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

to the girl, she said, “Lia, these are your

hearing that, Cordelia’s gaze finally focused, settling on

looked at her with restraint and longing, her lips trembling with the desire to connect, yet

a moment, Cordelia spoke softly, “Hello.” Her tone was

the oddity, Lorna couldn’t contain herself and embraced her daughter tightly, weeping loudly. “Oh, my darling girl, I have

warm embrace made Cordelia stiffen, unaccustomed to such

pushing her away

voice he thought she couldn’t hear, Sanderson asked the headmistress in a low tone, “Miss, there’s

orphanage for her brilliance. She’s

A genius?

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

door of the orphanage receded slowly as the car moved away until it turned a corner and was out of sight. Only then did a faint feeling of

saw that. After they left, a sleek black Range Rover pulled

sat two

around. “Mr. Watkins, we’re

Chapter 1

sat rigidly, his jawline firm. The dim light in

a sincere intensity that made it difficult to meet

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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