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."

"That day was too chaotic. I only caught

forward, took Keira's hand, and said with a tinge of emotion, "Keera, you look just like your sister, Keira. The resemblance is uncanny. It's such a

dabbed at

pulled her

felt tight, but she forced herself to ask, "Have you been

faintly. "I'm

think escaping the South family would bring me freedom, but life in Oceanion was just another cage. These years have taught me that. Staying with the South family is no worse than anywhere

She lowered her gaze.

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

I simply didn't want to be reduced

peace and comfort

you've stolen my daughter from

"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, she was dragged right back to the South family. Jodie

was deliberately

Keera, it's because it

The successor from Country

Keira's pupils contracted sharply.

mother was passing her

Oceanion hadn't been the work of

for heirs, wouldn't have eliminated her and her sister. But the infighting among successors? That was

Eagle…

was a rival she could never afford to

had told

four had already joined her side, while three had pledged allegiance to Eagle. The power struggle had narrowed,