“Aunt!”


    Libby’s pupils dted in shock upon realizing her rtionship with Natalia.


    “What did you say? You are my… aunt?”


    She had never imagined having any rtives in this world. Since she could remember, Den had always told her:


    “You are an orphan with no parents. I couldn’t bear to see you starve on the streets, so I took you in.”


    For many years, Libby had never investigated her origins. To her, if her parents had chosen to abandon her, there was no point in seeking them out.


    Natalia nodded with tears in her eyes and choked out, “Yes, you are my cousin’s daughter, Libby. I even named you.”


    Hearing news about her biological parents for the first time, Libby’s long-sealed heart wavered slightly. She allowed her aunt to hold her shoulders and asked emotionally, “What were my parents like? Why did they abandon me back then?”


    Thinking about the life she had led all these years, Libby couldn’t help but clench her fists. It had been a dark and grim period filled with deceit and killing. Who wouldn’t want to grow up carefree and loved like Pearl?


    Natalia calcted in her mind. She had heard that Den had handed over the Cloud Hall to Libby. Libby had lived up to expectations and be a fearsome figure in the gang, even causing outsiders to tremble at the mention of her name. If the knife Den had personally honed ended up stabbing him, wouldn’t that be a satisfying revenge?


    Having made up her mind, Natalia exined, “Your father was the most likely candidate among the younger generation of the Cunningham family to take over as head of the family. Your mother was a typical well-breddy, knowledgeable and courteous. It’s my fault; if I hadn’t let a wolf into the house back then, Den wouldn’t have turned the Cunningham family upside down.”


    “At that time, the Cunningham family was in grave danger, with enemiesing to our door every day. In desperation, your father entrusted you to me. I was pregnant then and nned to take you to Fustroydor to hide.”


    However, an ident urred. Den somehow learned of her escape n and intercepted her at the dock with a team.


    “In the fight, you identally fell off a cliff. I thought you were dead and med myself for a long time. I also had a miscarriage on the spot and fainted, only to be taken back by Den. When I woke up, I was imprisoned in a dark dungeon for twenty years without seeing daylight!”


    Natalia sobbed uncontrobly as she grabbed Libby’s arm and pulled her into an embrace. “Libby, it’s all my fault! I’ve thought about you every moment for the past twenty years. Seeing you alive now is such a relief!”


    Hearing about her past, Libby’s hatred deepened. “Aunt, don’t cry. What about my parents? Are they still alive?”


    Natalia shook her head with a confused expression. “I don’t know. When I left, your father was still around; but your mother had always been frail and bedridden after giving birth to you.”


    Isted from the world for over twenty years, Natalia had lost contact with the Cunningham family long ago.


    Pearl felt a pang of regret upon learning that her mother had miscarried before giving birth to her. If that child had been born, whether a brother or sister, she wouldn’t have been so lonely.


    These were mistakes her father had made in the past. Pearl had no right to defend him but hoped that her mother and sister would give him a chance to atone.


    “Mommy, don’t cry. Whether Libby is Dad’s goddaughter or your niece, we are all family.”Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Hearing this, Natalia wiped her tears and smiled through her sadness. “Pearl is right; we are family. From now on, you two must support each other as sisters.”


    “Yes,” Pearl agreed readily.


    She recalled how she had shed with Libby recently and stuck out her tongue. Would Mommy be unhappy if she knew how much she disliked this cousin?


    Libby gave Pearl a meaningful look and smiled faintly. “Don’t worry, Aunt. I will take good care of Pearl.”


    “That’s good!”


    Natalia’s smile was gentle and beautiful despite being imprisoned for over twenty years; time hadn’t diminished her beauty.


    The next moment, her smile vanished, reced by an expressionless face.


    “Mommy, what’s wrong?”


    Noticing the change, Pearl curiously turned to follow her gaze.


    A man stood at the door in a well-fitted white suit with a matching gentleman’s hat and a cane. It was none other than Den.


    He arrived just in time to see the three women standing together,ughing and chatting-a scene he had only seen in his dreams. Happiness was always so fleeting; before he could say anything, the woman’s smile disappeared upon seeing him.


    That moment seemed like an illusion; the person filled with hatred before him was his reality.


    Den fell silent for a moment, gripping his cane tightly until his knuckles turned white. He shouldn’t have appeared…


    Pearl also noticed her father and softly called out “Daddy,” quickly ncing at her mother from the corner of her eye.


    Seeing no displeasure on her mother’s face, Pearl quietly sighed in relief. She feared that Daddy and Mommy would argue here; as their daughter, she didn’t know whom to side with.


    On the other hand, upon learning that Den was the one who caused her family’s ruin and left her an orphan, Libby felt no gratitude for his upbringing anymore.


    Before knowing the truth, she only wanted power; after knowing it, she wanted more than just power-she wanted his life!


    The once warm and joyful atmosphere in the hall changed with Den’s arrival. Pearl quickly shifted the topic.


    “Daddy, why are you back?”


    Her coquettish voice pleased Den. He affectionately tapped her nose with a finger.


    “You heartless girl, who do you think I’ve been working so hard for?”


    “For me! For me! Daddy is the best person in the world.”


    “Hmm, I came back to deliver an invitation.”


    With that, he handed Pearl an exquisite ck and gold invitation embossed with Jillian’s moon emblem.


    “What’s this?”


    She pouted and opened it.


    It read: “January 5th, Vimanmek Mansion Pce. We cordially invite esteemed guests.”