Chapter 2: Lingering Spirits

Elaine ran out of Cold Garden as if escaping, gasping for breath after running a long, long distance. Suddenly, she felt ridiculous. Why was she running when she hadn't done anything wrong?

A black Porsche pierced through the darkness and stopped next to her. The car door opened, and Sylvia rushed over, grabbing Elaine's hand. "We finally found you, Elaine! You scared us."

"I'm sorry," no one had ever cared about her like this before, and seeing Sylvia's anxious expression, Elaine immediately felt guilty and apologized.

"It's okay, as long as you're okay," Sylvia smiled, shaking her hand, then gestured towards the car. "Mason is here too. Let's go home. Dad is waiting for us to have dinner."

"Okay," Elaine nodded, letting Sylvia lead her towards the car. But she couldn't help but turn her head to look at the house. Perhaps she had startled it, as all the lights in the entire house were now on, a stunning sight in the dark night.

"Get in the car quickly."

Prompted by Sylvia, Elaine quickly sat in the car. As she withdrew her gaze, she unintentionally met Mason's deep gaze in the rearview mirror, making her feel somewhat uncomfortable. Compared to Sylvia's innocence and cheerfulness, this cousin of hers seemed much more profound.

"Mason," she called softly.

"Yeah," Mason responded, starting the car. The high-performance Porsche sped through the night. Elaine turned her head to look out the window, feeling complicated. She thought she could face that past calmly, but the reality proved that she wasn't as strong as she had believed.

With her current state, how could she guarantee not to reveal any flaws in front of the formidable Aaron?

There seemed to be only one road up the mountain, and they had been driving on it for quite a while without encountering any other cars. However, near the upcoming turn, a black Ferrari suddenly sped towards them, almost colliding with their car. The driver seemed in a hurry, as the car quickly moved backward and then shot out like an arrow.

Mason pursed his lips and looked up at the rearview mirror.

"Who was that? That driver was driving like crazy!" Sylvia complained from the side.

Elaine had a complicated expression. Of course, she remembered that car. Countless times she had waited at the doorstep in the darkness of night, just to see that car appear.

Yes, it was Aaron's car.

As for the driver, even though she had only caught a glimpse in a split second, she was certain it was Aaron's handsome yet cold face.

No different from the memories.

So, was he rushing to Cold Garden because the nanny had told him there were ghosts?

Aaron, are you afraid?

Uncle Bowie Smith was a man of few words, but he genuinely cared for Elaine. He knew she was coming back for dinner, and the dishes on the table were all her favorites.

"Dad," Mason suddenly spoke, breaking the silence and catching everyone's attention.

Bowie Smith raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Elaine kept her head down, focusing on her meal. She was not quite used to sitting around the table with a harmonious family, but she could feel Mason's gaze on her. She looked up, and Mason was already looking at Bowie Smith.

"I have an idea. I want to publicly reveal Elaine's identity during your 60th birthday celebration."

Elaine was taken aback and instinctively turned to look at Bowie Smith.

Setting down his chopsticks, Bowie Smith seemed to hesitate for a moment. He turned his serious gaze towards Elaine and nodded. "That's fine. Since Elaine is a child of the Smith family, it's only right that we give her a proper status. However..."

"I've thought it through. We will only say that she is my brother's daughter, who has been traveling with him all this time and has now returned. We don't need to say more than that."

"Will that work?" Bowie Smith still had concerns.

"It should be feasible. After all, apart from us, no one else knows about that matter. As for Elaine's relevant documents, my uncle has taken care of everything. There won't be any issues. It's also what he wants. He hopes Elaine can live a happy and fulfilling life. As for the rest, the Smith family won't let others take advantage of us."

Mason analyzed the situation convincingly, and Bowie Smith couldn't find any flaws. After a moment of contemplation, he agreed.

On the other hand, Sylvia anxiously reached out to hold Mason's hand, "Brother..."

Mason gestured for her to be quiet.

Sylvia could only retract her hand, anxiously twisting her fingers.

Elaine observed all this and naturally felt curious. It wasn't the first time she felt they were keeping something from her. Every time she wanted to ask, they would divert her attention with other topics. This time was no exception, and she was about to speak up.

But Mason beat her to it. "It's too late today. You don't need to go back to the hospital. Tomorrow, let Sylvia help you pack your things, and you can come back to stay at home. Dad's celebration is in three days, and we'll reveal your identity then. Be prepared."

"Okay," Elaine obediently nodded, suppressing the doubts in her heart once again.

After dinner.

Elaine went back to her room, and as soon as she left, Sylvia hurriedly walked up to Mason. "Brother, are you crazy? Have you forgotten what we promised Uncle? Never to let Elaine have any contact with the Brown and Garcia families. If we publicly reveal Elaine's identity, they will definitely suspect, and if that matter is exposed, Elaine will know that her biological mother is actually..."

"This is Uncle's intention," Mason interrupted her and showed her his phone.

Sylvia skeptically took the phone and indeed saw the message sent by Tatum Smith. It roughly conveyed the same meaning as what Mason said: he felt indebted to this daughter and wanted to give her a better life.

"But if Elaine finds out who harmed her... I'm afraid she won't be able to bear it even more," Sylvia still worried.

Mason took back the phone, deleted the message, and then looked into the night with a solemn expression. He said softly, "Do you believe there are truly airtight walls in this world? Uncle is obviously prepared for the worst. Don't worry, with us here, no one will harm Elaine."

"Okay," Sylvia agreed and quickly smiled as she ran upstairs. "Well then, you go ahead. Tonight, I'll sleep with Elaine."

In the room, Sylvia sat across from Elaine and looked at her cautiously. "Elaine, my dad's celebration... they will all be there. Are you truly prepared to face them?"

Sylvia's genuine concern always made it impossible for Elaine to escape. Elaine gently shook her head, "I don't know, maybe. But even if I don't seek revenge, I still have to live a normal life. So, I have no other choice, right?"

"Don't worry, you have us now. As Mason said, the Smith family is your best shield. Let's see who dares to bully anyone from our Smith family," Sylvia said proudly.

Indeed.

While the Smith family's status in the city might not be as high as the Brown family's, the St. Love Hospital owned by the Smith family was the most famous private hospital in the country. Bowie Smith and his son had extensive connections; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to save her in time.

Elaine nodded, "I know."

"That's good. I'll go take a shower first. Tonight, I'll share the same bed with you. Don't kick me away," Sylvia said, as she had worked a long day and was naturally tired. After taking a shower, she fell asleep soon after. However, Elaine couldn't sleep. Despite her best efforts, those past events still came at her like a ferocious beast with its jaws wide open.

It felt as if whenever she closed her eyes, she was lying on a cold operating table, so cold and desperate, in pain from being abandoned by the whole world...

Tonight, another person couldn't sleep either.

Cold Yuan.

All the lights in the entire house were on. Aaron had personally searched every room and was now sitting in the living room with a gloomy expression. Trembling beside him was a terrified housekeeper.

"Young master, I didn't lie to you. I really saw, saw Madam, in a white dress... with black hair... exactly the same, exactly the same..."

Aaron pressed his thin lips tightly without saying a word.

"Young master, do you think Madam is lingering with resentment, so her spirit cannot rest? This house is no longer habitable, young master. It's better to dispose of this house," the housekeeper suggested, full of fear.

"That's enough!" Aaron suddenly stood up. "If her vengeful spirit is looking for anyone, it's me. What are you afraid of?"

The housekeeper cowered and dared not speak anymore. Seeing Aaron walking upstairs, she asked anxiously, "Young master, where are you going?"

"I'm going to wait in the room!" Aaron replied, striding up the stairs. His fingers clenched tightly, and he really went into their old room, where everything was still the same, arranged by Emily herself. After that, he had only entered this room once, and since then... he hadn't come in much.

Because Emily's frail and fragile figure always roamed in his mind.

Well then.

Tonight, he would wait here.