, rather than to Elias, who is still young." Her eyes locked onto Annabelle, who visibly tensed under her scrutiny.

"My late mother always wanted her daughter to take over this company, and since Annabelle is the rightful heir by blood, she should assume that responsibility." Evelyn pressed on, her words cutting through the room like a knife, as she noticed the darkening expression on Sophia’s face.

"Right, Anna?" Evelyn’s voice softened as she addressed Annabelle directly. "Don’t you want to fulfill our mother’s dying wish and take over this company?"

Avery had to bite her lip to keep from laughing as she realized what Evelyn was doing. She was lighting the fuse on a powder keg, pitting the two potential heirs against each other. Annabelle’s eyes sparkled with interest for a brief moment, but she quickly lowered them, feeling Sophia’s intense gaze on her.

"Anna is quite new to all this wealth and business, Evy," Sophia interjected smoothly, trying to regain control. "She would prefer to let Elias handle it, rather than risk making mistakes that could harm the company, as you’ve done recently." Sophia smiled sweetly, but the venom in her words was unmistakable.

Evelyn didn’t back down. "Don’t pressure her, Mrs. Wright," she replied coolly. "Give her time to think about it. Isn’t that right, Director Niah?" she added, turning to one of the company’s directors who had also been summoned to the mansion.

Sophia’s jaw clenched as she realized Evelyn was buying time, preparing for a confrontation. She eyed the director, who nodded in agreement, then glanced at Annabelle, who remained silent, her eyes downcast.

"If we’re done with the business talk, can we please focus on his health?" Elias spoke up, his voice the only one in the room tinged with genuine concern. Unlike the others, he had no interest in the family business; his ambitions lay elsewhere. He hated seeing even his mother involve herself in these schemes, knowing all too well about his dreams.

The doctor explained the situation clearly, mentioning how the recent stress had led to William’s stroke, his tone subtly implying that Evelyn was to blame, though he never outright said it. Evelyn recognized him as just another pawn in her stepmother’s game, but she wasn’t focused on him right now. Her attention kept drifting toward Annabelle, who intrigued her far more than the old witch ever could.

As the specialist explained the care instructions for her father, Evelyn nodded, but her eyes kept flicking to Annabelle. Then, seizing a perfect opportunity, she began to cough loudly, drawing the doctor’s attention.

"I’m sorry," she murmured, covering her mouth.

Turning to Annabelle, she asked, "Can you pass me a glass of water, Laila?"

"Sure," Annabelle replied without hesitation, picking up the glass and quickly handing it to Evelyn, too distracted by her own thoughts to realize the trap she’d just fallen into. Her mind was consumed with the possibilities Evelyn had dangled in front of her—how she could inherit all this wealth without lifting a finger.

Evelyn took a slow sip, a satisfied smile playing on her lips as she watched the blood drain from Sophia’s face. The room fell silent, everyone frowning as they processed what had just happened. Annabelle had responded to a different name, a name only Evelyn seemed to know.

"Thank you, Laila. Sorry, I mean Annabelle," Evelyn added, her voice laced with a hint of mockery as she placed the glass back on the table.

Annabelle’s face paled as the realization hit her like a ton of bricks. How in the world did Evelyn know about her dark past? And why the hell did she react to it? Panic gripped her, and she could already feel Sophia’s piercing glare boring into her. Oh, she was doomed tonight for sure!