Chapter 31

hapter 31

Lold and his companions were meeting Belinda for the first time, so there was a sense of unfamiliarity in the air. Sensing Belinda’s unease, they didn’t linger and left the space for Lily and Belinda to talk privately.

Once Loid and the others had left, Belinda reached out and took Lily’s hand, her face filled with affection. “How have you been doing there? Have you gotten used to it?”

“I’m fine,” Lily replied, casually picking up an apple and peeling it slowly.

However, her eyes remained downcast, and her expression was devoid of any emotion.

Belinda patted her hand and sighed softly: “I know you don’t like your mother, and I don’t either. But she’s still your biological mother. There are some things you just have to let FOOL”

Lily remained silent, quietly peeling the apple.

“Have you made arrangements for school? Belinda asked, sensing Lily’s reluctance to discuss the topic further.

“Yes.” Lily nodded. “Ember Creek High School.”

“That’s a good school study hard when you get there. I don’t want to interfere with your life. I just think that getting a high school diploma will be better for you in the future,” Belinda pursed her lips and said.

Belinda knew that Lily had been intelligent since she was a child. Despite always doing strange and unusual things and rarely speaking her mind, Lily had completed the 12th- grade curriculum by the time she was in elementary school.

Having taught herself medicine, Lily possessed medical skills that even surpassed those of highly respected doctors.

Belinda believed Lily’s exceptional intelligence had robbed her of the carefree joys of childhood, which was why she wanted Lily to attend high school and earn a high school diploma.

At least then, people wouldn’t look down on her for not having a formal education.

Lily looked up at Belinda while she was holding the apple. She pursed her red lips as she asked, “You once said that my father disappeared after coming to Lagersfield?”

Afrown creased Belinda’s face. “Why are you asking about this all of a sudden?”

י

“It’s nothing,” Lily replied nonchalantly. “I just know he left before I was even born. If the lanew I was here in this world, would he

“He wouldn’t!” Belinda Interrupted her sternly. “Your father has been missing for so many years. I’ve already considered the worst. Lily, don’t mention your father again. Just focus on your studies and don’t worry about anything else.”

Lily met Belinda’s gaze, her eyes deep and unwavering “Tunderstand,” she said.

Belinda watched Lily’s expression, hesitant to tell her what she had long known. She knew that Lily was secretly searching for her father. Lily might not have said anything, but this matter was a constant weight on her heart.

She was too smart to believe her father’s disappearance was without cause, Belinda longed to tell Lily the truth, but the weight of unspoken secrets kept her tongue–ried. A heavy silence descended upon the ward

After munching on an apple, drowsiness washed over Belinda, and she drifted off to sleep.

Lily set down the knife and walked over to the window. Tucking her hands into her pockets for warmth, she gazrd out at the murky sky, her clear eyes wincing slightly against the

cold

Her agreement to accompany Susan to Lagersfield wasn’t solely driven by her desire to investigate Jason’s death or fulfill her grandmother’s wish to attend school. Her primary motivation was to uncover the truth behind her father’s mysterious disappearance all those years ago.

Lily had retrieved the police station’s dispatch records. A careful search revealed no reports of kidnappings or accidental deaths during that time period.

The police closed the case after a mere two days of investigation. They offered no explanation, simply stating in the file that her father had traveled alone to Lagersfield before his disappentance.

However, her own investigation revealed that her father wasn’t alone but was accompanied by others.

Despite repeated attempts to question her grandmother, her lips remained sealed.