Chapter 1

In the oppressive swelter of August, a sense of restlessness pervaded the air.

Outside the orphanage gate, a well–kept middle–aged woman, her eyes swollen and red from crying, barely able to stand, was supported by her husband, Sanderson Delaney. “Is this our poor lost daughter?” she asked.

Sanderson also had reddened eyes, nodding. “Yes.”

Sanderson and his childhood sweetheart, Lorna Wilson, were a picture of marital bliss, but their daughter went missing under tragic circumstances. After 18 years of searching, hope had faded. Yet, surprisingly, their prayers were answered when they found her in an orphanage.

Sanderson’s gaze shifted to the two approaching him, settling on the polite girl trailing behind the headmistress.

She sported a white baseball cap, dressed in a clean set of blue jeans and a t–shirt, her hair neatly tied back in a ponytail, and her fair face featured delicate features, with beautiful and clear eyes looking at them, misty and bewildered.

Compared to the emotional couple, she seemed too calm.

Sanderson blinked in confusion.

As they drew closer, the headmistress presented the girl to them. “Mr. and Mrs. Delaney, this is Cordelia Delaney

said, “Lia, these are your parents. They’ve come to

hearing that, Cordelia’s gaze finally

looked at her with restraint and longing, her lips trembling with

spoke softly, “Hello.” Her tone

loudly. “Oh, my darling girl, I have finally found you! You’ve suffered so

and warm embrace made Cordelia stiffen, unaccustomed

her away seemed

they stepped away slightly. In a voice he thought she couldn’t hear, Sanderson asked the headmistress

“Not at all. Cordelia is intelligent, a real genius. She’s known in our orphanage for her brilliance. She’s more absorbed in her studies than social interactions, so she might seem a bit slow to respond.”

A genius?

a genius mattered less than her not being foolish. He sighed in relief, and once Lorna had calmed down a bit, they

slowly as the car moved away until it turned a corner and was out of sight. Only then

left, a sleek black Range Rover pulled up quietly in front

two

turned around. “Mr. Watkins, we’re a step too late.”

Chapter 1

his jawline firm. The dim light in

eyes emitted a sincere intensity that made it

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