novelxo Chapter 826
826 Chapter 825
Keira stared at Amy in disbelief.
Amy had been glued to the TV, pointing at Monbatten and calling him "Dad" over and over. For such a timid, shy child, she had somehow summoned the courage to insist on accompanying them to meet him.
These peculiarities… Could it be?
Keira tightened her jaw, her mind racing to shut out a thought she was too afraid to entertain.
Her eyes flicked to Lewis.
Her memory wandered back to the inexplicable day they'd gotten married—an arrangement orchestrated by her sister.
At the time, her sister had claimed it was to protect her.
But looking at it now, was it really protection? Or had her sister known all along about Lewis's connections overseas and orchestrated the union to secure a political alliance?
From her grandmother to her mother, down to Keera, and perhaps even herself—was this all part of some grand, invisible game for control of the South family?
Were they all pawns, moved across the chessboard without realizing it?
Keira's heart thudded wildly in her chest. For a brief moment, it felt as though her entire life had been tangled in conspiracies—a web tightening around her, leaving no escape.
She drew in a shaky breath.
"What's on your mind?" Sean Church's calm voice broke her reverie.
Keira lowered her eyes. "Nothing. Just wondering—if I somehow forged an unbreakable bond with Monbatten, would you really side with me?"
Sean let out a bitter laugh. "Do you know what it's like to be starving?"
Keira blinked, caught off guard.
Sean continued, his voice soft but heavy. "When you're truly starving, to the point where the thought of food makes you sick, it's worse than dying. My sister gave up control of this body because the hunger—the pain—it was unbearable for her."
He chuckled darkly. "You saved my life when you helped me eat again. Without you, I'd probably be dead by now."
Keira listened, her eyes drifting toward his stomach.
For someone who had just eaten, it no longer seemed flat and hollow, but his frail frame, the almost skeletal appearance of his hands, and even his once-gorgeous face, now gaunt, told the story of someone teetering on the edge.
She nodded slowly. She could relate.
She had often gone hungry as a child in the Olsen household.
Back then, when Jodie South gave her a single biscuit, it had felt like salvation—a moment she would never forget.
Seeing her understanding, Sean pressed on. "So, even if things with Monbatten don't work out, I'll still back you. But I think you've overlooked one very basic issue."
"What issue?"
Sean smirked. "More and more people know you're not Keera. You don't have her memories or her account with the South family. Competing to become their heir in your condition is dangerous."
Sean laughed. "You realize that each of us has a unique account, right? Like an ID. You need a password to access it, and only the real owner can verify it. That's why no one would ever share their password—it's their lifeline. Some people even go as far as changing their appearance after leaving the South family, but their account always remains their true identity."
Keira's brows furrowed deeper. "I've already searched every corner of the South family estate. My sister didn't leave anything behind. That account and password are impossible to recover."
"Who said that?" Sean countered.
Keira froze.
Sean leaned in slightly. "Your sister might not have shared her account details, but her mother would know. And she's still in the South family."
"You mean Keera's adoptive mother?" Keira asked cautiously.
"Exactly," Sean replied. "A three-year-old wouldn't know their own password. It's always held by the parents."
Realization dawned on Keira's face. "So you're saying…"
"In twenty days, the South family estate will open its gates for a short visit. That'll be your chance to find the password."
Keira clenched her jaw.
Twenty days. She had already planned to use that opportunity to rescue Jodie South from the estate.
Sean seemed to read her thoughts and gave her a wry smile. "Actually, Jodie's safest where she is now. She won't be harmed inside the South estate, but outside? Things could get dangerous. Until you've secured your position as the next heir, I'd advise you to leave her there."
Keira lowered her head. "I'll think about it."
"Good. Now let's figure out the real challenge," Sean said, leaning back. "How do we get Monbatten to acknowledge Amy?"
Keira looked up at him, her lips curving into a sly smile. "We can't just hand Amy over to him. That would make us look desperate, like we're scheming for something. No, I'll make sure Amy appears before Monbatten… as prey he can't resist."