Chapter 1441


    Maja rubbed her temples, her own disbelief mirrored in her actions.


    "I''m not kidding. This morning, Juliet called me into the study to discuss something, but we’d barely


    started talking when her teacup almost slipped from her grasp. I helped her catch it, and when I


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    touched her hand. It felt like she was wearing gloves made to look like aged skin, but her face was real.


    It must cost a lot to make someone''s face look exactly like Juliet''s, so much so that the rest of the body


    can''t keep up. That''s why for the hands, they resorted to using gloves made to look like weathered


    skin. Ian, do you get what I''m saying? These two people, they might be in their fifties."


    "People in their fifties don''t have the same skin as someone in their seventies."


    Maja''s heart raced as she spoke, remembering the immense self-control she had to summon in the


    study.


    "They must have undergone some professional training, specifically to rece the old couple. And


    what makes me even more sure of my theory is how they treated me."


    She paused, collecting her thoughts, before asking Beck, "Beck, you know about the whole Arlene


    situation that isn''t really about our mom, right? Did you already know?"


    Beck''s pupils tightened sharply, and he forced a resigned smile.


    "I had no clue."


    Maja figured that meant Ian hadn''t told him yet.


    She recapped the situation with Cynthia and Arlene, then continued with her own discoveries.


    "Beck, can you tell me what you remember about our grandparents?"


    "They were strict. Everyone in the Sanders family had to fall in line, and if anyone made a mistake,


    there was no coddling. Everyone faced the consequences."


    "Do you think then, such shrewd and stern elders would really be oblivious to Cynthia marrying into the


    Sanders family? When I was talking to Juliet this morning, I got the impression they knew but chose to


    overlook it. They broke their own rules. But when they faced me, they demanded that I change my


    blood and even get rid of my own child."


    "Beck, the guy from the Sanders family who got involved with drugs faced a terrible fate, and he


    deserved it. Before Dad fell into aa, he disowned Dn from the Sanders family, and that was


    Dn''s own doing. But Dad liked Cynthia, and that wasn''t his fault. So, I guess, the old couple did


    indeed have faith and were decisive, yet they turned a blind eye to Dad''s choice. They weren''t


    heartless. So these two imitators, with their ruthless demeanor towards me, they''re fakes. Our real


    grandparents have disappeared."


    Maja lifted her hand, examining her fingertips, her expression serene.


    "I remember too well the sensation of touching skin that wasn''t human."


    Ian, standing behind her, slowly moved his fingers, pressing gently on her shoulder.


    "Maja, you are so clever."


    His affirmation implied his belief in her.


    Maja was surprised. After all, the notion that the Sanders family’s elders had been reced was


    astounding.


    "You believe me?"


    Ian rested his chin on her shoulder, his lips curving into a smile.


    "Because I''ve had the same suspicion. If the elders knew Cynthia was the one marrying in, and they


    could turn a blind eye to Augus, how could they be so heartless as to ask you to abort your child? The


    fact that there''s still information about the elders online, portraying them as influential figures who


    wouldn''t tolerate major transgressions from their children, only proves they had principles. So I believe


    you. Rx, and it''s all good now. Don''t worry."


    Only then did Maja breathe a sigh of relief and turn to face Beck, who sat opposite her.


    Beck’s face was a swirl ofplex emotions.


    After a long while, he managed to say, "We need to inform Dn about this. The grandparents have a


    lot of clout in the Sanders family. He should know what to do."


    Even if Dn had fallen from grace, he had been the heir to the Sanders family for years,manding


    respect and undoubtedly had some skills.


    If not for Judith, his life would have continued to shine brightly.


    Beck immediately called him, and after a few seconds of contemtion, the voice on the line said, "I''ll


    seek help from the royal connections. You and Maja stay at Ian''s ce for now."