the two-faced Adopted Girl Who Melted CEO's Ice-Cold Heart
Chapter 141: Escape from the Wolf’s Den, Only to Enter the Tiger’s Lair

Chapter 141: Chapter 141: Escape from the Wolf’s Den, Only to Enter the Tiger’s Lair

Delphine stood at the entrance of the side hall, taking a deep breath to suppress her trembling body.

She overheard a woman speaking ingratiatingly, "We’ve come this time mainly because Little Jay is getting older and still can’t find a wife. So, we’re thinking of borrowing some money to buy him one. You know us people from the countryside are poor, and among all the relatives, you’re the one living the best—big house, servants. If we don’t come to you, who else can we go to?"

"That’s right. Back then, when your girl had nowhere to go, it was us who took her in. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have come asking for this money," a man’s crude voice rang out, with an air of entitlement as though demanding money was perfectly reasonable.

Mrs. Gu had been terrified since finding out about Delphine and Ignatius Leclair being together. After lying in bed all day, she was informed by the butler that the countryside cousins had arrived. On impulse, she let them in.

Lately, Mrs. Gu had suffered repeated setbacks, rendered utterly powerless in the Leclair household. When Stone Leclair was under immense pressure, he would physically and verbally abuse her. Now, even her daughter showed signs of overshadowing her. Mrs. Gu could only seek some sense of superiority and vanity from these impoverished relatives. But having let them in, she regretted seeing how vulgar this couple was.

At this moment, hearing them ask for money, she started to understand their intentions. She gestured to the servant to bring her bag while saying disdainfully, "Take the money and leave quickly. The Leclair family members will be back soon."

The couple lit up instantly upon hearing they could get money.

"Don’t worry, Armel. We haven’t said a word about your situation. We just want to buy Little Jay a wife," the woman said cautiously, trying to please her.

Delphine could no longer bear to listen. Her pale face burned red with anger, her whole body trembling.

She strode forward and said coldly, enunciating each word, "You won’t get a single penny today."

The couple turned around, visibly displeased at being interrupted, only to see Delphine—beautiful beyond words, but icy and forbidding. The woman shrieked in fright, falling to the ground, "You—you, why are you here?"

The man also sprang to his feet in a panic, his eyes sliding up and down her.

Suppressing the gnawing disgust inside, Delphine instructed the butler, "Uncle Zhao, could you ask Ignatius when he’ll be back for dinner?"

The elderly butler promptly called Ignatius Leclair.

Mrs. Gu, hearing this, struggled to rise and spoke unhappily, "Delphine, what’s wrong with you? These are your cousin and cousin-in-law. Your household registration is still listed under your cousin-in-law’s family."

Delphine sneered, looking at the middle-aged woman whose face failed to conceal shock, and at the man with his filthy gaze, and said icily, "Oh, I remember well enough. Since my cousins are here, why not stay for dinner? Whatever amount of money you want—my aunt doesn’t have, but I’ve got plenty."

"N-no need. We’d better head back soon," the woman said evasively, not daring to meet her gaze.

"What’s wrong with you, you crazy woman? The house can’t even afford a pot of rice! We took care of her for a while, so it’s only right to take her money," the man said angrily, his tone rough. "If you want to leave, go ahead. I’m not leaving without money. I need it for Little Jay’s wife and to pay off debts. I won’t leave."

Delphine’s fingertips dug fiercely into her palms, her body so numb she no longer felt pain, yet an overwhelming sadness surged in her heart.

She was born into a lowly family—a fact that could never change. Her mother was a frail, dependent woman; her father unknown.

Years ago, Ignatius Leclair had driven her out of the house. Just barely an adult, facing such upheaval, she had nowhere to go. Following her mother’s advice, she sought refuge with her long-unseen cousins.

That family had a son who was mentally impaired, a gambling-addicted man who tried to assault her, and a woman who constantly berated and beat her. They eventually demanded she marry their mentally impaired son.

Her weeklong stay there felt like an eternity, until she fled in the middle of the night, only to fall into another abyss.

The butler hung up the phone and walked up to Delphine, saying, "The young master said he’ll be back soon."

Delphine nodded, her fears easing slightly. She clenched her fists tightly, her chin tilted upward, standing straight as an arrow, her expression icy.