Aveline replied, “No need.”She picked up the utensils and began to eat. After nearly a day and a night without food, she was starving and no longer cared about the way he was watching her, almost obsessively. Lucas sat by the side of her bed, his gaze fixed intently on her. He seemed so mesmerized that he reached out to touch her face.”What are you doing?” Aveline immediately dodged his touch, eyeing him warily.Lucas’ hand froze in mid-air. “Your hair fell in your face. I thought it might get in the way while you’re eating, so I was just going to help you tuck it back.”Aveline reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear. “I can do it myself.”Lucas smiled faintly. “You’re very capable.”Aveline gave him a look. What was wrong with this man?Ignoring him, she focused on finishing her meal. Once she was done, she asked, “How’s the orphanage?”Lucas shrugged. “How would I know?”It wasn’t his concern.Aveline paused, then asked, “Have you found out who started the fire?”Hearing this, Lucas looked at her seriously and said, “Are you asking for my help?”Aveline fell silent. Asking for his help would certainly come with a cost. His intentions were all too clear.She sighed, then nodded. “Yes, I’m asking for your help to look into it. I suspect this whole thing was aimed at me.”A faint smile curved Lucas’ lips. “You’re half right. They were also after Hilda.””What?” Aveline was surprised. “The people who wanted to take Hilda away started the fire?””Exactly,” Lucas confirmed. “The warehouse was smashed up, and everything inside was torn apart.”Aveline’s eyes lowered thoughtfully. After a moment, she looked back up at him and asked, “Lucas, you already knew who did it, didn’t you?” Lucas didn’t answer immediately; he just looked at her intently. “There’s something I want to know, and I haven’t gotten my answer yet.” Aveline gripped the blanket, her voice steady as she asked, “Who?”Who were her real parents?”Are you sure you want to know now? It might not be in your best interest,” Lucas replied, frowning slightly.Aveline insisted, “This is my business. I believe I have the right to know. Whether I choose to acknowledge them or not is my decision to make.””Fair enough,” Lucas nodded, a hintof approval in his gaze. “Your biological parents are from the Cooper family in Larbor City. The person who’s been living under your identity is Juliet.” Upon hearing this, Aveline felt a strange sense of confirmation. She had suspected as much.There were signs she’d pieced together. It could only be Juliet; she was the one who knew Hilda well and had her unwavering trust from the start. Why had Hilda been so hostile toward her? It seemed clearshe either wanted to break her of drive her away. There was only one reason to prevent Aveline from being found by her real parents.If Juliet was behind this, it all made sense.Lucas watched her closely, noting the lack of surprise in her expression. He seemed to understand and said, “So, you’d already guessed.” Aveline gave a small smile. “Hilda made it pretty obvious. I’m not stupid; of course, I could figure it out.”Lucas asked, “What do you plan to do now?”Aveline replied, “I haven’t decided yet.” Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ (ƒ)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.She needed time to think. Shouldshe go and meet them? And there was the matter of the fire-was it set by someone from the Cooper family, or was it Juliet? She had to get to the bottom of it. Otherwise, how could she even consider a reunion? “Take your time,” Lucas said earnestly. “I’ll be here, by your side.”
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