My Accidental Husband is a Billionaire

845 Chapter 844

Jodie wasn't bound with ropes, nor were there shackles on her feet. She walked in wearing her favorite dress, surrounded by armed guards, her head held high without a trace of panic. She looked less like someone taken hostage and more like someone being escorted to safety.

She had always been this way—calm and composed, even if the world crumbled around her.

Keira's gaze locked on her mother's face.

Her face was clean and her hair impeccably styled. If it weren't for the paleness of her lips, she would look exactly as she had years ago in Oceanion, as if life had treated her well.

But Keira, ever perceptive, caught the unsteadiness in her mother's otherwise graceful steps. Beneath the façade of poise was exhaustion and frailty.

Keira's mind flashed to the lashings her mother endured the night before. Jodie hadn't cried or screamed, yet those around her had howled and wept as if they were the ones suffering.

Keira felt her eyes sting with tears. She blinked hard, refusing to let them fall.

Jodie looked up and caught sight of Keira. A flicker of surprise crossed her face. "Keera?"

Keira immediately understood—her mother was prompting her to play along. Keira gave a small, detached nod.

Keera had never grown up with her mother, so their first meeting was meant to carry a sense of unfamiliarity.

Jodie smiled gently. "I never thought our first real meeting as mother and daughter would be under such circumstances."

Jessica scoffed. "First meeting? What first meeting? Don't pretend we don't know she was in Oceanion when we dragged you out of Crera."

chuckled softly, the picture of calm. "That day was too chaotic. I only caught a brief glimpse of Keera, and

with a tinge of emotion, "Keera,

at her

her hand back

she forced herself to ask, "Have you

faintly. "I'm

Oceanion was just another cage. These years have taught me that. Staying

She lowered her gaze.

was fine? Then why wouldn't you take the lovers they sent you? Still clinging to your so-called

didn't want to be reduced to a tool for reproduction. Just like you don't. We're both failures in this system, so why mock

comfort in Oceanion, hiding away. You think that makes

stolen. And now you've stolen my daughter from me, too. What's the point of talking

about." Jessica's words dripped with venom. "You lived under the same roof as Keira for twenty-two years and couldn't acknowledge her as your daughter. And as soon as your other daughter met you,

was

I have to thank you for taking Keera, it's because it meant at least

successor from Country

Keira's pupils contracted sharply.

realized her mother

hadn't been the work of the

made sense now. The South family, desperate for heirs, wouldn't have eliminated her and

Eagle…

a rival she

had told

her side, while three had pledged allegiance to Eagle. The power struggle had narrowed, leaving only her