Novalie looked at therge bag of fruits in front of her,and then at the person sitting quietly across from her. She seemed to have thought of something.


    “Dr. Osteen, is there anything that brings you joy recently?”


    Novalie was smart. That was a reminder.


    “There’s indeed a joyful affair.” Xanthus was quick-witted to know what she was talking about. He answered her while giving her a quick checkup.


    Novalie hummed a reply. Then, she looked at Xanthus and asked, “I don’t know what it is, but do you mind sharing it with me?”


    “Of course. You see, my younger sister went missing a few years back. This younger sister is my parents’ favorite child. When my mother was pregnant, she was taken great care of, so you can see how much importance they ce on my sister. I was also moved and couldn’t wait to see herwhen I was young.”


    “But an ident took my sister away. I’ve been trying to find her ever since. After so many years, I finally found her. Isn’t it something to be d about?”


    Novalie was smart enough to understand the underlying meaning behind his words. Xanthus was hinting at Raeleigh, she thought.


    Novaliecast a nce at Raeleigh, wholoweredher head. Since Xanthus had not left yet, it was hard for her to exin.


    “If that’s the case, then it’s indeed a joyous affair. We should celebrate.”Novaliesmiled. Xanthus nced at Raeleigh and replied, “But my younger sister has been sensible and well-behaved since she was young. She’s also cautious. She still doesn’t trust me although I have a blood sampleparison with her DNA, and it proves that we’re highly matched, which meets the standard that indicates that we’re biological siblings of the same parents.”


    Novalieanswered with a knowing expression, “Then, your sister is indeed a fool.”


    Raeleigh raised her gaze and nced at Novalie.“Let me wash some fruits.”


    Raeleigh walked over and took out some apples and grapes. Then, sheimmediately left the room.


    “Slow down and be careful. You’re a mother-to-be, yet you’re still walking in a flurry.No one is chasing after you.”


    Raeleigh closed the door and left in a hurry.


    Xanthus’ expression grew more worried and he frowned as he stared at the door.


    Novalie noticed all of that and was quite satisfied.


    Xanthus looked atNovaliefor a while. Then, he continued to check on her and talked to her.


    Novaliesaid, “Raeleigh is fantastic in every aspect, but she experienced too many things when she was a child, so she can’t let it go.”Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    “In fact, there’s nothing wrong with Raeleigh. Although I was pleasantly surprised when I first saw Raeleigh, I don’t like her overly calm aura and that she matured too soon. She should live a life that suits her age.”


    Xanthus retrieved the stethoscope and looked atNovalie.


    Novalienced at the door. “What do you mean?”


    “It’s not aint but it’s the guilt talking. I’ve met Deanna from the Whalen family. With all due respect, our family isparable to Rayan’s, and we’re better off than them. Although I’m a doctor, my family is prestigious and admirable.”


    “IfRaeleigh had not been kidnapped, then she would still be a child and would not have matured so soon. I could also take care of her and watch her grow like how Zorion witnessed Deanna’s growth. Of course… I won’t let Raeleigh turn out to be like Deanna, who’s not independent and doesn’t even know how to tell right from wrong.”


    “However, I will not let Raeleigh carry such a burden.”


    “I always feel that the world in her heart is burdensome, and that kind of heaviness suffocates her.”


    “Since you’re telling me all this,areyou ming me for not taking good care ofRaeleigh? I’m just an olddy who’s a beggar…”


    “No, no… Please don’t misunderstand me. To me, you’re like Mother Theresa, who saved us from hardship. You’re our great benefactor. I’ll never be able to repay you even if I spend the rest of my life doing so. I absolutely didn’t mean to belittle you.”


    “Although I grew up abroad and received foreign education, I’m still a citizen of this country, andI studied the culture of Tambend. My father’s expectations of me are also too great. I know that we should repay other people’s kindness. You did a great favor for our Osteen family. How can I not be grateful?”


    Novalielooked at Xanthus and responded, “You have a way with words.”


    “You misunderstood me. I’m just telling the truth, but Raeleigh’s character is too calm and restrained, and she’s not even impetuous. Sometimes I feel distressed when I look at her. I should havee earlier.”


    Novaliesighed and said, “Everything is predestined. I used to…”


    Novaliepondered for a moment before she continued, “That’s enough. Let’s talk about it when you’re morefortable with each other in the future.”


    “Alright.” While Xanthus was talking toNovalie, Raeleigh came in from the outside with a fruit tray in her hands. She set the fruit tray on the table and invitedNovalie and Xanthus to taste them.


    Novalieand Xanthus talked for a whilebeforeXanthus got up to leave. Raeleigh sent him to the door. Xanthus looked at Raeleigh and remindedher.“You always seem to be rushing around. Others will worry about you. Don’t always be so panicky in the future.”


    Raeleigh stood at the door and looked at Xanthus, andthen at Stuartstanding by her side. Stuart hurriedly lowered his head and pretended as if he had not heard it.


    If Mr. Jepherson were tolearn about that, thennew problems would arise.


    After Xanthus left, Raeleigh looked at Stuart and asked, “When will Jepherson return?”


    “I don’t know. He ordered for me to return here. He has something to deal with,” Stuart answered. Raeleigh did not know where he had gone. Perhaps, he was looking for Deanna.


    Raeleigh turned around and entered the house. As she walked, she asked Stuart, “Is there any news about Deanna?”


    “Not yet. Mr. Santiago has been looking for her, but he hasn’t found her yet.” Stuart lowered his head. He did not know what was going on, but they almost dug up the whole city, yet they still could not find her, and they did not know why.


    Raeleigh resumed sitting on the couch. All of that happened so suddenly that everyone could not ept it.


    Meanwhile, at the Whalen family residence.


    Zorion got out of bed,feeling slightly dizzy. He wasn’t wearing any clothes, and he raised his hand as he rubbed his temples. What was happening?


    Why was his head hurting so much?


    Aftering back to his senses, Zorion looked at the person next to him and was stunned to see a girl sleeping on the bed.


    Reaching forward, Zorion pulled the quilt to take a look at the person under the nket.


    The person’s face was covered, but the outline…


    Zorion frowned and was reminded of what had happened the previous night. He lifted the hair off the sleeping person’s face. When he saw her face, he was dumbstruck for a moment before he withdrew his hand.


    He turned around, lifted the quilt, and got off the bed, grabbing his robes, and putting it on. He tied a knot and walked to the door.


    The door opened. Zorion looked at the torn clothes on the ground and turned to look at the person slowly waking up on the bed. She sat up and grasped the quilt with both hands to cover her body.


    Their eyes met. Zorion seemed to have witnessed the miserable scene of Deanna being assaulted once again as he walkedto the door and closed it once more.