Chapter 6 Unwelcome Homecoming

Scarlett's POV

Robert, Susan, and Emma arrived at the Parker residence with beaming smiles, carrying gift baskets filled with local specialties. The excitement on their faces was palpable as they imagined the prosperous future that awaited them through a connection to Jack's newly discovered wealthy family.

"Emma, stand up straight," Susan whispered, adjusting her daughter's hair. "This is our chance to make a good impression on New York's elite!"

Robert puffed out his chest as they approached the gate, only to be stopped by two stone-faced security guards.

"We're here to see Jack," Robert announced confidently. "I'm his future father-in-law."

The guard's expression didn't change. "Please leave. You're not welcome here."

Robert's face flushed with indignation. "How dare you! Don't you know who I am? I'm Jack's future father-in-law! You can't keep us out!"

Despite his protests, the guards remained unmoved. They could only watch the commotion inside from behind the fence.

Just as they were about to make another attempt, police sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder by the second. Several police cars pulled up to the Parker residence, their lights flashing against the afternoon sun.

The crowd of onlookers grew as officers escorted Jack's adoptive parents—the Parkers—out in handcuffs. Whispers spread rapidly through the gathered townspeople.

"They're being arrested for child trafficking!"

"Jack was actually stolen as a baby!"

"His real parents are billionaires from New York!"

The three of them stood there in a daze, watching the elegantly dressed couple lead Jack out of the house, quickly get into a sleek black car, and then drive away.

The entire scene was captured by reporters who had been tipped off about the story. One camera zoomed in on the Ross's rejected approach to the house, their desperate, fawning expressions preserved for posterity.

"Look at those vultures," one reporter said to another, nodding toward my family. "They were looking down on Jack yesterday, and today they're climbing over each other to get close to him."

The footage was uploaded within minutes, spreading across social media platforms with astonishing speed. The headline read: "#PoorBoyTurnsBillionaireHeir: Cruel Ex-Fiancée's Family Tries to Cash In"

To maximize drama, the media crafted an elaborate narrative: Jack was portrayed as a virtuous young man who had struggled against impossible odds, while I was painted as a heartless gold-digger who had pursued him for his good looks, then cheated on him with multiple men when I grew bored with his poverty. According to these stories, I had demanded exorbitant gifts from his struggling family and left him so emotionally devastated that he developed depression.

The comments section beneath these stories overflowed with vitriol:

"Gold-digging slut! Karma's a bitch, isn't it?"

"I bet she's crying in the bathroom now that her meal ticket found better options!"

"Disgusting family, first rejecting him when he was poor, now desperate to get back in his good graces!"

By evening, my family made their way home through the streets of Maple Creek. Neighbors peeked through curtains and whispered as they passed, making no effort to hide their contempt.

When they burst through our front door, their humiliation had transformed into unbridled fury.

"Scarlett, you disaster! You've ruined us all!" my mother screamed, throwing her purse across the room.

"Raising you was the worst mistake of our lives!" my father roared, slamming his fist against the wall.

Emma pushed her face close to mine. "Your reputation was already garbage, but now you've dragged us all down with you!"

I stared at them, bewildered by their twisted logic. "How exactly is this my fault?"

"If you hadn't been such a slut, Jack wouldn't have exposed you!" my mother shrieked, her face contorted with rage.

The accusation was so absurd I couldn't even respond. I grabbed my jacket and left, needing space to think clearly.

Finding a quiet spot outdoors, I scrolled through my phone, analyzing the situation. The narrative was too perfect, too calculated. This wasn't random gossip; someone had orchestrated this character assassination with precision.

My blue-green eyes narrowed dangerously as I dialed Jack's number.

The phone connected immediately. "Ross," he sneered, his voice unrecognizable in its coldness. "You'll pay for your deception!"

"Jack," I said calmly, "why are you doing this?"

His laughter sent chills down my spine. "Surprised, Scarlett? Bet you never imagined I'd have my day, did you? I'm going to destroy you!"

"But why?" I pressed, genuinely confused. "I supported you when no one else would."

"Don't act innocent," he spat. "I know where that money came from—sleeping with men at nightclubs! You've made me a laughingstock, wearing all those green hats while pretending to be so pure, saving yourself for marriage. You make me sick!"

I felt frustrated with myself for misjudging him. Every time I gave Jack money, he always appeared deeply grateful, but it turned out it was all an act.

"Jack," I asked, ice in my voice, "are you officially breaking our engagement?"

"Obviously!" His tone was dripping with malice. "You're not even worthy to shine my shoes now! Try to cling to me, and I'll make your life hell!"

I smiled coldly at the sky. The promise was void—he had released me, not the other way around.

"Don't worry, I won't pursue you," I said evenly. "Just retract those false statements online, and we can go our separate ways—you as your rich heir, me with my pharmacy."

My calmness clearly unsettled him. He'd expected tears and begging, not this composed response.

"Are you joking?" he snarled. "I planted those stories! Why would I take them back? If I hadn't been poor, I would never have agreed to marry a whore like you! Now I have money, and I'll make you pay for making me wait! Pretending to be so virtuous, saving yourself for marriage while sleeping with other men—you played me for a fool!"

He paused, his breathing heavy with rage. "Come to think of it, I never got to taste what you were offering others. How much do you charge for a night? I'll pay double!"

I clenched my fist so tightly my knuckles turned white. "Jack, you're going to regret this."

He laughed maniacally. "What can you possibly do? I'm a wealthy heir now, with luxury cars and bodyguards! You can't even get near me!"

I didn't waste more words. I simply chuckled softly and hung up.

Jack would soon discover exactly how close I could get.