Meanwhile.
Anna followed the figure to a secluded field, cornering the person in ck who had no escape. With her eyes narrowed, sheunched a powerful blow towards the person''s back, her strike swift and fierce.
The wind from her palm cut through the opposing breeze, but the person in ck sidestepped, easily neutralizing her attack and sending Anna flying several feet away.
Despite the aggressive move, it was clear the person in ck had no intention of injuring Anna. Otherwise, the chase wouldn''t have been a series of defensive moves.
With her brows furrowed but curiosity in her eyes, Anna noted the person used the same techniques she did, and their strength surpassed hers.
She couldn''t believe there was someone else so simr to "her."
She had to see who this person was with her own eyes.
Launching another attack, Anna put her all into it, forcing the person in ck to counter with significant force. However, she suddenly pulled back, causing her opponent to pause, but it was toote to withdraw their strength entirely. Fortunately, they shifted their aim at thest moment, sparing Anna a direct hit to the chest.
Still, Anna''s face paled momentarily.
The person in ck was visibly shocked, unable to believe they had hurt someone.
Anna, clutching her chest, emotionally asked, "Is it really you?"
Without a word, the figure merely gave her a deep look before attempting to leave.
As Anna tried to follow, her injuries held her back, and she copsed to the ground.
Years of longing and anguish came to a head, and she cried out hoarsely to the departing figure, "Mom!"
The person in ck froze in their tracks.
Tears welling in her eyes, Anna voiced her pain, "You left me alone in Havenwood all those years ago. Are you going to leave me behind again?"
The figure halted, sighed deeply, and removed their hood, revealing a face strikingly simr to Anna''s.
It was Daphne, presumed lost in an ident years ago.
With tenderness in her eyes, she approached her daughter, "It''s me, pumpkin."
Anna couldn''t hold back any longer.
That nickname was what her mom used to call her when she was little. Just hearing it made her instinctively look back, hoping it was her.
Tears streamed down as she embraced the person in front of her. "Mom, I''ve missed you so much."
She had gambled on the slim hope that this person was the one she yearned for.
And her gamble paid off.
Daphne''s eyes reddened as she helped Anna up, concerned, "Are you hurt? I didn''t mean to hit you so hard."
Anna shook her head vigorously, pain forgotten in the moment.
Daphne smiled wryly, "How did you recognize me?"
Anna, eyes still brimming with tears, said, "I saw the mole on your hand at the mall."
That was what made her follow.
Indeed, there was a small, inconspicuous mole on the back of Daphne''s hand, barely noticeable unless closely examined.
Anna took a deep breath, not wanting to blink for fear her mother might vanish.
Daphne sighed softly, "I''m not going anywhere."
Anna nodded, her heart swelling with happiness.
Ever since Karen appeared, Anna harbored a hope in her heart, wondering if her mother, like Karen, had faked her death to deceive their enemies and might one day return. And now, that day hade.
Wanting to lighten the mood, Anna wiped away her tears and changed the subject. "Mom, what happened to you all these years? Why show up now?"
Daphne touched her daughter''s face, "Let''s not talk about that now. You''re hurt; let''s get you to the hospital."
Vivienne received Anna''s message the next morning, asking to meet at a secluded private hospital and requested shee alone.
Feeling something significant must have happened, Vivienne shared her concerns with Percival, who insisted on apanying her. "I''ll go with you."
Vivienne shook her head, trusting Anna''s request for privacy must mean she had important reasons. If it was a trap, she was even more determined to go. Anna''s safety was paramount. Percival, not entirely convinced, drove her to the hospital, where he and Leopold waited outside, ready to intervene if necessary.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.
After their recent engagement,
Leopold was over the moon but
couldn''t help but worry when Vivienne stepped out of the car. He quickly reminded her, "Vivienne, everything is set. Just give the word, and we''ll storm in."
Thomas had been called back to duty, reminding Leopold of the importance of his job and future responsibilities, including supporting a family.
Vivienne, sensing Leopold''s
continued guilt over inadvertently
revealing their engagement to thei colleagues and the resulting chaos, simply gave him a look that spoke volumes before heading into the hospital.
Leopold, left behind,mented to Percival about Vivienne''s apparent anger, hoping for some support in making amends.
Percival, with a mix of amusement and annoyance, made it clear his loyaltiesy with Vivienne, leaving Leopold to navigate his own way out of the doghouse.
On his first day back at work, did he
forget to check his horoscope or something? It seemed like fate had decided to y a double whammy on him. Could his slight frame withstand such a barrage?
Outside a hospital room on the third floor.
Vivienne knocked on the door, found it ajar, and pushed it open.
Anna, lying in the hospital bed, called out, "Vivienne, you''re here."
As Vivienne entered and saw Anna in her hospital gown, she frowned, "What happened?"
Anna, mustering her strength to sit up, was pale but spirited, "I''m okay..."
"Why are you sitting up?"
A gentle voice echoed from the bathroom.
A smile yed on Anna''s lips as she introduced, "Mom,e here. This is Vivienne, Karen''s daughter."
Then, to Vivienne, she added, "Vivienne, my mom''s back."
Vivienne, seeing the woman before her, suddenly recalled a photo she''d seen at the Vanguard Agency.
Sasha and Daphne, both in uniform, stood side by side with the Vanguard Agency''s g waving behind them.
The woman before her ovepped with the one in the photo.
It was her.
The former deputy leader of the Vanguard Agency, Daphne.