"Gracie, are you sure you won’t accept this card?"
"Once you return to your birth parents' home, it won't be as easy for you to get money. I heard your birth parents live in a remote mountain and struggle to make ends meet..."
At the Taylor Residence, Adrian Taylor's pitiful gaze fell on the indifferent girl before him.
Who could have imagined the child he raised for almost 18 years would turn out not to be his biological daughter?
If it hadn’t been that their blood types didn't match when Gracie offered to donate her blood to him after his accident two months ago, they wouldn't have found out they were not biologically related.
No wonder that Grace had always been distant and cold to them. It turned out that she was not one of their own!
Fortunately, he managed to locate his biological daughter through a series of twists and turns after recovery.
He wanted to give Grace a place to settle down, but who would have imagined her birth parents to be in such a hurry to pick her up?
According to the information he received, Grace's birth parents were from Yellow Jade Village, located within the poorest mountainous region in Ceren.
With a sigh, Adrian insisted on Grace taking the card. "Gracie, take it. It isn't much for us. We're all family, and I don't want you to have a hard time in the future."
When she returns to her birth parents, it might be a problem for her to have enough food and drinks to get by, not to mention having extra money to spend.
The girl standing before his eyes was known as Grace. She was dressed simply in ordinary sportswear, a cap, and a no-logo backpack. There was nothing spectacular about the outfit.
Yet, her face was stunning. Her facial features were beautiful, and her clear eyes carried a hint of coldness, giving her an unapproachable aura.
Faced with Adrian's persuasion, she responded with a glance, her voice calm and devoid of emotions. "Thanks but no thanks."
"Ungrateful b*tch!"
Standing by the side, Elaine Howard could no longer hold it in. She stepped forward, took the card away, and stuffed it into her pockets. "Don't give it to her. She can act all high and mighty as she likes. Just let her be. So long as she doesn't come back crying and begging for money!"
At the thought of how her biological daughter had been suffering while her fake daughter was living a luxurious life in the wealthiest, most prestigious family of Lake City, Elaine was fuming and loathed Grace.
"Mom, calm down. She might just be upset because she can't bear to leave you. Don't hold it against her. She must be feeling terrible inside..." The one who had spoken was the true daughter of the Taylors, who had recently returned to the Taylor Family, Hanna Taylor.
She had eavesdropped on her parents' conversation long enough to know that Grace's biological parents were not only living in the slums but also had five sons, with Grace being the sixth child in line.
With five older brothers waiting to get married and a sick grandmother waiting for treatment, Grace was bound to suffer once she returned to her family!
Deep down, Hanna snickered in delight, but she maintained a sensible and gentle outlook. "Grace, our parents love you. Please don't do anything to hurt them."
"Good girl. You're the best." Elaine patted the back of Hanna’s hand, not forgetting to continue lashing out at Grace. "Unlike some ungrateful girls who just don't grow close!"
"Enough. Don't say that. Gracie is our daughter too." Seeing Elaine going too far, Adrian couldn't help but interject.
All he received was a cold snort from Elaine.
Adrian heaved another helpless sigh as he turned to eye Grace in embarrassment, only to see Grace being calm as if she regarded Elaine as invisible.
He couldn't help but sigh once more. Indeed, they had never grown close.
"If that's all, I'll take my leave." Grace gave a slight nod to Adrian and the others before turning and decisively walking out of the living room.
"Grace!" Hanna's eyes glinted slyly as she turned to the Taylor couple and explained, "Dad, Mom, let me walk Grace out!"
With that, she ran after Grace and stopped Grace in her tracks.
Grace’s steps came to a halt as her eyes squinted warily.
Hanna felt her scalp numb in inexplicable uneasiness, but she felt smug at the thought of Grace's situation.
She faked her sincerity on purpose as she reminded Grace, "Grace, remember to contact me when you get there. Mom bought me the latest phone, and it has great reception, so I think I'd be able to receive your calls."
Grace stared at her without saying a word.
Not getting the desired response to her bragging, Hanna, feeling dissatisfied, bit her lip before continuing, "By the way, when I get engaged to Easton, will you return to attend our wedding?"
"Although Easton used to be your fiancé, he treats me well and promises to take care of me for the rest of our lives. I'm beyond grateful that you gave up such a good man for me."
"It’s just that, will you be mad at me for getting engaged to Easton, Grace?"
Hanna blinked her pitiful eyes at Grace, not bothering to hide the pride emitting from the depths of her gaze.
After all, the Barnes and Taylor families had a marriage agreement; Easton had always been Grace's fiancé.
As the rightful daughter of the family had returned, Grace, the imposter, was not only going to be kicked out, but her outstanding fiancé dumped her as well.
Grace was doomed since she lost everyone to rely on.
Just as Hanna was getting excited at the thought, Grace, who had been staring at her, burst out laughing.
Her hearty laughter could brighten up the skies.
With a smirk, she began to slowly say, "I've been pondering how I should dispose of the trash in the waste recycling bin. I didn't expect you to take him in."
"Thank you for helping me deal with the garbage!"
Hanna's smile froze, and she was stunned, rooted to the spot as if she had been struck by lightning.
Trash... Waste recycling bin...
Each adjective was like a knife stabbing her straight in the heart.
Just as she was about to throw a fit, she saw the Taylor couple walking toward them. All at once, she turned red-eyed and pitiful. "Grace, how could you say that to me..."
"Grace!" Elaine walked over to witness her precious daughter being bullied into tears.
Seething, she questioned, "Why are you bullying your sister again? Can't you leave in peace?"
Grace turned to hook her lips at Elaine. "It's of no consequence whether I leave you in peace. It's more important for you to go to the hospital and have your eyes checked."
Perhaps having her brain checked was a better idea.
Else, how could she be fooled by Hanna's lame tricks?
"You...!" Elaine could feel the blood rushing to her head.
"Mom, calm down. Grace must not have meant to anger you on purpose."
Hanna continued, "It's all my fault. I was worried Grace wouldn't accept Dad's card. Since she will suffer a lot after she leaves, I came after her to give her the bracelet my parents gifted me."
"After all, the bracelet is quite valuable. Grace can exchange it for quite a hefty sum of money, but I accidentally lost the bracelet, and I couldn't find it anywhere..."
Bracelet?
Grace’s eyebrows quirked, knowing that the b*tch had come up with a new trick.
Sure enough, Hanna reached out to apologetically grab her hand. "Grace, don't get mad. I'll send it to you as soon as I find it..."
Grace stepped back and avoided her touch.
Somehow, Hanna managed to touch her bag.
To everyone’s bewilderment, a silver bracelet dropped out of her bag.
The scene stunned everyone.
In disbelief, Hanna had a hand covering her mouth as she gasped, "Why is the bracelet with you?"
