Ariana took a composed breath, her gaze shifting between Shawn and Adele before she said in a measured tone, “It’s quite commonplace, as the Fredricks own this mall.”

Recollection washed over Ariana, carrying her back to that initial return from abroad, when she and Sonia had ventured here to select gifts for Melon. In that bustling place, a man had caught her eye, his profile bearing an uncanny resemblance to Theodore’s.

And with that memory, a new revelation struck her.

It was Holden.

The cadence of Holden’s voice echoed Theodore’s, and there was a resemblance between their features, a similarity Melon had once remarked upon. A fanciful notion danced at the edges of Ariana’s thoughts.

Could Holden be Theodore?

Almost as swiftly as the thought surfaced, Ariana dismissed it, a wry twist touching her lips, dismissing the idea as preposterous. How could such a connection exist? Theodore, the heir of the esteemed Anderson family, tethered to the Fredrick lineage? It defied reason.

ties to the Fredrick family, surely Darian would have showered him

would have been well within his grasp. Why would he

align. How

Theodore five years ago, Holden had

an absence — an incongruity. Theodore and Holden had never materialized together. Moreover, Theodore had seemed entwined with the BRD Group and

herself, feeling a touch of absurdity for ever entertaining the notion

couldn’t control her

fate, Holden truly was Theodore, how had he

Angela’s Library

gentle touch on Ariana’s arm jolted her back to

up at her, reached out

request for a hug, Ariana adjusted her demeanor, offering a warm smile

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

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