Mayor Morton had completely collapsed.The other side knew too much—so much that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t clear his name.The elderly villagers had no idea who this young man was.They didn’t even dare to guess.But as they stared at the small military aircrafts and the off-road vehicles parked not far away, their hands trembled.To be able to mobilize such forces—Just what level of power was this?!And this kind of person… was that girl’s boyfriend?!The Morton family had even tried to abduct her?!The villagers were terrified.And the Morton family—they were regretting everything.Especially Jessica.Her mind was buzzing, unable to process what she had just witnessed—her own brother being taken away.She had thought that girl was just some naïve, small-town student, easy to manipulate.A little money, a little coaxing, some force if necessary—and she’d break her in.That’s what Grace had told her too—Said the girl was nothing like Mia.That Mia was now a wealthy yo
Hearing this, Amelia paused, her fingers lightly twirling the purple jade pendant.At the same time, Edgar turned to look at her, his mouth slightly open.If that was the case… then his second sister…Amelia didn’t need to guess what her elder brother was thinking.She frowned slightly and said, “I was switched at birth, not trafficked.”According to that couple, that was the truth.But their words were obviously unreliable.Amelia didn’t bother explaining further.She had no feelings toward the girl the Cromwell family had been raising.Her brother had once said it was because the girl looked too much like Miss Amelia.Cromwell when she was younger.So, the Cromwell family showered her with love.To Amelia, this felt like nothing more than a substitute story.Not being able to find a lost child was understandable.Back then, the internet wasn’t widespread, facial recognition technology was nonexistent, DNA sampling wasn’t common, and even the household registration system was lax, esp
Amelia’s memory was astonishingly sharp. It was as if she still had the layout of Yellow Mountain Village mapped out in her mind.“That family was heavily poisoned by me. They shouldn’t be in the village anymore—they’re probably heading somewhere for treatment. I suggest splitting into two teams and checking the county hospital.”Carl listened quietly, never interrupting.Amelia looked at him seriously. “Bring that couple to me. I have questions for them.”Carl rolled his prayer beads between his fingers, wasting no words. “Alright.”This was exactly why Amelia liked dealing with him.He was always calm and easy to be around.Never asking unnecessary questions—just helping her.Edgar wanted to say something but didn’t know where to start.Was his second sister really switched at birth?He still remembered the first time he met her.Back then, he truly believed she was Miss Amelia Cromwell.If she hadn’t denied it herself…And if that couple hadn’t provided some extra clues…Edgar migh
Amelia was also thinking about her own origins.She couldn’t remember anything.She had little memory to begin with.Trying to recall her childhood only left her with a blank slate.But things couldn’t be that dramatic, could they?Could she really be the seventh miss of the Cromwell family?Heh.Probably not. She didn’t look like the adopted daughter of the Cromwell family.Either way, she would wait for Grace to explain everything properly…In the distance, Carl watched the scene unfold, his gaze deepening.It might not be an appropriate comparison, but he couldn’t help but think—if he had been the one she rescued from that cellar, how different would things be?If they had escaped that desolate village together, their bond would surely be different.Perhaps even she hadn’t realized it herself—there was something indescribable in her feelings toward Benjamin.Carl stood against the wind, his Adam’s apple shifting slightly, the coldness around him growing heavier.James dared not ste
The county hospital doctor made it clear—they couldn’t cure this poison.Mr. Cromwell wailed beside them, crying and shouting, “You people just look down on us villagers! You refuse to treat us!”His shameless display, with his head still wrapped in gauze, showed he had no intention of reasoning.Many villagers had come along, all standing on his side.With the way things were escalating, the doctors were genuinely afraid someone might get hurt.“I don’t care! You must detoxify my eldest grandson!”Mr. Cromwell’s eyes were bloodshot as he lunged to grab a young nurse!The nurse’s face turned pale with fear.Luckily, at that moment, several plainclothes officers entered through the main doors and immediately tackled him to the ground!Mr. Cromwell continued to struggle, shouting, “What are you doing? Let me go!”The surrounding villagers saw this and rushed forward to help.That’s when Frank finally stepped in.“I’d like to see who dares to move!”“Mr. Anderson?!”Mr. Cromwell’s arroga
When questioning the couple, Edgar did not enter the room.Grace already knew him.If he were present, she might become even more defiant and never tell the truth.Indeed, Grace was cunning. When Benjamin mentioned the word “trafficking,” she quickly shifted her stance.“We were just middlemen,” she said, eyes darting. “Some people want children, some have too many and want to sell. We just made the connections, never stole anyone’s child.”Benjamin’s eyes turned ice-cold.“So your son’s life isn’t worth much either, then?”With that, he glanced to the side.“Mr. Anderson, it seems you’re not very useful either.”Frank broke into a cold sweat.He yanked Nathan by the arm.“The Morton family is finished! And your wife is still refusing to tell the truth? Do you want your entire family to be locked up for life?!”Nathan trembled violently.With a loud slap, he struck Grace across the face.“Tell the truth!”He couldn’t believe he had married such a foolish woman—still playing games at a
He suppressed the excitement surging in his heart.Cross-referencing their lies with their true motives, and observing their deliberate concealment now—An answer emerged.One that seemed impossible yet made perfect sense!He suddenly pushed open the door and spoke the guess weighing on his heart:“You didn’t accidentally switch babies with the Milton family. You deliberately exchanged the trafficked child because you didn’t like her! You never had a daughter at all!”Grace’s face changed drastically the moment she saw him.Wasn’t this the family of that cursed girl?!They knew each other?!Edgar didn’t waste time beating around the bush.“You deliberately misled me, making me question the Milton family. But how could the Milton family possibly know that you never gave birth? They would only assume my second sister was the daughter of some rural couple who stole their daughter’s life. They would never tell me the truth, which meant—no matter what—I would get the wrong answer!”“The se
For so many years, all they wanted was to find their little sister as soon as possible.Yet, they had to be cautious about revealing the Cromwell family’s name.Too many people wanted to impersonate the Cromwell family's lost daughter.Driven by greed, exposing her identity would only put her in greater danger.They had hired countless private investigators, and every time, they were met with the same grim response—little chance of survival.He and his sixth brother refused to believe it.So, they built a secret base, filling it with photographs of their little sister.Every year, they celebrated her birthday there, imagining what she would look like when she grew up.And now—Benjamin had finally seen her.And she was even better than he and his sixth brother had imagined!Joy overwhelmed him as he tried to stand up.His eyes shone with excitement.“I’m going to see my little sister right now! I’ll tell her—I’m her Fifth Brother!”“Young Master.”Edgar grabbed him, lowering his voice
Back then, she and the lady of the Jenkins family had dominated the entire New York elite circle.And now, someone who looked just like her had returned.Before, when they saw Abby, they thought she somewhat resembled how the Miss Amelia had looked as a child.But now… there was no comparison.Their aura couldn’t be more different.This was what a true the Cromwell family heir should be like.No one questioned if she was real anymore.Instead, they couldn’t take their eyes off her.From the moment she entered the estate to when she walked into the study, she carried herself with grace and confidence, her features strikingly refined.Amelia hadn’t expected that her mere appearance would immediately win over the household staff.But she had bigger concerns—like how much poison had already accumulated in her grandfather’s system.—The study doors swung open.Mr. Cromwell immediately stood up, his face breaking into an uncontrollable smile.“Amelia! Come, let Grandpa see you! Are you col
Damon nodded. “So sudden—it’s hard for anyone to accept.”Rowan had a different view. “Bro, the Cromwell family was just sponsoring an orphan’s education. So many orphans saw them as family—should the Cromwell family adopt them all? Now that their biological daughter is back, Amelia should leave on her own.”“Shut up,” Spencer muttered through clenched teeth.Damon tried to mediate. “The whole thing is strange. If they really found her, why was there no news at all? Could she be fake?”“What news do you expect? They picked her up from the mountains, and she probably doesn’t even know how to read.” Spencer’s expression was indifferent, but his tone was filled with disdain. “Who knows what she even looks like? The the Cromwell family probably has to teach her etiquette first before making an announcement—otherwise, who would accept her?”Damon stroked his chin. “Then compared to Abby, she really is worlds apart.”“She’s not even worthy of being compared to Abby.” Spencer sneered.Rowan
Inside the study, Mr. Cromwell remained seated, listening to the voice message from Amelia.She was telling him not to get angry.He didn’t even bother opening the door.Instead, he raised his voice:“If you don’t make me angry, I’ll be fine! Let me warn you—if you still want to call yourself Mr. Cromwell, then get lost!”Zane stepped forward anxiously. “Dad, I’m just worried about your health!”“Worry about your brain first.” Mr. Cromwell slammed his dragon-headed cane on the floor, lowering his voice. “Get out.”Zane clenched his fists.He didn’t understand why his father had never valued him.In the old man’s eyes, he was always a failure.Zane turned slightly. “Fine, I’ll leave. But at least leave a doctor with you.”Mr. Cromwell ignored him.Zane left, humiliated.Even now, he hadn’t told his wife that Amelia had been found.He didn’t know how to break it to her.He worried it would trigger her illness.And why was Father so adamant about sending Abby away?It felt like a direct
Secretary Frank hid nothing from Amelia.He reported every entry and item brought into the room in full detail.“Yesterday, the Cromwell family’s sponsored student, Miss Abby, wanted to bring soup to the chairman.”Amelia raised an eyebrow. “Soup?”“Yes. She has been delivering it regularly, starting at the company.”Amelia’s voice remained calm. “It wasn’t the soup. Grandpa probably didn’t drink it.”“Indeed, he didn’t.” Secretary Frank continued, “I didn’t allow her in. After that, only the chef and Mr. Cromwell entered.”Amelia’s gaze darkened. “Mr. Cromwell?”“Your father.” Secretary Frank’s tone held undisguised reluctance. “The chairman and Mr. Cromwell argued.”Amelia fell into thought before finally saying, “Secretary Frank, please prepare some traditional medicine. Stay with Grandpa. Until I arrive, do not let him see anyone, including Mr. Cromwell.”She had deliberately called him Mr. Cromwell.Secretary Frank immediately understood her stance—she had no intention of acknowl
Zane still wanted to argue, but Mr. Cromwell was so furious that he could hardly breathe.The moment someone tried to help him, he started coughing violently.Zane had never intended to push his father to this extent—he only wanted to reason with him.But then, Mr. Cromwell coughed up a mouthful of blood.The dark red stain splattered onto Zane’s shirt.He panicked.“Dad! What’s wrong?! Dad!”“Leave.” Mr. Cromwell gasped for air.Just then, Secretary Frank rushed in.“Mr. Cromwell! It’s a call from Miss Amelia! She’s already on the New York-Frank Expressway—she’ll arrive in the city by this afternoon! Would you like to—Mr. Cromwell?!”The excitement on Secretary Frank’s face instantly vanished when he saw Mr. Cromwell’s condition.His voice turned frantic.Mr. Cromwell barely managed to catch his breath. “Amelia is calling? Hurry, hurry, give me the phone!”“Chairman, your health—” Secretary Frank hesitated.Amelia could hear the conversation from the other end. Her brows furrowed.“G
At the same time.Cromwell Family Villa.Aunt Ashford placed a bowl of silver ear soup by Abby’s bedside. “Miss, you should eat something. I looked into it—she’s nothing but a wild village girl.”“She was found in River County.” Aunt Ashford’s tone was full of disdain. “That kind of impoverished place could never produce someone decent. Miss, you have nothing to worry about. You were raised with the utmost care and refinement—you’re leagues above her.”Hearing this, Abby finally peeked out from under the covers and mumbled, “Emma, it’s fine to say that here in my room, but don’t go spreading it outside. After all, she’s the real daughter of the Cromwell family.”“She may be the Cromwell family’s real daughter, but compared to you, she’s worlds apart! Why shouldn’t we speak the truth? She’s just flaunting her background.” Seeing that Miss was finally willing to speak, Aunt Ashford felt relieved.“Just wait and see. Even if she enters the Cromwell family, she won’t be able to enjoy the
When she first returned to town, she was in an utterly miserable state.Her son and daughter-in-law had drained her dry, squeezing every last bit out of her.The whole neighborhood had been furious just watching.Later, even her son and daughter-in-law stopped coming around.She had no pension or welfare and survived solely by running a small massage shop.Yet, despite her hardships, Victoria was kind-hearted—she barely had enough for herself but never took advantage of others.And she even took in a young apprentice.Now, that very apprentice—her granddaughter—had managed to expand the business all the way to New York!Not a single person wasn’t happy for them.Emma and Granny Oak stood by Victoria’s side, reluctant to part. “Milton, you must come back often. When the mulberries ripen next year, we’ll make mulberry cakes together.”“I will, I will,” Victoria said, patting their hands affectionately.Meanwhile, Amelia was also surrounded by people, including many of the elders from th
Meanwhile, Abby bit her lip, lowering her gaze to hide the hatred in her eyes.Why? Why did Grandpa wait until now to say this?Did he ever consider her situation?Zane was too caught up in his thoughts to notice.This sudden revelation was overwhelming.But Abby?She was only thinking one thing—Who exactly is the real Cromwell heiress? And if she’s coming back… what will happen to me?That night, at the Cromwell family villa.Aunt Ashford had never seen Miss so furious before.Even her most cherished rose-patterned vase was shattered into pieces on the floor.Aunt Ashford hesitated at the door, wanting to console her, but she was afraid.Miss had gone to the Cromwell family estate, but why did she come back like a completely different person?She didn’t understand, and there was no one she could ask.Even Mr. Cromwell hadn’t returned with her—wasn’t he supposed to discuss the adoption?Aunt Ashford grew uneasy and decided to find out what had happened.Having worked in the Cromwell f
The only reason he had stopped them earlier was because Abby was not a Cromwell.This subtle rejection made Abby’s face turn pale as she stared daggers at Secretary Frank.Secretary Frank couldn’t care less—he was already being pressured to resign. Did they think he wouldn’t push back?Zane frowned. “Secretary Frank, Abby will be part of the Cromwell family soon. You should be more mindful of your attitude.”“Yes,” Secretary Frank responded mildly, adjusting his glasses. “Once Miss Abby officially becomes part of the Cromwell family, I will be mindful of my attitude.”Zane narrowed his eyes.But he decided to let it go.Convincing his father to agree to the adoption was more important than arguing with a secretary.That night.Cromwell Family Estate, Study Room.Mr. Cromwell was happily placing online orders.His precious Amelia was coming home—the house couldn’t remain so lifeless!Especially her room—it had to be decorated perfectly!As he cheerfully spent money, his son and grandso