Fiction After Dark E Facebook ad: “Read now to see what happens next”

About this ad

Meta Ad Library ID

1710180403659857

Platforms

Facebook, Instagram, Audience Network, Messenger and Threads

Relaunches

0

How we count

Ad text

A trembling child's voice breaks the silence. 'Mom?' Milo's big, glossy eyes, filled with panic, meet Adele's. The pretense shatters as she pulls him into a fierce, desperate embrace. 'You figured it out, didn't you?' He nods wildly, burying himself in her warmth, a lost soul finally finding home. This raw, tear-soaked reunion is just the beginning. Witness a world where lust and power clash in silk-slip gowns, where a father's cold fury masks hidden tempers, and a mother will do anything—use *anyone*—to protect the child she thought she'd lost forever. Dive into the scandal. --------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1 Gave Birth To Twins In the lavish bridal suite, the lights were dim, and the air was thick with desire. A man's low breathing tangled with a woman's restrained whimpers. Adele Vanderbilt had been full of joy, only for one sentence from her husband, Landon Vanderbilt, to shove her straight into hell. "Is Evelina really my biological daughter?" Adele stared at him in disbelief. On their wedding night, her husband was actually questioning whether their daughter was his. In Donspan, the Fairbairn family and the Vanderbilt family stood at the very top. Adele and Landon, the heirs of both families, had always been seen as childhood sweethearts. Everyone thought their relationship had grown naturally into love. Adele had loved Landon for ten whole years. Before they got married because of the baby, terrible rumors about Adele had started spreading. People said she was loose, that her private life was a mess, and that even the child she carried before marriage might not be Landon's. Adele had firmly believed those baseless rumors could never shake what they had. She'd never imagined Landon would doubt her like this. "Get the hell out!" Adele shoved Landon hard, but she was no match for his strength. Tears slid silently past her temples and soaked into her hair. One reckless night led to ten months of pregnancy. In a cold, spotless luxury maternity hospital, Adele held her twin sons in her arms. Her pale face was filled with the soft happiness of a new mother. "Mom," Adele called her mother. Her throat was dry from all the screaming. Her voice was usually clear and sweet, but now, it carried a rough rasp. Adele forced a weak smile. No matter what happened, her family was always there with her. Thinking of that, she asked in a faint voice, "Where is Landon?" Hearing that question, Adele's mother, Olivia Fairbairn, froze. "Their eyes and brows look so much like Landon's." Adele traced the two tiny faces with loving fingers. "He'll be so happy when he sees them, right?" Olivia looked at Adele's fragile, pale face and asked bitterly, "Sweetheart, do you really love Landon that much? He..." Olivia swallowed the rest of her words. 'He didn't stay with you through labor. He doesn't even care if you live or die.' Adele smiled. That beautiful smile held only joy and love. She said in a soft voice, "Mom, I love him. I've loved him for ten years. Now we have our own children. I believe he'll know I'm innocent. "Mom, don't listen to those rumors. You know I'm not that kind of woman." Olivia looked at her daughter with grief in her eyes. Seeing Adele pour all her love into the wrong man, Olivia left the room and wiped away her tears. Adele closed her eyes in exhaustion. She'd practically had one foot in the grave during childbirth, and the doctors had managed to pull her back. She was so tired. If Landon had been there, she would've broken down crying in his arms. All the hurt and misery bottled inside her made her want to talk to him right away. Then she vaguely heard the familiar sound of leather shoes hitting the floor. Adele's eyes flew open in surprise, and she said, "Honey, why did you come so..." Before she could finish, a hard slap suddenly cracked across her face." "Adele, how dare you!" Landon's furious face loomed right in front of her. He grabbed her hospital gown with one hand and yanked her straight off the bed, dragging her onto the freezing floor. "Landon, what are you doing? Let go of me. It hurts." Adele struggled weakly. The wound on her lower body, which hadn't healed yet, tore open again. Blood slowly seeped through her hospital gown. "It hurts? Could you even feel half the pain my parents felt when they died? You make me sick." Landon grabbed her by the hair, ignoring her crying and screams and questioning her. "Why? Why did you force them to their deaths?" Adele's vision blurred with tears. Crying helplessly, she said, "Landon, I don't know what you're talking about. What happened to your parents? Please let me go first. I'm really hurting." The ripping pain was more than any normal person could bear. Adele was almost blacking out from it. Blood smeared across the floor, spreading like some ugly omen. "Stop acting, Adele. If you hadn't called my parents over for the delivery, they wouldn't have gotten into that car accident." Landon nearly lost his mind. His hand clamped around her throat. "Ugh... Let... Help..." Adele's face turned red from lack of air. Her mind slowly went foggy, and the light faded from her eyes. At that critical moment, the doctors and nurses rushed in and pulled Landon away, saving her life. Adele collapsed onto the floor, coughing violently. The taste of blood spread through her mouth. It took her a long while to finally catch her breath again. She looked at Landon in confusion and heartbreak, her voice rough and shaking. "Honey, you don't believe me? I never called your parents." The only thing she got in return was his cold back as he walked away and one sentence full of hatred. "Adele, I'll never let you off the hook." The once dazzling Fairbairn daughter, the pride of Vertile, now lay weak and broken on the hospital floor. The grief and pain in her eyes drowned all the other emotions. Adele thought bitterly, 'Landon actually doesn't believe me.' After leaving the hospital, Adele still carried one last shred of hope. She returned to Vanderbilt Manor. But the sight waiting for her shattered every last bit of expectation she still had. On the wedding bed, a naked man and woman were sleeping together, tangled in each other's arms. Chapter 2 Committed Suicide And Returned Adele stood frozen in place with the twins in her arms. Right in front of her were her husband, Landon, and her adopted sister, Rosalie Carnegie. "What the hell are you two doing?" Adele cried, completely breaking down. Landon snapped awake. When he saw that Adele was back, he looked a little surprised. He wrapped something around himself without the slightest shame and scoffed, "Come on, slut, drop your act. You've probably climbed into more beds than I have." "What are you talking about?" Adele could barely recognize the man in front of her. He wasn't like her husband at all. Landon threw a paternity test report at her and snapped, "Evelina really isn't my daughter. Adele, you're ruthless. Take the breakup money and get out of my sight. The Fairbairn family is done. You're gonna need it." His eyes were icy as he went on, "I have to take responsibility for Rosalie. Don't blame me. You cheated first." Landon snorted inwardly, 'She gave birth to another man's child and got my parents killed. And now she has the nerve to come here and point fingers?' He looked at her with a cold sneer, his eyes filled with nothing but hatred. Rosalie leaned against Landon and said in a gentle voice, "Adele, since you don't love Landon, let us be together. I-I'm already with him." Adele felt sick upon hearing that. She thought bitterly, 'My parents adopted Rosalie when she was little, and from then on, she's gotten used to envying everything I have. She always wants to take everything from me. 'She is also great at acting pitiful, and we have never treated her badly. 'And now, she actually wants to steal my husband. 'I'm such a fool. I don't even know when they started hooking up. Not long after the wedding, I was pregnant with the twins, and Rosalie has moved into Vanderbilt Manor under the excuse of taking care of me. 'Have they already been together behind my back back then?' On their wedding night, her husband had questioned her purity. For the next year of marriage, Adele had walked on eggshells every single day. The once proud Fairbairn daughter had worn herself down into a tired, faded woman, all to make her husband believe her. But while she had been lying in a hospital bed, screaming in pain with only a caregiver beside her, her husband had been sleeping with her own sister. Adele mocked herself bitterly, 'God, I'm such a pathetic fool.' Her face went pale as she stared at the report. It actually said "Landon and Evelina are not biologically related." Adele thought, 'How is that possible? I'm 100% sure Evie is Landon and my daughter. 'A report that could be faked anytime is enough for Landon to decide I'm guilty. When he's determined to frame me, he'll always find a reason.' With a bloodless face, Adele asked, "What do you mean, the Fairbairn family is done?" She had already found it strange that her parents hadn't been by her side when she gave birth. Clinging to the last shred of hope, she asked with a trembling voice. Landon snapped, "You got my parents killed. All I did was bring down your family. You should be grateful your parents are still alive." "What the hell is wrong with you?" Adele screamed back. "I told you, I never called your parents. I DIDN'T kill them!" Landon pushed down the strange flicker in his chest. He thought, 'She's the bitch who got my parents killed and played me like a fool. I don't owe her mercy.' His voice turned cold. "Get the hell out." The bodyguards stepped forward and dragged Adele, stiff and numb all over, out of the house. Reporters had already surrounded the hospital. Looking utterly broken, Adele was forced into an interview. "Mrs. Adele Vanderbilt, whose child is Evelina?" "Your husband's parents died in a car accident. Does it have anything to do with you?" "Did you kill your husband's parents to cover up your cheating?" "Did you know Fairbairn Group has gone bankrupt? Did you know this was your husband's revenge?" ***** Late that night, Adele secretly slipped into Vanderbilt Manor. She'd never imagined that she'd have to sneak in to see her own sons. She kissed the twins' cheeks one last time, and her tears fell onto the crib. Rosalie's threatening voice rang in Adele's ears. "Adele, don't you get it yet? I spread those rumors about you cheating. I faked the paternity test. I even planned the car accident that killed Landon's parents. "Once they were dead, there were two fewer people standing in my way of marrying Ladon. And you're the last one left. Evelina's missing is the price you pay for getting in my way." Adele's hands shook as she held the only piece of clothing Evelina had left behind. After being trapped by reporters for only a few hours, she rushed back to Vanderbilt Manor to demand answers, only to hear that her daughter was missing. Adele had nearly lost her mind. She couldn't accept being framed for cheating by her own husband, watching her family go bankrupt, and then hearing that her daughter had vanished. Like a madwoman, she had questioned everyone. Only then did she learn that the last person who had taken her daughter out was Rosalie. Adele cried, her voice broken, "Where the hell did you take Evie?" Adele was thin and weak. She struggled with every ounce of the strength she had, but she was no match for the hired men holding her down. All she could do was watch Rosalie burn every last piece of Evelina's clothing. Then Rosalie said, "Adele, what are you talking about? Evelina ran off on her own. Lanny said that since she isn't his daughter, no need to get her back." Rosalie leaned close to Adele and whispered in an evil tone, "Dear sister, you should know what I can do by now. You don't want your sons to disappear just as quietly, huh? Die on your own. And don't even think about playing any tricks, like taking them away. Or I won't let your parents off either." That vicious tone made it impossible for Adele to believe this was the sister she'd grown up with. Her parents had never mistreated Rosalie, after all. Adele didn't dare ignore the threat. The once-proud Fairbairn daughter had nothing left now. She had no power. She couldn't protect the twins herself. All she could do was disappear and hope Landon would still protect them. Adele said to her sleeping sons, "Theo, Milo, Mommy has to find Evie. She's only two. I don't know where she is. She must be so scared. Mommy doesn't want to leave you, but I have to go." Looking at the two babies sleeping so peacefully, Adele couldn't hold back her sobs. She covered her mouth, sat down at the desk, and wrote a letter. The next day, a maid's scream nearly tore the roof off the house. "Bad news! Madam left a suicide note and killed herself!" ***** Three years later, aboard a flight from Merridia to Cathayria, the VIP cabin had fewer than ten seats in total. The tickets cost a fortune, and the service matched the price perfectly. Even the flight attendants were highly trained professionals who spoke at least three languages. After all, every person sitting in that cabin was the kind of big shot who could make all of Vertile shake with a single word. Suddenly, a sharp female voice shattered the silence. "What the hell is wrong with you people? This dress is a limited edition. Someone like you can't afford it even with ten years' salary." Her loud, shrill yelling made the surrounding elites, CEOs, and government officials frown and look over from their rest. Normally, people who could afford this cabin had decent manners. The other guests didn't expect someone to throw a fit over a stained dress. A young woman in a flashy pink gown stood in the aisle. A faint splash of juice stained the layers of her oversized skirt. And over that tiny stain, she was making a huge scene. The flight attendant's face had gone pale as she knelt on the floor, carefully wiping the hem while apologizing over and over. "I'm so sorry, ma'am. I'll clean it up right away." But the woman refused to let it go and insisted, "Cleaning it? Are you serious? This custom dress cost over 150,000 dollars. You think I, Rosalie Carnegie, will wear a dirty gown? My wedding is this afternoon. How are you gonna pay for this?" Rosalie had built her fame as a rising pure-and-sweet singer. Her public image had always been the lovely, rich-girl type. Her fans constantly boasted things like "Rosalie is so adorable", "She's such a sweetheart", "She's the cutest rich girl ever", and so on. No one imagined that behind the cameras, she was so high and mighty. The flight attendant was on the verge of tears. Her eyes were already red. She definitely couldn't afford so much money. She tried to explain, "It was because you spread your dress across the aisle that I accidentally stepped on it and fell. I already told you not to block the walkway." "You're seriously talking back to me?" Rosalie snapped. Furious that the attendant dared to argue, Rosalie suddenly lifted her leg and kicked at her. The sharp heel of Rosalie's stiletto shot straight toward the young attendant's face. She froze in fear, staring helplessly as the heel got closer and closer. If that hit her face, she'd be disfigured for life. Someone inside the cabin stood up to stop Rosalie, but it was already too late. Seeing the terrified attendant, Rosalie couldn't help revealing a vicious smile. But the next second, the smile froze on her face. Without any warning, she suddenly crashed backward onto the floor with a loud bang. The back of her head slammed hard against the ground. A wave of sharp pain and dizziness hit her instantly. She sprawled there without a shred of elegance left. She clutched her head and screamed, "Who the hell did that?" Chapter 3 Attending The Wedding A woman with a stunning figure stood up from the seat beside Rosalie. A pair of oversized sunglasses covered most of her face, revealing only her rosy lips and delicate chin. Her sleek designer pantsuit hugged every curve perfectly, making her long legs stand out even more. Everyone in the cabin looked at her in amazement. She let out a soft scoff. "Oh? You don't wear dirty gowns? Rosalie, last I checked, you've loved picking up whatever your sister threw away since you were little. You even took her man. Sounds to me like you're pretty into secondhand trash." Her voice was cool and smooth, rich with confidence and style. The fake sugary tone Rosalie always used instantly sounded cheap in comparison. It honestly saved everyone's ears. Someone nearby broke into laughter. Rosalie's scandals had already been an open secret among high society. Hearing somebody call it out so directly made several people crack up. Rosalie's face turned bright red. Nobody knew whether it was from the pain in her head or pure rage. With her agent helping her up, she staggered to her feet. The massive skirt nearly tripped her again. More laughter spread through the cabin. Rosalie shouted furiously, "Do you even know who I am? How dare you laugh at me!" The woman tilted her head slightly. The cute motion was so charming that it nearly melted people's hearts. Looking genuinely confused, she said, "I said your name, didn't I? Rosalie, I know exactly who you are. You're the homewrecker. You stole somebody else's husband." "You..." Rosalie nearly exploded with rage. The darkest secret in her heart had been dragged out into the open. She wanted nothing more than to claw the woman's face apart right then and there. The woman casually waved her hand. Her fingers were long and delicate, the faint rosy color at her fingertips weirdly mesmerizing. Clearly annoyed, she said, "Make her shut up. We're about to land." Rosalie still tried to struggle, but one of the woman's bodyguards immediately forced her back into her seat. The flight attendant looked at the woman gratefully. ***** At the VIP exit of the airport, a huge group of reporters waited nervously outside. Cameras and long lenses were already pointed at the entrance as everyone stared without blinking. Rosalie and the mysterious woman walked out one after another. The second Rosalie saw the reporters, she lifted her chin proudly. She was just about to put on a pitiful act for the cameras when her smile suddenly froze. The reporters rushed straight past her without even sparing her a glance and shouted, "Snowe's out." They charged directly toward the woman instead. Rosalie's face instantly darkened. She clenched her teeth hard enough to hurt. The reporters gathered around the woman and bombarded her with many questions. "Hello. Any plans for your career back home this time, Snowe?" "Have you picked someone you like to be the face of your makeup brand, Snowveil?" "Are you planning to expand in the domestic market now?" A sea of microphones shoved forward in front of the woman. Rosalie's eyes went wide. She didn't expect the woman to be the internationally renowned makeup designer Snowe. Every celebrity had chased after her. Her brand, Snowveil, was top-tier, always in short supply. Celebrities would kill to get their hands on even a single eyeshadow palette, and they'd post it all over social media once they did. Rosalie had been eyeing the Snowveil endorsement for a long time. If she could get it, her rich-girl image would be cemented even further. Rosalie pushed hard through the throng of reporters, sidled up to Snowe, and looped her arm around hers as if they were close friends. Wearing a sweet and natural smile, she said casually to the media, "Wow, Snowe is so famous. Why didn't you reveal your identity on the plane? I had no idea." The reporters went shocked, thinking, 'The rising star Rosalie actually knows Snowe? So the Snowveil endorsement is already decided?' Microphones pressed even closer to the two women. Adele casually removed her sunglasses and shot Rosalie a disdainful look. Her plush red lips parted to speak in Venish, "And you are?" She pulled her arm back from Rosalie's grip with clear disdain, even flicking it as if brushing off something dirty. Rosalie froze on the spot. She couldn't understand what Snowe had just said. International reporters snickered. Everyone knew Snowe was mixed-race and had lived abroad most of her life. If the two were truly acquainted, Rosalie would've understood Venish. And Snowe had just asked Rosalie who she was. That question exposed Rosalie's lie. Rosalie's face immediately turned grim. Out of the camera's view, she glared at Snowe with pure venom. That afternoon, headlines exploded. [Shocking news! Makeup designer Snowe makes a surprise return home. What's the goddess of beauty planning this time?] [Rosalie tries to butter Snow up, but gets publicly rejected.] [Snowe asks who Rosalie is.] Adele's assistant, Jenna Lowell, read the headlines aloud, her tone dripping with mockery. "Adele, look. In every photo, Rosalie is staring at you with envy. She doesn't even care her image is falling apart." In the photos, Adele looked breathtaking in her sharp pantsuit and unique makeup, stunning both the media and the audience alike. Nearby, Rosalie's envy was nearly impossible to hide. Adele was removing her makeup, wiping away Snowe's special disguise piece by piece. She didn't forget the tempting mole near the corner of her eye. At last, her real face appeared. Looking at the clear, elegant beauty in the mirror, Adele actually felt a little unfamiliar with herself. It seemed she hadn't looked at herself properly in far too long. She had spent the past three years searching for her daughter and building her own power. Now, she was back. Touching the smooth, delicate skin of her face, she said with a smile, "Jenna, check if there's any news about the Vanderbilt-Carnegie wedding." Jenna quickly searched through the major sites. Right now, every headline was buried under the news of Snowe's return, and everything else had been pushed aside. After searching for a long time, she finally found one small trending post tucked away in the corner. [Vanderbilt Group heir Landon Vanderbilt and Rosalie Carnegie, the second daughter of the Carnegie family and rising singer, will hold their grand wedding on October 1, 2021. Location: Vanderbilt Villa.] When Adele heard that, she frowned. Then she picked up her makeup tools and gave herself a plain, unremarkable look. After she finished, the originally natural beauty was turned into an ordinary woman. Jenna's eyes went wide. "Adele, what are you doing?" Jenna couldn't understand why Adele would make herself look worse on purpose. Adele flashed a mysterious smile. Even so, the charm inside her lively eyes still couldn't be hidden. They added a quiet glow to her otherwise plain face. "Come on. We're going to the wedding," she said to Jenna. ***** Soon, Adele and Jenna came to Vanderbilt Villa. Adele had changed into a simple black dress. She thought it was low-key enough. But her hot, hourglass figure, the long legs faintly showing beneath the hem, were enough to pull every gaze in the room. She didn't seem to notice at all. Under the stunned looks of the men and the jealous stares of the women, she walked in calmly. The wedding hadn't started yet. The bride and groom were still getting ready separately. Adele looked around at the lavish decorations. Every white rose had been flown in from abroad, and the white silk embroidered with hidden patterns was priceless. Everything showed how much the Vanderbilt family valued this wedding. Adele's eyes darkened. She thought, 'All of this used to be mine.' Pain stabbed through her heart. Without realizing it, she lowered her head, exposing her long, slender neck. Several heated gazes followed her at once, all the way until she entered the restroom. After calming herself down and walking out, Adele happened to hear a noisy fight coming from a corner. At first, she thought it was kids messing around. But when she listened closer, a chill ran down her spine. A kid shouted, "A crazy monster and a deaf-mute idiot. How did you two get out of the zoo?" Chapter 4 Searching The Villa Other kids joined and pointed at the two boys. "Idiot! idiot!" "Monster! Hit him. Look, he's scared." "You're crying? Oh my! Even idiots and monsters can cry." Adele furrowed her brows and leaned in from the shadows. About five kids were surrounding two little boys and beating them mercilessly. Their punches and grabs were strong. They yanked hair and swung objects with full force. An adult would have ended up bruised all over, let alone the two little boys trapped in the middle. Looking closer, Adele found they were actually two cute, well-formed little boys, not what other kids had said. The stronger boy stood in front, and the weaker one cowered behind. Their faces were strikingly similar. It was obvious that they were twins. The older one, a bit sturdier, had a youthful face but with a fierce expression. However, he was tough on the outside but fragile inside. Surrounded by the other kids, he couldn't protect his younger brother behind him at all. The weak boy was being yanked around, his timid face full of fear. He couldn't speak, just cried out some syllables for help to his brother, terrified of the pushes and hits. Adele had a close look at the two boys. Her hand flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp. "Theo, Milo," she mumbled. Even after three years, she recognized her sons at a glance. Tears sprang to her eyes. She'd spent three years missing these kids, and now to see them treated like this made her heart ache. Even if it meant revealing herself, she couldn't stand by anymore. Adele tore off the limited-edition bracelet from her wrist, worth a fortune, and grabbed one of the plump pearls, hurling it with all her might. It flew fast, hitting with heavy force. A global limited-edition pearl bracelet, coveted by countless rich socialites, had just been dismantled and thrown. But for her children, she didn't care at all. "Who hit me?" cried the leader kid, clutching his head in pain. Adele was about to throw another pearl when footsteps suddenly reached her ears. She instantly stepped back into the shadows. A tall man appeared, walking calmly yet exuding pure authority. He stopped in front of those kids. "Did your parents teach you to bully other kids?" Landon's low voice rumbled with anger. The kids trembled all over. The ringleader tried to argue, "We were just joking. Are you seriously gonna get mad at us? We're kids." "Well, a real model kid," Landon said, his deep eyes sweeping over them. A faintly sarcastic smile tugged at his lips. "Why are you smiling?" the boy asked, his voice trembling. Landon said calmly, "I'm not getting mad at kids." The kids let out a breath of relief. But Adele, standing behind them, frowned. She knew Landon's tone too well. He only sounded like that when he was truly furious. As Adele expected, Landon continued, "But kids learn from their parents. You don't have to answer for what you did, but your parents will." Before the kids could beg for mercy, Landon had already given the order. "Cancel all partnerships with the Larkins, Wycliffe, and Somerfield families." "Yes, sir," his assistant, Bob Clarke, replied and immediately got to work. The kids collapsed to the ground in despair. They knew their family businesses were over. Adele watched Landon move fast to avenge the two boys, and something stirred in her heart. She thought with relief, 'Turns out he treats our children well.' But in the next second, anger burned through her. Landon snapped at the two boys, "As heirs of the Vanderbilt family, are you two only good at standing there and taking a beating?" Hearing that, Theo held Milo tightly, blocking him from seeing Landon's mouth. Then he shouted angrily, "You think I wanted this? Rosalie forced us out, dumped us here, and then left. She did it on purpose." Landon frowned. "Don't make excuses for your own weakness. And don't call Rosalie by her name. She may become your mother." "No! She's not our mom!" Theo thundered. Landon's face grew even colder. But when he met Theo's stubborn, tearful face, he suddenly felt powerless. Then he looked at Milo, who was hiding in Theo's arms and sobbing, "Mom..." Landon felt even more helpless. He stepped forward, wanting to pull the children up. However, Theo flinched back by instinct. Landon froze for a second. Only then did he realize Theo had thought he was going to hit him. "Stop. Is this how you teach your sons?" Adele couldn't hold back anymore and stepped out. Hearing that familiar voice, Landon immediately turned around. When he saw her plain face and those bright, reddened eyes, a strange sense of familiarity hit him. But then disappointment filled his eyes. He thought, 'It's not her.' He shot back, "This is our family's business. It's not your place to butt in." 'But they're my children too,' Adele thought angrily. Before Adele could argue, Landon turned back to the boys and said, "Come with me." Then Landon walked away. Theo had no choice but to take Milo's hand. The two boys almost had to jog to keep up with Landon's pace. When Milo passed Adele, his hand quietly brushed against Adele's hand hanging at her side. The timid little boy looked up at Adele. The moment their eyes met, he quickly looked away, and his ears turned red. Adele's heart melted at his gaze. But she had come here with a mission. Gritting her teeth, she turned and left. She missed the complicated look Landon gave her from behind. After avoiding everyone's eyes, Adele changed into lighter clothes and quietly slipped from room to room. She came back this time to search for clues about her eldest daughter, Evelina. For three years, she had never stopped looking, but she had found nothing. So now, she could only start with Rosalie. Staying outside the guards' sight, Adele silently entered Rosalie's bedroom, which had once been Adele's. "She still loves secondhand stuff," Adele sneered. On the vanity sat luxury items Adele had once used. Jewelry and handbags were piled everywhere, worth more than millions of dollars. Every accessory Adele owned had been the best of the best. Rosalie had wanted these things since childhood, even though Adele's parents had never treated her badly. Adele mocked inwardly, 'After all these years, Rosalie still hasn't grown up. She's still obsessed with things she doesn't deserve.' Adele didn't care about any of those material things. Her sharp eyes swept over every corner of the room, and soon, she noticed something strange. She moved closer and saw that the famous painting on the wall had been shifted many times. She gently pulled the frame aside. Sure enough, behind it was a small safe built into the wall. It was a 32-digit automatic safe, currently one of the most advanced and secure models on the market. Given enough time, Adele was confident she could crack it without alerting anyone. But she didn't have enough time now. She had to search the entire villa as quickly as possible. Security here was usually too tight. A chance like today wouldn't come again. Adele thought for a few moments. With a sly smile, she quietly shifted the painting just a bit. The angle was too subtle for outsiders to notice, but if Rosalie saw it, she would definitely panic and check the safe. That would be the perfect chance for Adele. Adele jumped from the outdoor ledge outside the window into another room. It was Landon's study. Several files were scattered across the desk. Adele glanced at them without much thought, then froze on the spot. They were investigation reports. Private detectives had written detailed reports, and the final conclusion was clear. [No trace of Evelina has been found.] The latest date marked on the report was yesterday. Adele pressed her lips together. She hadn't expected that for the past three years, Landon had never given up looking for Evelina either. Forcing herself to look away, Adele warned herself inwardly, 'I can't be softhearted. The most important thing right now is finding a clue to Evelina's whereabouts.' Suddenly, she heard the door open. She nervously hid in the darkness. From the corner of her eye, she saw Landon's steady footsteps stop at the doorway for a moment. That brief pause made Adele hold her breath. She thought, 'Landon? What is he doing here? Isn't he supposed to be at his wedding?' Chapter 5 The Wedding Is Cancelled "Mr. Vanderbilt, this is the latest search report from the team. There's still no trace of... her." Bob awkwardly handed over the report. Over the past three years, Landon had spent over a million dollars, searching every corner of Vertile for Adele. Even if she was dead, he wanted her body. Unfortunately, they had found nothing. The exhaustion on Landon's handsome face was hard to hide. He rubbed his temple and said in a low voice, "Got it." Bob tried to say something but hesitated. Landon sighed, "Say what you want." Bob said with real concern, "Mr. Vanderbilt, you've been looking for her for three years. We've nearly turned the city upside down, but there's still no result. It means she's already dead. I shouldn't say this to you, but I really can't stand watching you torture yourself anymore. "Today is your wedding. Ms. Carnegie has waited for you for three years. That's tough for her." He thought, 'I really can't keep watching this. For a woman who got his parents killed, Mr. Vanderbilt has already done more than enough. He's spent money and effort searching for three years, and he even delayed his own marriage.' Bob knew he had crossed the line, but he had to say it. Landon didn't feel offended. He understood Bob's loyalty. Bob had stayed by his side for years and had never made a mistake. Landon knew he should listen to Bob. Landon hated Adele. That hatred had driven him to bring down the Fairbairn family. It had let him file for divorce without guilt. It had even led to that drunken mistake, the one that forced him to be with Rosalie. However, Adele had killed herself. The once-breathtaking Fairbairn daughter had killed herself on the very day he filed for divorce. Landon's eyes went blank. His mind filled with memories of him and Adele growing up together, then watching everything fall apart. In the end, his memory stopped at the moment he saw Adele's suicide note. The hatred filling his chest had suddenly had nowhere to go. Only confusion remained. They were childhood sweethearts, and their feelings weren't something they could easily cut off. He had never wanted her dead. For the past three years, he hadn't given up searching for Adele's body. Maybe he had only wanted an answer for himself. But reality wouldn't let him wait any longer. Landon lowered his eyes and said coolly, "The wedding goes on as planned. Stop the search." "Yes, sir." Bob felt relieved and left. In the silent room, only Landon's faint breathing remained. He sat there with his eyes closed, so still that he looked like the perfect statue carved by an artist. He was flawless and shadowed by a sadness no one could quite name. He was saying goodbye to the past. After today, he had to forget that woman, whether what he felt for her was love or hate. Adele hid in the corner, her breathing growing heavier. Her eyes felt hot. A bitter ache rose into her nose and throat, and before she could stop herself, she spoke up, "You never heard of bigamy? Or you're just not afraid?" "Who's there?" Landon's eyes snapped open, his sharp gaze cutting toward the sound. But by then, there was no one in the room. Only a faint, lingering fragrance remained. After fleeing from the room, Adele quickly changed into her gown and slipped back among the guests. She pinched the hem of her dress, trying to calm the panic clawing at her insides. Even she didn't know why she had said that thing to Landon. Suddenly, a heavy object hit the floor upstairs, followed by an angry female voice. "Is this how your team doing job? How can you not even notice someone got into my room?" The security team leader retorted, "Ms. Carnegie, that's unfair to us. With all of us here, not even a fly could get through. You better have proof. Did you lose something or have footage?" Rosalie was at a loss for words. She couldn't admit someone had touched the safe she'd been hiding. Seeing her tongue-tied, the leader scoffed, All my Direwolf members are top-notch. If anyone wanted to sneak past us, it'd take our captain to do it." Direwolf Security was a world-class international team. Every assignment was carefully screened. The vice-captain, Derek Holt, tapped his leg impatiently, muttering inwardly, 'If the captain hadn't insisted on taking this wedding gig, why would I be stuck here getting pushed around?' Adele felt guilty. She whispered in her mind, 'Derek, I made you take the fall this once. Forgive me.' Rosalie didn't dare offend Derek. Direwolf Security had been politely requested by the Vanderbilt family. She didn't dare offend anyone from that team, even a random member, not to mention the captain, a near-legend who never showed their face. She didn't want to be dragged into trouble without knowing the reason someday. Besides, Derek was a 6'3" hulking brute, who never spoke nicely. His fists alone were enough to intimidate anyone. If he got pissed, Rosalie wouldn't be able to handle him. Thus, she timidly said, "Don't be angry, sir. I messed up. I spoke out of turn. Don't take it to heart." Derek felt disgusted. Even that polite apology implied their security had been sloppy. Just as he was about to retort, a message came through his earpiece. "What's up?" asked Dereck. "Derek, the wedding is canceled. We can leave." "Got it." Derek's face broke into a grin. Since the wedding was cancelled, he didn't have to put up with the people here. He turned and started walking off. "Where are you going, sir? The wedding is not over yet," Rosalie called out. "It's canceled. Don't you know? Aren't you the bride?" Derek shouted, loud enough for guests downstairs to hear. Adele looked down, hid her smile, and quietly drifted with the crowd out of the hall. With the wedding canceled, the guests began leaving. Rosalie was anxious. She thought, 'I've waited three years and am finally supposed to marry Lannny. How can the wedding be canceled?' She ran frantically to the study and pushed the door open. "Lanny, they said the wedding is canceled. What's going on?" Landon frowned at her. "I told you, you're not allowed in the study." He slammed the search report down on the desk. Rosalie clenched her fists, feeling heartbroken. She whined, "Lanny, I'm about to become your wife. Is there really somewhere in this house I'm not allowed to go?" "I canceled the wedding, and it's postponed indefinitely. You'd better not throw around the word wife." Landon shot her a cold gaze, and the impatience on his face made Rosalie tremble. She knew she had pushed too far, so she put on a pitiful look. "I'm sorry, Lanny. I was too impatient. You know, I love you too much. Ever since that night three years ago, I've known I belong to you. "I've been looking forward to today's wedding for so long. Can you at least tell me why you canceled it?" Landon pressed his lips together. After that drunken night three years ago, he remembered nothing. When he woke up the next morning, Rosalie was lying naked beside him, and what had happened had seemed obvious. Every time Rosalie brought it up, he reminded himself again that he had to take responsibility for her. Landon replied, "There's new information about Adele, so the wedding has to be delayed. Rosalie, I don't need to report my decisions to you. This is the last time I'll explain myself. If you still want to marry me, then wait." He deliberately ignored the relief in his heart and gave the reason in a calm voice. "Sure, I understand." Rosalie lowered her head, looking like she was about to cry. Inside, though, a storm had already exploded. She fumed inwardly, 'Isn't Adele dead? Three years ago, I used the two brats to threaten her and finally drove her to her death. She even left a suicide note. How could she still be alive?' Thinking of the safe that had been moved, Rosalie suddenly felt something was wrong. She forced down her panic and only showed a weak smile. Her slightly red eyes made her look hurt and unsteady, painting her as a woman deeply in love but still trying to stay strong. Landon's guilt toward her deepened a little more. But the moment Rosalie turned away, the fragile look vanished from her face, replaced by a vicious glare. She thought, 'Adele, you'd better be dead.' The departing guests were secretly snickering and whispering among themselves. "The Carnegie family really made a fool of themselves this time." "You should've seen Quincy's face. It looked scary dark. Even those side chicks around him didn't dare get close, afraid he'd use them as punching bags." "New money has no class. Bringing his mistresses to his daughter's wedding? I can't tell if he's brainless or if he just looks down on Rosalie. Well, she's only an adopted daughter." "Help! Someone fell into the water!" someone cried out from afar. Adele had been listening to the gossip, but when she heard the shout, she frowned and looked over. Then she saw two kids struggling in the swimming pool. "Theo! Milo!" Her eyes widened as she madly ran toward them. Chapter 6 The Kids' Complaint Before anyone could react, a graceful figure dove into the water and pulled the two boys up with shocking speed. Adele almost forgot how to breathe. Only after she gathered Theo and Milo into her arms did she realize her brain was starved of air. Black spots swam across her vision. The pool water was freezing. Even an adult could barely stand it, let alone two kids. Her lips turned pale, and her body shook out of her control. The icy water seemed to drain every bit of strength from her. She used everything she had to push the two boys onto the shore, but then her own body gave out. She slipped downward, and the water swallowed her head again. At the last second, a hand caught her. The grip was so strong that, even through the haze, Adele felt sure her arm would bruise. When that hand hauled her onto the shore, she finally gasped hard, her chest rising and falling. Oxygen brought her mind back, and with it came rage. "Theo, Milo, why would you jump into the water on such a cold day?" Adele roared, hugging the two boys tightly in lingering fear. If she'd been slower, the two boys would be in real danger. The boys still hadn't recovered when they were pulled into a warm, soft embrace. Theo stared up in a daze at the anxious, terrified face above him. Then he suddenly burst into sobs. "Mommy, we didn't. She pushed us." Theo's broken, messy crying made everything clear. Adele looked at Milo. The quiet, introverted boy was clutching her clothes, tears silently sliding down his face. He was obviously scared and sad, but he didn't dare make a sound. Adele knew exactly who the person Theo had mentioned. Her face turned icy as she looked toward the woman standing prettily by the pool. She cursed in her heart, 'Rosalie, you deserve to die.' Adele's eyes reddened with fury. She was one breath away from rushing over, grabbing Rosalie by the throat, and making her pay for hurting Theo and Milo. Then, a large coat fell over her shoulders, stopping her movements. A dangerously handsome man bent slightly and whispered in her ear, "Careful, boss. Don't get yourself exposed." The words carried two meanings. Adele instantly calmed down. She glanced at her soaked dress clinging to her body, revealing every curve, then looked at Rosalie's thoughtful expression. Her heart tightened. She thought, 'Now isn't the time to blow my cover.' Rosalie sneered inwardly, but on the outside, she looked frightened and fragile. She cooed to the man who gave his coat to Adele, "Dorian, why are you helping an outsider? Didn't you see the way she glared at me? I'm so scared." The man was Dorian Carnegie, the rightful heir of the Carnegie family. He reluctantly stepped away from Adele and pretended they didn't know each other. But he didn't fall for Rosalie's act either. His face was full of disgust and impatience as he shot back, "Mind your tone. Can you not act like we're close? After the Fairbairn family fell, you stuck yourself to the Carnegie family. You're nothing but a tool for an arranged marriage. Do you really believe you're my sister?" "Watch your mouth, kid." Quincy Carnegie, a portly man, chided casually, his tone carrying no anger. One of his arms was draped around an influencer, a beautiful girl around Rosalie's age. He tossed the comment off casually, then turned back to flirt with his companion. Dorian snorted but didn't care. He had lost his mother when he was little, and his father Quincy always had women around him. Counting all the illegitimate kids wouldn't even fit on one hand. Rosalie, a scheming girl conveniently delivered to them, had never mattered to Dorian or Quincy. To them, Rosalie was only worth keeping if she brought them benefit. If not, neither of them would care about her. Rosalie understood their attitude, but before she married Landon, her only backing was the Carnegie family. Suppressing her disgust, she sidled up to Quincy and spoke in a soft voice, "Dad, don't worry. The wedding will go smoothly." "OK," Quincy replied casually. Rosalie shot Adele a venomous glare and thought, 'Of course I pushed the two little brats into the pool. The reason is simple. The first one to save them is definitely their mother.' Coupled with Landon abruptly canceling the wedding and her room having been broken into, Rosalie was almost certain the plain-faced woman was Adele. Having gotten the answer she wanted, Rosalie was about to send people away and plan her next move when someone interrupted. "This is our family business. You may be excused." Landon's cold words and icy expression sent a shiver through the guests. No one dared cross Landon. His ruthlessness was legendary. Orphaned young, he had single-handedly run the Vanderbilt family. In business, he was unstoppable, nearly a flawless workaholic. He never listened to anyone's explanations. Offend him, and there was no coming back. The guests wore awkward smiles and left immediately. Soon, the villa was empty. Rosalie rushed forward, pretending to sob. "Lanny, I was so scared. The kids wouldn't listen and went to the pool. I couldn't stop them. I'm not their real mother. No matter how well I treat them, I don't get any respect." Quincy chimed in, "Yeah, Landon, kids only listen to their parents. The two little brats make trouble every day. When you and Rosalie get married, she's going to suffer. I can't stand it." Landon frowned, his cold eyes sweeping toward the two kids in Adele's arms. The silent reproach made the kids shiver in fear. Adele's anger instantly surged. She shouted, "Wow, Mr. Vanderbilt, this is unbelievable. You don't even care about the kids' safety. And you judge your own children just because of some comments from an outsider? You're really a good father, huh?" Landon recognized her instantly. This was already the second time this woman had questioned his ability to take care of the kids. He noticed her eyes were red, and her face was pale. Only the flush of anger gave her a trace of color. Her frail body wrapped in a large man's coat made her look even more vulnerable. For some reason, anger flared in Landon's chest. He snapped, "Ma'am, how I raise my children is none of your business. Please stop sticking your nose where it doesn't belong." "Domestic violence isn't a family matter," Adele said with a sneer. She opened her arms, letting Landon see the two boys' faces clearly. Their face contained emotions like fear, panic, humiliation, and anger. Adele stared straight into Landon's eyes and said each word clearly, "First, you don't care about their safety. Second, you don't listen to their side. Third, you don't trust them. Fourth, you don't love them. "Do you know this is emotional abuse? Do you know the easiest way to break a kid is to falsely blame them when they're young? Look into their eyes. Do you still think you did nothing wrong?" Her voice grew louder and heavier with every word, until it was thick with tears. Those clear words stabbed straight into Landon's heart. He knew he had neglected the two boys. When the family doctor said Theo showed signs of bipolar disorder and Milo showed signs of autism, he had brought in the world's best child medical professors to examine them. After that, he had left them with nannies and Rosalie, then buried himself in work again. When Rosalie told him the boys were fine, just naughty and disobedient, he had only felt disappointed. But when he met the fear in his sons' eyes, he felt a deep sting in his chest. Only then did he realize he had ignored them for far too long. A sharp pain rose in his heart. Almost without thinking, he crouched down and moved closer to the boys. He said in a gentle tone, "Theo, Milo, tell Daddy what happened, okay?" But the two kids kept shrinking back. Seeing their reaction, Landon froze in place. He watched helplessly as they hid themselves in Adele's arms. For the first time, the powerful CEO who always handled everything with brutal speed didn't know what to do. Rosalie saw the scene of the two adults and two kids together, and panic suddenly hit her. She hurried forward to pull the boys away and said, "Come here, sweeties." Theo looked at Rosalie's hand gripping his arm. Suddenly, a fierce look flashed across his face. He struggled violently out of Adele's arms and used all his strength to shove Rosalie into the pool before anyone could react. Rosalie fell into the freezing water and screamed in a mess. "What are you doing?" Landon barked, reaching for Theo. "Landon!" Adele shouted. She pulled the boys tightly into her arms like a lioness protecting her cubs. Landon's arm hung in the air. After a long moment, he slowly lowered it. Taking a deep breath, he asked in the gentlest voice he could manage, "Theo, tell Daddy. Why did you push Rosalie?" Adele wore a fierce look and didn't let him come close to the boys. But when she looked down, her expression softened completely. She encouraged Theo to tell the truth. Leaning in her arms, Theo finally seemed to feel a little safe. He no longer looked fierce and wild like before. He looked like a kid again, young and vulnerable. His hands gripped Adele tightly as he glanced at Landon, as if testing whether he was dangerous. Landon stayed still, his face calm and gentle. Theo looked at Landon for a while and then started to cry. It was the kind of crying that broke people's hearts. He pressed his lips together and clenched his teeth. He tried to hold his tears back, but he was too hurt to do that. Tears streamed down his face beyond his control. For the first time, he poured out his pain to his father. "She pushed us into the water. We weren't playing. She's always bullying Milo and me. Daddy, you never listen to me. She keeps hurting us." Chapter 7 Be The Private Tutor Theo almost cried his eyes out. No one could imagine how heartbroken he was. His sobs were full of helplessness, and Landon felt that he could barely breathe. He opened his lips, but all he could manage was an apology. "I'm sorry, Theo. Daddy will listen now. Come here." Landon reached out with both hands to comfort Theo, but his arms closed on empty air. Theo wouldn't let him hold him. "Mr. Vanderbilt, give them some time to calm down. Is the doctor here yet?" Adele asked, holding Theo and Milo close in her arms. Landon instantly frowned. His stern gaze shifted to Rosalie, who had just climbed out of the pool. Rosalie froze and then rushed to explain, "Lanny, I..." When she'd thrown the two boys into the pool, calling a doctor hadn't even crossed her mind. One look at her panicked face told Landon she hadn't called for help. Then he looked at the kids and Adele sitting on the ground, all of them shivering hard in the cold wind, and anger surged up in him. "Rosalie, is this how you take care of my sons?" Landon shouted. For the first time, he regretted trusting her with them. Rosalie could tell he was truly angry. She was so flustered that she couldn't even get an explanation out. Bob hurried over and reported, "Mr. Vanderbilt, the family doctor isn't there. I..." Adele cut him off. Though she was still trembling all over, her voice was full of worry. "We can't wait. Their body temperature still hasn't come back up. They'll spike a fever like this. I'll take them to get medicine." Without even looking at Landon, she forced herself to pick up both boys. Two boys at their age weren't light, especially when Adele had also been soaked in the icy pool water. She barely had any strength left. The moment she stood, she stumbled. Landon reached out on instinct and caught her by her slim waist. The icy touch made him jolt. He thought in surprise, 'She's freezing cold.' Adele steadied herself with his help. Milo suddenly began to sob in a tiny voice. "No... No..." Landon pressed his lips together and withdrew the hand from Adele's waist. He clenched his fists, keeping that cold, damp feeling trapped in his palm. Soon, Milo stopped crying. Adele noticed the boys' reaction. She said nothing, only gave Landon a disappointed, mocking look before quickly heading toward the medical room. Dorian let out a scoff and followed after them, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Mr. Vanderbilt, you really should thank her for taking care of your sons. After all, the kids won't even let you touch them." Landon couldn't even shoot back at that. The two kids resisted him so badly that all he could do was watch others take them away. Then he turned back to Rosalie. His eyes were cold enough to freeze, but anger burned beneath them. Rosalie was soaked from head to toe, her white dress clinging tightly to her thin body. She wrapped her arms around herself, not daring to say another word. She knew very well that explaining now would only make Landon hate her even more. So she forced herself to meet his gaze, trying to show him how sincerely sorry she was. Quincy's eyes, squinted almost shut from his fat, darted side to side. He sensed trouble fast. His heavy hand slapped Rosalie hard across the face. Quincy's face burned with anger as he roared, "How the hell are you taking care of Landon's kids? Falling into the pool? Their real mom is dead, and you haven't even married Landon yet. Even if you're busy, you've gotta watch them. Maybe you should stop working. You're always busy. You can't even look after the kids." Rosalie cried out in pain, feeling humiliated, but she understood Quincy's tactic. Quincy hit her first, and Landon wouldn't say much. She hid her face in her hands, tears falling, and pretended to be scared, inching toward Landon. She mumbled, "Lanny, it's all my fault. I won't work anymore. I'll take care of the kids. I can give up everything." Landon frowned upon hearing that. He caught the sadness behind her words but forced himself to swallow his anger. Meanwhile, Quincy kept shouting, his twisted face making his fat, ugly features even scarier. Landon couldn't stand seeing Quincy hit Rosalie anymore. His voice went cold and commanding. "Enough. Shut up." Those few words carried enough weight to make Quincy immediately quiet, and Rosalie didn't dare cry again. Landon didn't say anything. The kids' health came first. If anything happened to his sons, he'd make the Carnegie family pay. ***** In the medical room, Adele looked down at the tiny hands clutching her clothes. Theo and Milo had finally fallen asleep after taking their medicine, but they still held on, refusing to let her go. "Boss, you want me to spill the tea on this drama?" Dorian lounged against the window, his charming eyes lazily fixed on Adele. Adele glanced at him and shook her head. "No, not yet." She had her own plan. Soon or later, she'd have the Carnegie family pay the price. No one knew that the Carnegie family's eldest son, the rightful heir Dorian, who usually came off as a playboy, had a whole other side. He was a blogger named Rumor Radar on X. The account Rumor Radar had appeared three years ago. His first post exposed a supposedly perfect middle-aged movie star cheating, sending the internet into a frenzy. From then on, every post was a bombshell. He would spill everything, fearless of power. For three years, he barely ever dropped off trending lists. Gossip-hungry fans checked his feed every day. They enjoyed the dramas in the entertainment world a lot. And the gossip drew massive traffic. Some people wondered, 'With so much insider info, isn't the blogger scared of the forces behind these leaks? He's never been silenced. How powerful is his backing?' Speculations ran wild. People guessed that the blogger had government ties or might be a billionaire, even a foreign spy. Thinking of all the guesses, Dorian smirked. "Who'd guess all the insider info I have comes from you? Even those trying to shut me up, you shut them down. "You even cover the operating costs. You've protected me so well. Are you expecting me to pay you back in kind?" He leaned close to Adele and lowered his voice deliberately, every word dripping with magnetic charm. Any woman would get lost in the warmth and danger of it. Adele was the exception, though. She tilted her head and said with open disgust, "Back off. Talk like a normal person." The charming playboy almost never struck out, yet he actually hit a wall today. He rubbed his nose awkwardly and was about to step back. Right then, Landon pushed the door open and saw the two of them standing far too close. Adele was caught in Dorian's shadow. The two kids were sleeping soundly, and the sunlight fell just right. The warm, peaceful scene stung Landon's eyes. He blurted out, "What, you hooked up with Dorian already?" Adele pushed Dorian aside and turned back calmly. "Mr. Vanderbilt, stop paying so much attention to me. What does it have to do with you? You'd be better off watching your kids." Landon choked on his words and realized how strange he was acting. He had always been cold and unapproachable, yet whenever he faced this woman, he stopped acting like himself. Just then, the family doctor arrived. After checking the two boys, she said, "The boys are physically fine, but their psychology is very complicated. Mr. Vanderbilt, I still suggest you arrange for someone they can accept to stay with them. Otherwise..." The adults stepped out of the medical room. Landon clenched his fists uneasily. Adele frowned as well. She wanted to take care of the two boys, but right now, she had no ties to them. She had no right to step in. Landon looked at her profile and suddenly said, "Would you be Theo and Milo's private tutor? Name your price." Adele was startled.

Where the ad sends people

fqwebsite.novellairs.com

😍🔥🔞Read now to see what happens next👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻

Adele Vanderbilt had been full of joy, only for one sentence from her husband, Landon Vanderbilt, to shove her straight into hell. "Is Evelina really my biological daughter?"