One night stand with my president( chapter 296)

 Chapter 296: The Road Ahead

At that time, the Mendoza family traitors kept a close watch on Isaac and Gracie but overlooked Gracie's sister, Gloria.

After all, Gracie's sister, Gloria, was someone who had always flown under the radar.

Thanks to this, she managed to escape the Mendoza family and Yewhaina with Adeline.

Afraid of exposing their location, Isaac and Gracie dared not contact Gloria.

Later, Isaac and Gracie, bearing the pain and enduring humiliation with their son Alberto, managed to reclaim the family's position of power after two years.

The couple had always been capable.

It was only Ricardo's sudden death and the traitors' careful preparation that had caught them off guard.

In fact, those traitors had initially intended to kill them.

But they held back, both to avoid suspicion from others and because they'd long harbored a desire to humiliate Isaac further.

Ironically, it was this delay that gave Isaac and Gracie their chance for revenge.

Once they regained control of the Mendoza family, several main conspirators fell into despair and took their own lives; the rest were sent to remote, harsh places, never to return to the family.

Though Isaac and Gracie had reclaimed what was rightfully theirs, they couldn't find happiness.

They began searching for Gloria and their daughter.

But before long, one of the traitors called to tell them a nearly devastating piece of news.

Gloria had been relentlessly pursued after escaping with the baby.

Their pursuers ultimately managed to kill her, though the child she had with her vanished without a trace.

When Gracie learned of Gloria's death, she was heartbroken.

Her sister had been so young, barely able to enjoy life, and now she was gone...

When she'd first entrusted her daughter to Gloria, Gracie had been deeply torn.

It was an incredibly dangerous decision.

Having Gloria take her daughter meant that both would be hunted down.

Gloria was her only sister, and Gracie could not bear to hear her death.

But Gloria had said, "Gracie, our parents died young. You raised me and made me who I am today. I owe you everything. Now, Adeline is in trouble. How could I just ignore that? Besides, I'm your sister. It's dangerous to escape with Adeline, but staying here isn't any safer for me. If there's a risk either way, I'd rather take Adeline and fight our way out than wait here for both of us to die."

Gracie knew Gloria was strong-willed.

After hearing her say that, Gracie entrusted her daughter to Gloria and let them go.

From that day forward, she prayed daily for their safety.

And now, she heard that Gloria was gone.

Gracie believed that if her daughter wasn't found with Gloria, then Gloria must have hidden her somewhere safe.

And so they began their search for their daughter.

That search lasted over twenty years.

"Every time I thought of Gloria, I couldn't help but cry," Gracie said, weeping. "Back then, we sent people to look for her remains, but they found nothing. We could only build a memorial using the clothes she left behind."

Adeline felt a deep ache in her heart, mixed with gratitude.

She could almost see the image of a young woman in her mind.

It must have been Gloria handing her over to her adoptive mother, Scarlett.

Perhaps Gloria had already sensed they were being pursued by then.

So Gloria entrusted her to someone reliable and then left on her own, drawing the pursuers away.

Without Gloria, Adeline wouldn't be here today.

"When I visit Yewhaina, please take me to Gloria's grave." Adeline choked up.

She hadn't yet decided her path forward, but she knew one thing for sure. She needed to visit Yewhaina.

She had to go to the Mendoza family to see the place that was her true home.

"Of course." Gracie squeezed her hand and nodded.

Just then, Isaac approached with a bank card and handed it to Adeline.

"What's this?"

"It's the savings we set aside for you over the years," Isaac explained. "Your annual allowance, pocket money, and other funds. We've put them all here."

Originally, it was a Yewhainian card, but he'd had it converted to her country's currency

today.

Adeline hesitated.

She could imagine the substantial sum this card likely held.

"Please take it, dear," Gracie said. "It's rightfully yours. You've suffered so much over the years. You were meant to grow up as a beloved lady of the Mendoza family, surrounded by comfort and joy. But instead, we couldn't fulfill our duties as parents, and you suffered for it. Accept this money. It's the least we can do to ease our guilt."

Hearing this, Adeline accepted the card.

After all, she'd reunited with her birth parents, and they would remain in her life, so there was no need to refuse their offering.

The next morning, Adeline repaid Harrison's debt she'd borrowed before.

As soon as he received it, he called her.

"Why the sudden repayment?"

"Now that I have the means, I should repay my debts!" Adeline laughed.

Harrison fell silent, and Adeline sensed a slight heaviness in his tone.

"Come on, it's what we agreed on," Adeline said with a hint of teasing in her voice. "It is what it is. You gave me that expensive necklace and treated me to so many meals, but I never said I'd pay you back. But this is money you lent me, so of course, I have to pay you back. Otherwise, I just wouldn't feel right."

Harrison sighed, seemingly accepting her explanation.

"Are you on your way to Castlewill Manor?"

Adeline asked.

"Yes."

"It's cold now, so be sure to enjoy the hot springs."

"I will. And make sure to dress warmly, so you don't catch a cold," he replied.

"Don't worry. I know," she reassured him.

After those words, silence fell between them.

Then, they both spoke at once.

"You..."

"You..."

"You go first," Harrison said.

"No, you go."

Harrison laughed. "At this rate, we might never get our words out."

"That might not be so bad," Adeline murmured.

"What?" Harrison asked, not catching her words.

"Nothing... What was it you wanted to say?"

"Nothing, just thought l'd ask if you wanted a souvenir. There's a shop at Castlewill Manor, and I could bring something back for you."