"Sorry, I didn't mean to."
Elara bumped into someone. She quickly apologized.
"Not on purpose, these shoes are a limited edition, you got them dirty..."
Victoria raised her voice, ready to curse.
But as her gaze fell on Elara's face across from her, her mouth gaped wide, and half of her sentence got stuck in her throat.
A ghost!
Did she see a ghost?
Is this Elara?
Isn't she dead?
"Elara, you're not dead!"
Victoria's voice changed, she stared at Elara with a face full of fear and shock.
Elara also recognized the person, her lips pursed slightly.
"Of course I'm still alive, who told you I was dead?"
Encountered an old acquaintance!
Victoria, the daughter of her foster father.
Lived together for ten years.
Their feelings were lukewarm, not enough to speak of any sisterly affection.
"Weren't you supposed to have died in childbirth? I..."
Victoria's face turned pale, glaring at Elara without being able to continue.
"Really? I didn't notify you when I was giving birth, how did you know I died in childbirth?"
Elara's eyes fixed on Victoria's changing expression, she stepped closer, "Victoria, could it be that the ones who wanted me dead back then were you guys?"
Over all these years, whenever she had free time, she would think about it.
Back then she was only eighteen years old, still a naive girl unversed in the ways of the world.
She was amiable, never easily made enemies with people.
The one person who might bear a grudge against her was Victoria.
She remembered, Victoria had coveted her fiancé, Evan Miles.
When she was eighteen, she received a message from Evan, she had suspected it was sent by Victoria.
As long as she wasn't clean, Evan would break up with her.
But later, when Victoria didn't end up with Evan, she debunked that theory.
And now, seeing Victoria act as if she'd seen a ghost, made her have doubts again.
"Elara, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Victoria, as if bitten by a dog, raised her voice, "You were at least raised by Dad himself, even though we don't have blood ties, Dad always thinks of you. So of course he'd know when you have a child."
"And what about afterward? You haven't seen my body, how did you confirm I was dead?"
Elara's gaze fixed tightly on Victoria, pressing her step by step.
"Wasn't it the notification from the hospital saying you died in childbirth? Dad couldn't bear to see your tragic state, so he had the hospital cremate you directly."
Victoria gripped the handbag tightly, sweat beading on her forehead.
That damn girl, it really is her!
She's actually not dead!
That doctor fooled her back then!
Victoria anxiously fiddled with the quick strands of hair by her ear, "Since you're not dead, come back for dinner sometime. I've got other things, I must go!"
This is going to be a big problem!
What on earth should be done!
Victoria turned and left hurriedly.
"Mommy, who was that mean auntie? Did she bully you?"
Harry, who was playing in the amusement park, ran over with his little legs, looking at Elara nervously.
Elara snapped back to reality, bent down to rub his little head.
"Mommy's fine."
Not wanting her son to worry, Elara immediately changed the subject, "Wow, Harry, how did you get your clothes all wet? You'll catch a cold, how about we change into the new clothes just bought?"
"Uh, okay."
Harry looked at his dirty T-shirt, scratched his head.
That aunt probably bullied Mommy just now.
If he sees her again next time, he'll definitely stand up for Mommy!
Upstairs, in the restaurant.
This is a tastefully decorated revolving restaurant.
The window seats offer a clear view of the whole shopping mall.
Victoria absentmindedly walked to a table and sat down.
Across from her sat Damon Hawke and his son.
"Charlie didn't get his Lego? Didn't bring it back?"
Damon looked at Victoria, whose face didn't look so good, and frowned slightly.
"Huh? Sorry, I forgot, I'll go get it right away."
Victoria was stunned, only then did she remember she's supposed to fetch the toy for Dominic.
But suddenly encountering Elara, who has come back from the dead, made her so shocked she forgot.
"No need, let's eat first."
Damon's expression was mild, he tied the bib for the little guy beside him and passed him the cut steak.
Dominic said nothing, his little hands holding the knife and fork, quietly and elegantly eating the steak.
Big and small, their expressions alike, they looked particularly striking under the lights.
The Victoria across from them watched the father and son duo, their looks similarly charming, almond eyes glittered.
"Damon, Charlie is already so big, don't you think we should give him a complete family?"
Elara, that damn girl, has returned!
She must try her best to become the Hawke family's mistress!
Bam!
The sound of cutlery falling to the floor.
Victoria raised her eyes, only to see Dominic's little mouth tightly pursed, his jawline stretched taut.
Is this little thing silently protesting?
"Charlie, you're too stirred up by Mommy's words, right? I know, you've always wanted Daddy and Mommy to take care of you together, huh?"
Victoria pretended to be gentle, casting warning glances at the little guy.
Dominic just felt a tightness in his rear, as if he could sense the pain from the woman's fingers pinching him.
Not at all!
He didn't wish for her and Daddy to look after him all the time!
He didn't want it!
Dominic's gaze turned elsewhere.
With a glance, he saw at the bottom of the escalator, a pair of familiar figures catching his eye.
It was Aunt Charlotte and her son!
Dominic's eyes lit up, he swiftly slid off the chair, and ran forward with his little legs.
"Hey, Charlie, where are you going?"
Victoria was stunned, looked at the little guy running away, half angry, half furious.
The little thing actually opted to run in response to what she just asked?
How will she deal with him next!
Meanwhile, Damon was helping his son to pick up the fallen cutlery.
When he sat upright, the little guy was already gone.
Instantly, a handsome face was clouded.
"Ran off without a word again! Got guts now!"
Little guy's temperament is getting heated!
One word and he runs off?
Whom does this fiery temperament resemble?
"Mr. Hawke, young master..."
The nearby bodyguard was on high alert, seeking Damon's opinion.
"Go after him now!"
"..."
Downstairs.
Elara took her son, descending the elevator to the first floor.
At this moment, the phone ringing in her bag caught her attention.
Seeing it was Ryan calling personally, Elara pursed her lips quietly.
Her work stoppage today, Hawke Corporation would surely complain.
How would Ryan respond?
"Harry, wait for Mommy, let Mommy answer this call first."
"Alrighty."
Harry twisted the bottle in his hand and stood obediently in the corner.
A moment later, in front of him appeared a pair of white sneakers.
Harry blinked, looking up at the person.
Big black eyes, small red lips, tender white skin.
Even the clothes matched, white T-shirt and black pants.
Uh!
Is he looking at a mirror?