Chapter 151:

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“What do you mean?” Matt’s face darkened, and he clenched his jaw. It seemed like he had no idea about what was really happening in the family he was trying so desperately to protect. I understood his position—being part of the Foster family, he wanted to preserve its integrity. But unfortunately for him, the family had been fractured long ago.

I let out a sarcastic laugh. “Would you still want to help me if I told you your parents might be involved?”

He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. “What do you mean, Kelly?”

“Don’t try to help me without knowing what’s happening behind the scenes, Matt. You could end up destroying yourself.”

I walked past him, but he gripped my elbow tightly, holding me in place. “Just f*cking tell me what’s going on in this family, Kelly.”

“It’s for you to figure out,” I replied coldly, pulling my arm from his grasp. I entered the house fully, with Emily and Felicia following behind me.

“This is the study room, Miss Kelly. All the valuable items are kept here. This…” Felicia picked up a thick photo album, smiling as she handed it to me. “This album contains photos of your mom and her siblings during special occasions.”

I sat down on the couch as she handed me the album. Emily wandered around the room, examining the surroundings.

I ran my fingers over the thick cover of the photo album. It was clearly personalized, with the word “Foster” engraved on it. Part of me wanted to be part of this family, especially since I had lost my own, but they had rejected me. So, I had no choice but to accept the distance.

“Felicia…” I said, my voice calm but tinged with sadness. “Can you tell me about this family?”

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“Of course, Miss Kelly.”

I slowly opened the album, the first page revealing a photo of an elderly couple.

“Those are your great-grandparents. They died together in a car accident, leaving behind their two children—your grandmother and grandfather.”

I turned the page, and my gaze landed on a photo of a woman I recognized—my grandmother. Beside her stood a man who resembled her. I knew the story of my grandmother. She had been a single mother, a mistress to her husband without realizing it. When she found out, she left him and raised her children on her own, never allowing them to carry their father’s name.

As I turned the page again, I saw a picture of my mother. My heart ached as tears pooled in my eyes. She was so young in the photo, but I recognized her immediately.

“Your mom was a bright child, Miss Kelly. She was adored the most by your parents, which is why your uncle Connor and aunt Sara started hating her at such a young age.” Felicia’s words made my lips tremble. “She was so precious. My mom looked so kind.”

“She was. My mother told me how kind she was,” Felicia continued.

I squeezed my eyes closed and flipped the page, opening them again to see another photo of my mom, this time wearing a party hat and blowing out the candles on a huge cake.

“Mom…” I sobbed quietly as I kept flipping through the album, but soon I couldn’t find any more photos of her.

“Your mom was abducted at the age of 12, Miss Kelly. Your grandparents did everything they could to find her, but when they did… the kidnappers tried to flee with your mom, and the car exploded… with your mom inside.”

My hands trembled as the heartbreak hit me. My chest tightened just thinking about what my mom must have gone through.

“My mother regretted everything, Miss Kelly. While the Foster family was mourning your mom, my own mother was suffering alone. She was even blamed for your mom’s abduction.”

I shook my head, wiping my tears away as I looked at Felicia. “No, Felicia. My mom didn’t die that day.”

She nodded, smiling softly. “She didn’t, Miss Kelly. And you are the living proof.”

I sniffed and caressed my mom’s photo once more before lifting my face to look at Felicia. “Did your mother tell you anything about what happened before?”

Felicia became visibly alert, her eyes darting around the room before landing on Emily, who was examining the bookshelves.

“It’s fine. Emily’s my friend. You can trust her,” I said, noticing the hesitation in Felicia’s eyes.

Slowly, Felicia nodded, her gaze locking with mine. “Miss Kelly, my mother believes that it was your grandma’s brother who paid someone to abduct your mom.”

My forehead creased in confusion. “What do you mean?”

She sighed, her voice lowering slightly. “Don Gallian Foster didn’t like your mom because, from a young age, her future was already determined by your grandmother. Since your grandmother was the eldest and the one managing the family business, she expected your mom to grow into a woman capable of running it.”

I gritted my teeth, my fists clenching in anger. “So he paid someone to kidnap his sister’s child?”

“That’s what my mother believes,” Felicia said quietly.

“It could be true…” I murmured, my mind racing.

“But there’s no way to confirm it now, since Don Gallian died a long time ago.”

I swallowed hard. “Does he have a family?”

She shook her head. “He was too busy hating your mother. But I heard he has an adopted child. I just don’t know the name.”

I nodded slowly. “Thank you, Felicia. I’m glad we came here.”

“Of course, Miss Kelly. But… I heard you’re investigating your mother’s death,” she said, her voice tinged with worry and hope.

My forehead furrowed. She knew something, even though I hadn’t mentioned it when I called. “Who told you that?”

“Your aunt Sara came here not a week ago. She asked me questions about how Attorney Lee found you and your mother’s whereabouts. I couldn’t say anything because I don’t know about that.”

I pressed my lips together. Sara is starting her own investigation. Does that mean she wants to know the truth? But the real question is… is she on my side?

The door suddenly slammed open. Matt, with a furious expression, entered and stormed toward us. He glared at Felicia. “Say it again.”

Felicia looked both shocked and frightened. “S-sir Matt…”

Matt gasped and turned his back, running his hand through his hair. He looked at me with eyes full of disappointment. “A-are you saying this family is hiding a dark past?”

I gritted my teeth. “If you don’t believe me, you can investigate on your own. Just be prepared, because the truth might hurt you more than you expect.”

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