In the courtyard, after everyone had freshened up, they returned to their rooms to rest.

Jodic lay on her bed, her mind consumed by thoughts of the day. She wondered if anyone outside was

ying to expose their complicated relationship. This thought filled her with anxiety and fear.

As she dwelled on it, she felt increasingly aggrieved. Therefore, she picked up her phone to message Aaron. When he saw the message, he got up and opened the door to find Jodie standing beneath the persimmon tree in the courtyard. “Jo, what’s going on?” he asked as he walked to her.

Seeing Aaron approach, Jodie took the initiative to throw herself into his arms. “Aaron, I’m scared.”

Aaron was taken aback, puzzled. “Scared of what?”

With teary eyes, Jodie tightly embraced his waist, looking at him. “I’m afraid our relationship will be exposed. I’m afraid I’ll be a burden to you, and people will–criticize you. After all, you’re Simone’s biological brother, and I’m nothing.”

Saying this, she burst into tears. “I’m so scared that Mom and Dad, and all of you, will no longer want

me.”

Ever since Simone was found and returned, this fear had been haunting her.

Having grown accustomed to being the pampered daughter of the Gray Family, she had no desire to return to her old life.

Thus, she often subtly sowed seeds of discord against Simone when she was alone with the Grays. She created a narrative that implied Simone’s return meant not only taking away her identity but also harboring ill will toward her.

Simone wanted to take everything from her and push her out of the family.

Over this past year, she had been quietly making her moves, and it had been quite successful. Sure enough, the entire family still doted on her while growing increasingly dissatisfied with Simone.

So what if Simone is their biological daughter? She still can’t measure up to the adopted one.

Whenever she coveted something of Simone’s, all it took was a subtle, indirect suggestion,

Those from the Gray Family would willingly snatch it from Simone and hand it over to her.

She had been in control and manipulating everything all along. But since the previous incident, everything had spiraled out of control.

the family, even severing ties

Jodie was delighted, thinking she had finally gotten rid of

not going

left, although the members of the Gray

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The Shocking

a strong desire for her

used to be the one Simone

on the variety show, he found himself constantly drawn to Simone, seeking

and gave rise to a sense of

Simone nearly exposed their relationship on the internet by mentioning the three taboos. This had thrown

Simone away might not be

Simone continue to provoke the displeasure of the Gray Family’s members until they themselves pushed her out.

point where they couldn’t stand Simone and would expel her. This was the only way to truly eliminate

we ever not want you? As for the issue of your identity, you don’t need to worry anymore.

He also felt a bit

everyone about their blood ties?

just wasn’t the right time for a public announcement. They should wait

until Jodie felt secure and had firmly established herself in the entertainment industry.

unhappy waiting

at him pitifully, as if seeking

looking at her in this

kissed her forehead, assuring her. “Of course, we’ll

playfully said, “Then, once this variety show is over, you guys better coax Simone. After all, she’s the true daughter of the Gray Family. I don’t want her to leave the Gray Family because of me. I’ve been feeling really uneasy

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Wed, 29 NOV

The Shocking

leaving is due to her own stubbornness, and it has nothing to do with you. Don’t overthink it. Of course, no matter what, she’s still a daughter of the Gray Family. We’ll make sure she comes back. Don’t worry. After she learns her lesson and comes back, she won’t deliberately vie with you

all hoped to see Simone and Jodie coexist peacefully in the family. Perhaps after this incident, once Simone had

Jodie

leaned in, planting a kiss on

intimate gestures with them, even coaxing them to plant kisses on her forehead and cheek as a form

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

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