Chapter 206: Mistaken Identity

Chapter 206: Mistaken Identity

(Elena Blackwood’s POV)

48 Forts

Fred Xavier… The name echoed in my mind like a distant bell. I was certain I had heard it before, but the harder I tried to grasp the memory, the more it slipped away like water through my fingers.

It was frustrating. The name felt significant, connected to something important, yet it remained just beyond my reach. I could sense there was a story there, a piece of the puzzle I was missing.

I decided not to force myself to remember. Sometimes memories surfaced when you least expected them, when your mind was relaxed and open. Perhaps it would come to me later, when I wasn’t actively searching for it.

Turning my attention back to the conversation, I asked Mrs. Lopez directly, “Are you very familiar with my aunt?”

Mrs. Lopez was visibly taken aback by my question. Her eyes widened slightly, and I could see the moment she realized what she had been doing – gossiping about someone’s family member right in front of them.

A flush crept up her neck as embarrassment colored her features. She forced an awkward smile, clearly uncomfortable with the situation she had created.

“Actually, I’ve only met her a few times,” she said quickly, her voice higher than before. “Not really familiar at all.”

The admission hung in the air between us. I could tell she was backtracking, trying to minimize her earlier comments about Hazel Green.

Before I could probe further or ask any follow–up questions, Mrs. Fisher smoothly intervened. She glanced at her expensive watch and made a show of checking the time.

“Oh my, I completely lost track of time,” she announced, rising from her seat with practiced grace. “I have a nail appointment in thirty minutes, and you know how impossible it is to reschedule with the good salons.”

She gathered her designer handbag and gave us all a polite smile. “Thank you for the lovely tea, Joyce. It was wonderful meeting you, Elena.”

Mrs. Lopez, seizing the opportunity to escape the awkward situation, immediately stood as well. “You know what, I should be going too. My husband will be expecting me for lunch.”

She turned to Joyce and me with a relieved expression. “Thank you for having us, Joyce. Elena, it was such a pleasure to meet Dorothea’s daughter.”

Within minutes, both women had made their excuses and departed, leaving Joyce and me alone in the glass house. The sudden quiet felt almost overwhelming after their chatter.

Joyce and I walked out of the glass house together, stepping into the fragrant air of the tea garden. The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves above us, creating dancing patterns of light and shadow on the stone path.

I must have looked preoccupied because Joyce noticed my expression immediately. Her brow furrowed with

33

Chapter 205 Mistaken Identity

as she studied

# Points

them to arrive early

any sign of displeasure.

head. Her

just take it as getting acquainted with the Riverside City

nodded, seeming relieved that

unexpected company.

both love to gossip,” she said with a knowing look. “Nothing in this circle, no matter how small or insignificant, escapes their ears. I’ve grown quite used to

more serious as she continued. “Don’t take anything they said

could tell Joyce was particularly concerned that I might be bothered by their discussion of Hazel Green, considering she

to reveal. “Actually, I’m quite curious about my aunt’s affairs. I

surprised by my admission. Her eyebrows

asked, clearly expecting that Samuel would have shared family

the pretense that I had grown

understand something in that moment.

sympathetic.

how to bring up such a complicated topic,” she said thoughtfully. “Family secrets can be difficult to discuss,

looked at me with kind eyes. “I know quite a bit about Hazel Green, especially given my past relationship with your

hope. Finally, someone who might give me honest answers about my supposed aunt

connection to my family.

told me that she was supposed to be mated to my father, but my mother. intercepted that

dramatic. Her eyes widened in shock, and she stopped

told you that?” Joyce asked,

watching her expression carefully. There was something in her face

had been

“If my father were truly ungrateful or dishonorable, he wouldn’t have

206 Mistaken

45 Points

expression grew earnest, and she nodded emphatically. “You’re

version of events.”

took a deep breath before continuing. “Half of what she told you is true. The Green family did

to be mated into the Whitmore family, but

paused, choosing her words carefully. “However, at the time, your father didn’t even know

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