Chapter 4:
Declan couldn’t help but steal a glance at Elena’s face, which bore an uncanny resemblance to her mother’s.
Elena had delicate, mesmerizing features—her deep, expressive eyes and naturally flawless complexion radiated an almost ethereal beauty at first sight. Her composed and distant nature strongly echoed that of her biological mother, Jolie Harper. Her striking appearance left everyone captivated. Declan inwardly remarked that Elena was undeniably the younger mirror image of Jolie.
Despite Declan’s lingering stare, Elena remained unbothered, maintaining her usual poise.
Impressed, Declan withdrew his gaze. Elena’s temperament perfectly reflected her lineage as a Harper.
Soon, the vehicle pulled to a stop in front of a private aircraft. Declan stepped out and guided Elena aboard.
As Elena took in the extravagant surroundings, her eyes swept over the luxurious rugs, plush leather seating, antique vases, crystal-studded chandeliers, and even a ceiling designed to mimic a starlit sky. It was becoming clear that her birth parents were far more remarkable than she had ever envisioned.
Elena turned toward the direction they were flying and suddenly spoke. “This route leads to Klathe, not Cloudstream Village.”
Declan promptly clarified, “Oh, right, Miss Harper, your family resides in Klathe. The mountains in Cloudstream Village are part of your family’s property. Years ago, your father was conducting environmental research there when your mother traveled to see him. However, she unexpectedly went into labor upon reaching Foiclens. She had to deliver at the closest hospital, where a fire broke out. She was told her newborn hadn’t survived, lost in the flames. But she swore she heard a baby’s cries and never stopped believing her daughter was alive. Ever since, your parents have been traveling between Foiclens and Klathe in search of you. When they saw reports about the Reed family’s daughter and the hospital’s past mistakes, your mother recalled the hospital where she had lost you. That led them straight to you.”
Klathe was the nation’s thriving center of commerce and governance. Although Foiclens bordered Klathe, its economy was nowhere near as powerful.
The Reed family, though wealthy within Foiclens with assets exceeding a hundred million, barely made the rankings among Klathe’s elite.
Elena raised an eyebrow. So, not only did her birth parents not live in Cloudstream Village, but they actually belonged to the very world the Reed family had always aspired to join?
L∆tєѕt chαptєrs ιn g𝒶lnovєl𝑠.𝑐ᴏm
As the plane touched down, Elena caught sight of an imposing estate with elegant architecture, its walls draped in vibrant blossoms.
“Is this…” she trailed off.
To her knowledge, there was only one estate like this in Klathe—Hillside Manor. It was so prestigious that only the most influential figures in the city could own it.
Declan said respectfully, “Miss Harper, this is Hillside Manor. It’s your home.”
As Elena stepped out of the plane, a man and a woman came into view. The man had a chiseled, commanding presence. Despite the traces of age on his face, his strength remained evident. He held onto the woman, who was dressed in soft hues, her long hair elegantly pinned. Though her expression was distant, worry and anticipation clouded her gaze.
The moment the woman’s eyes landed on Elena, they glistened with unshed tears.
Jolie, the woman in question, studied Elena’s unfamiliar face, yet an unshakable maternal bond stirred within her. This was her biological daughter.
“Elena, my daughter… I’m your mother…” Jolie’s voice trembled as tears streamed down her cheeks. After more than two decades of searching, the child she had longed for was finally in front of her.
Alexander Harper, Jolie’s husband and Elena’s father, despite his usual stern demeanor, was gentle as he reassured his wife. “Now that our daughter has returned, let’s welcome her with joy, not sorrow.”
Elena looked at the two standing before her, a peculiar sense of familiarity washing over her—especially with the man. She was almost certain she had seen his face in a magazine before.
As Elena remained silent, Alexander finally spoke. “Elena, we are your real parents. We’ve spent years scouring Cloudstream Village, never realizing you were in Foiclens. We regret that it took this long to find you.”
Elena asked hesitantly, “Are you Alexander Harper?”
