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 lostdaughter?" she asked.
Sanderson also had reddened eyes, nodding. "Yes."
Sanderson and his childhood sweetheart, Lorna Wilson, were a picture of marital bliss, but theirdaughter 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 theheadmistress.
She sported a white baseball cap, dressed in a clean set of blue jeans and a t-shirt, her hair neatlytied back in a ponytail, and her fair face featured delicate features, with beautiful and clear eyeslooking 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 isCordelia Delaney."
Turning to the girl, she said, "Lia, these are your parents. They've come to take you home."
After hearing that, Cordelia's gaze finally focused, settling on Lorna.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Lorna looked at her with restraint and longing, her lips trembling withthe desire to connect, yet tentative for fear of rejection.
After a moment, Cordelia spoke softly, "Hello." Her tone was distant, somewhat indifferent.
Oblivious to the oddity, Lorna couldn't contain herself and embraced her daughter tightly, weepingloudly. "Oh, my darling girl, I have finally found you! You've suffered so much..."
The soft and warm embrace made Cordelia stiffen, unaccustomed to such affection.
Yet, pushing her away seemed too harsh.
Caught in her dilemma, Cordelia noticed Sanderson signaling the headmistress, and they steppedaway slightly. In a voice he thought she couldn't hear, Sanderson asked the headmistress in a lowtone, "Miss, there's nothing wrong with Lia, is there?" gesturing to his head.
The headmistress quickly responded, "Not at all. Cordelia is intelligent, a real genius. She's knownin our orphanage for her brilliance. She's more absorbed in her studies than social interactions, soshe might seem a bit slow to respond."
A genius?
To Sanderson, her being a genius mattered less than her not being foolish. He sighed in relief, andonce Lorna had calmed down a bit, they got into the car to head home.
Through the car window, Cordelia silently observed the outside world. The chaotic streets and theslightly worn door of the orphanage receded slowly as the car moved away until it turned a cornerand was out of sight. Only then did a faint feeling of loss belatedly sweep over her.
None of them saw that. After they left, a sleek black Range Rover pulled up quietly in front of theorphanage.
Inside sat two people.
The driver turned around. "Mr. Watkins, we're a step too late."
Everard Watkins in the back seat sat rigidly, his jawline firm. The dim light in the car cast his nearlyperfect features in a shadowy veil.
His sharp eyes emitted a sincere intensity that made it difficult to meet his gaze.
His fingers, long and well-defined, tapped the armrest lightly before he coldly reminded, "Don’t callme Mr. Watkins. Use a different name out here."
The driver quickly corrected, "Yes, boss."
He couldn't gauge his boss' mood and asked, "Shall we go directly to the Delaney family and takeher by force?"
Though prominent in Greenmeadow City, the Delaney family was no match for their power.
But, to his surprise, Everard paused before replying. "No rush."
The driver was stunned. After all this extensive searching to replace the girl, why was the bosssuddenly in no hurry?
As he pondered, he heard Everard command, "I'll handle her case personally."
[New story, new encounters! This is a totally different story, and I’m sure it’s very interesting!]
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