Chapter 1497


    “Don’t be rude, N!” Kasey swiftly reached for her daughter.


    “Hey!” N rested her head on Lena’s shoulder, “I really like my aunt!”


    “Haha!” Harold ced his ss down. “I must admit, they do look like aunt and niece. Both beautiful. I


    hope N inherits Ms. Harding’s calm charisma in the future.”


    Lena blushed. “You’re very kind, sir.”


    “N kept telling me how pretty her aunt is. I thought—”


    Elijah coughed, interrupting Harold.


    Kasey realized what was happening and quickly signaled her father.


    Lena, however, remained oblivious, unsure of what they were discussing.


    “What did you think?”


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Harold’s smile froze, and he changed the topic. “Well, I still have one more campaign to handle. It


    would be wonderful to have an exceptional student representative.”


    Elijah promptly agreed. “Absolutely. There are a few students I’ve noticed. They’re quite talented. With


    the opportunities they’re getting now, they’ll have sessful futures.”


    “Is Alexander one of them?” Harold asked.


    “Without a doubt!” Elijah confirmed.


    Lena’s hand, clutching her fork, trembled. “Wait, you guys know Alexander? Is he… any good?”


    Oblivious to her distress, Elijah continued. “Alexander is sharp. I’ve spoken to him during my school


    visits. He’s very responsible. Although… he carries an air of maturity about him, as if he’s had to grow


    up quickly due to a challenging life.”


    “He’s only 11 or 12, right?” Kasey asked. “Yet he appears much younger, around eight or nine.


    Malnutrition—it’s truly heartbreaking.”


    Kasey then said, “What’s troubling you, Lena? Please, eat more.”


    Lena nodded, attempting to calm her racing thoughts.


    Elijah whispered to her, “Hey, this hotel may be only four stars, but it offers many specialty dishes the


    Hamerton Group Hotelcks!”


    She mustered a smile and helped herself to a slice of cake.


    –


    After they bid farewell, Lena intended to leave on her own.


    But as she reached the hotel’s entrance, she spotted someone not far away. She was stunned, her


    mind nk.


    Time had aged the man further, yet it hadn’t erased the darkness that clung to him.


    In shock, she took two steps back, her ears seemingly deaf to the world’s sounds, her heartbeat the


    only audible thing.


    Drake…


    It was Drake.


    She nearly screamed.


    Staggering, she tried to follow him, but he had already entered the hotel. She stared at the spot where


    he vanished, her knees trembling. She retreated and leaned against the wall, her breath heavy.


    Hadn’t she left the vige far behind? Hadn’t she severed ties with her past when that ne took off?


    Why wouldn’t this man release her?


    She took deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down. At that moment, she had a chilling thought about


    Alexander.


    Could it be that…


    Alexander was Leo, and Drake had orchestrated his arrival in Centrolis? Was he trying to ruin her life?


    She hugged herself tightly and sank to the ground in agony beside the road. The sun zed overhead,


    but she shivered as she clung to herself.