Chapter 45: Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Rupert sat in his office , utterly stunned .

He vaguely remembered this incident , yet the reality was completely opposite to his memory .

Not only had Elysia not destroyed Torin’s test admission ticket , but she had protected it .

Meanwhile , Rowena …

Rupert thought , ‘ How could she have been so childish ? Even if Torin couldn’t attend university , I would never entrust the company to a woman- especially one who wasn’t even my … biological daughter .

‘

That thought startled Rupert .

‘ Wait , haven’t I always regarded Rowena as my own daughter ? Why am I thinking like this now ? ‘

As Rupert wrestled with this question , there was a knock at the office door .

Before he could respond , the door swung open , and a saccharine , delicate voice called out :

“ Honey , I brought you lunch ! ” The voice sent a shiver down Rupert’s spine .

It was his wife , Althea .

“ Honey , what’s going on with you , Torin , and Fenwick today ? I spent all morning cooking your favorite dishes , but none of you picked up your phones .

“ Are you all treating me like an outsider now , keeping things from me ? ”

Rupert suddenly remembered how cold he’d been toward Althea since watching Elysia’s memories the previous day .

No wonder she had come all the way here .

It was wrong of him to let his thoughts wander .

Standing quickly , he wrapped his arms tightly around the frail woman before him and said soothingly , “ It’s my fault .

I’m sorry , honey .

Let’s go home and eat together , Okay ? ”

But Althea wasn’t so easily appeased .

She squirmed in his arms , pouting playfully as she whined , “ And what about Torin and Fenwick ? Caellan’s busy preparing for the Scholastic Assessment Test , and Rowena … Rowena’s situation is … Anyway , no one wants to have a meal with me lately .

It’s like you’re all keeping secrets from me .

”

Her words turned into soft sobs , her voice eerily similar to Rowena’s when she cried .

However , the upward tilt of her gaze carried a seductive charm that was uniquely hers .

Rupert’s heart softened immediately .

The guilt he’d been feeling for Elysia was quickly overshadowed by thoughts of Rowena , lying injured in the hospital .

He decided to come clean , telling Althea everything .

The moment Althea heard the words “ memory live – stream ,” and more specifically , “ Elysia’s memories ,” her entire body froze .

It was as if her blood had turned to ice , and her thoughts spiraled into chaos .

It wasn’t until Rupert called her name several times that she snapped out of it .

Forcing a stiff smile , she asked in a trembling voice , “ Wh … where are the memories now ? ”

Rupert narrowed his eyes slightly , finding her reaction odd .

After all these years of marriage , it was the first time he had seen such a mix of shock , anxiety , and Fear

“ Honey ? Did you think of something ? ” Rupert asked .

Althea’s heart skipped a beat , and she cursed inwardly .

Damn it .

Quickly donning a pitiful expression , she nestled into his chest and whimpered , “ I’m just worried about the foolish things Elysia might have done .

And , well … back then I … ”

Uncertain of how far the broadcast had progressed , Althea didn’t dare say much .

Instead , she wept, knowing her tears would evoke Rupert’s sympathy .

As expected , Rupert’s suspicions melted away instantly .

He comforted her gently .

“ The memories are only up to when Elysia was fourteen , just starting school … I understand that you felt insecure when she was brought back into the family .

”

“ But you really should pay more attention to Rowena .

We’ve spoiled her rotten .

Cutting up Torin’s test admission ticket was bad enough , but framing Elysia for it ? It’s caused so much misunderstanding over the years .

”

Althea’s heart raced as her forced smile stiffened .

Thankfully , Rupert hadn’t mentioned her involvement , allowing her to breathe a small sigh of relief .

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Chapter 45

‘ I need to get to the hospital and warn Rowena immediately .

If the live – stream continues , we’re done for , ‘ she thought .

The live – stream cut abruptly .

Before Torin could rise to find Stellan , the scene shifted to a school setting , giving him no time to dwell on his guilt .

Reluctantly , he sat back down .

Torin didn’t want to miss another moment of Elysia’s life – one he had been absent from for twenty years .

Slowly , he vowed , he would learn everything about the sister he had forgotten and make it up to her in the best way possible .

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