Meredith felt conflicted. She didn’t know whether to hope that Darcy DuMont was her biological father or to wish it was all a misunderstanding. Her heart ached for her mother, who had suffered so much in life.


    Terrence Sterling took Meredith’s hand and said, “Let’s go back to the hotel and wait for Mr. DuMont’s response.” He also wanted to uncover the truth.


    …


    Darcy DuMont and Lady Catherine returned home to find Lady Via already waiting.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    “Darcy, Catherine,” Lady Via greeted them.


    Catherine knew why Via hade. She quickly said, “Via, I have something for you. Come with me to my room.”


    Knowing that the truth would eventuallye out, Catherine still wanted to dy that day as long as possible. Via looked at Darcy DuMont, eager to ask about the pocket watch, but Catherine grabbed her hand and led her upstairs with a smile. “Come on, it’s your favorite ruby ne. I’ll show it to you.”


    Via loved gemstones and collecting them. Hearing this, she followed Catherine.


    In the room, Via asked, “Catherine, where’s the ruby ne?”


    “Here it is,” Catherine said, taking it from the cab and handing it to Via with a smile. “We’ve known each other for so many years. If I have something good, I always keep it for you. See if you like it.”


    “Wow, it’s perfect,” Via eximed with delight as she opened the box. “I love it! But Catherine, are you giving this to me because you need something?”


    Catherine replied, “I need your help with the pocket watch matter. Please don’t mention it in front of your brother. So many years have passed; if he hasn’t remembered the past, let’s not disrupt the present bnce.”


    Via shook her head knowingly and smiled. “Catherine, I knew it was about this. Do you recognize the woman in the photo inside the pocket watch? You were the one who brought my brother back from Auroraville back then. You know best what happened there. Now that the pocket watch is in that girl’s hands… could she be…”


    Via gasped as she realized her suspicion. “Oh my God.”


    Seeing Via’s exaggerated expression, Catherine knew she couldn’t hide the truth any longer. “She is your brother’s daughter.”


    “That’s my brother’s bloodline; we can’t let her be out there,” Via insisted. “Sister-inw, you can’t do this.”


    “I have no choice. Your brother hasn’t remembered his past. If a daughter suddenly appears, do you think he can ept it? Tomorrow is the royal wedding; I don’t want any disruptions.”


    Catherine held Via’s hand tightly. “Via, my dear sister, please keep this secret.”


    Via hesitated but finally relented after ncing at the ruby ne. “Alright, I won’t tell my brother unless he remembers something himself.”


    Catherine smiled slightly. “This ruby ne is yours now.”


    …


    Darcy DuMont returned to his study and took out the pocket watch he had borrowed from Meredith.


    Opening the watch and seeing the photo inside shocked him.


    The young man in the photo looked too much like Lucien DuMont, but the woman beside him was Meredith’s mother. This meant that the young man wasn’t Lucien DuMont because Lucien hadn’t been born yet at that time.


    Although Darcy had forgotten what happened in Auroraville, he knew what he looked like before his stic surgery.


    He didn’t remember taking a photo with this woman, but if the man in the photo wasn’t Lucien DuMont, then it had to be him.


    It was a photo of him and Meredith’s mother.


    When did he meet Meredith’s mother? What was their rtionship?


    Initially shocked by the photo, Darcy began recalling fragments of memories as he stared at it. The woman in the picture seemed familiar and caused an ache in his heart.


    Darcy was a romantic person who believed in fate and feelings. He was known as someone deeply affectionate yet not promiscuous within the royal family.


    His head throbbed painfully as he gripped the pocket watch tightly. More memories surfaced in his mind-scenes of him with the young woman in the photo.


    Darcy clutched his head in agony as tears welled up in his eyes. The final image that lingered was of the woman giving birth to a beautiful daughter and their family embracing each other.


    Sitting motionless on the sofa, Darcy found himself crying without realizing it.


    Why did he have these memories?


    “Darcy,” Catherine called as she entered with a smile that froze upon seeing his tear-streaked face. “Darcy, what’s wrong?”


    Slowly standing up, Darcy handed her the pocket watch and said seriously, “I may not remember everything clearly, but I am sure that I am Meredith’s father. Please tell me what happened in Auroraville.”