"The past few days must have been exhausting—organizing such a grand celebration for your second daughter." "Indeed. Parents always strive to give their children the very best, don't they?" Surrounded by well-meaning comments, Chloe managed a faint smile. "It has been a bit tiring lately," she admitted softly. "Then you must take care of yourself." Another lady chimed in, her tone brimming with curiosity, "By the way, I heard the Foster Family attended the event specifically for Miss Seraphina. Does she know someone from their family?" The question made Chloe's heart lurch, her mind racing. For a fleeting moment, her practiced composure wavered, her smile tightening. "I'm not entirely sure," she said, feigning nonchalance. "Perhaps they've crossed paths at some point." "Oh, and isn't she quite close with the Drakon Family too?" Another guest added, her voice tinged with envy. Imagine having a daughter like that—barely returned to the fold and already building connections with two of the most powerful families in Pearlpoint. The Whitewood Family's future seems poised for greatness! Chloe's smile grew brittle. "Excuse me, I need to step away for a moment. Please, continue without me." The group of women nodded politely, watching her leave. As soon as she disappeared from view, their restrained whispers turned into unrestrained gossip about Seraphina. Upstairs, Chloe entered Seraphina's room without knocking, her gaze immediately drawn to the dazzling young woman. Seraphina stood near the window, her delicate features accentuated by light makeup. She looked nothing short of stunning, her beauty almost otherworldly. Chloe put on a smile as she approached. "My beautiful daughter," she cooed, placing a hand on Seraphina's shoulder. "It's been a long day. Are you tired?"Seraphina blinked, caught off guard by the sudden warmth. Her lips parted slightly, but her hesitation quickly gave way to detachment. "No, I'm not," she replied curtly. "That's good." Chloe's tone shifted, adopting a casual air. "By the way, how did you come to know the Foster Family?" The question struck like a needle, sharp and deliberate. A flicker of cold amusement surfaced in Seraphina's eyes. There it is, she thought bitterly. Purpose revealed. Her heart sank in disappointment, but she didn't bother replying. The silence stretched, and Chloe's expression turned anxious. Her voice carried a hint of desperation. "Seraphina, I'm asking for your father's sake. We need to understand your relationship with the Foster Family so we can approach them appropriately." Seraphina's gaze turned icy, her words clipped. "I'm not close to the Foster Family. Deal with them however you like." Sensing her impatience, Chloe did not press further. She faltered, apparently hurt by the frosty response. "Seraphina, I know you resent us, and we deserve it. We failed you, but I promise to make it up to you. Please, don't shut us out. It pains me to see you like this." Pain? Seraphina nearly laughed aloud. Do they even know what pain is? If they had hearts—if they felt genuine guilt or regret—then my previous life wouldn't have been a relentless cycle of humiliation and despair. Back then, she had diminished herself, dimmed her light, all for their approval. She had bent over backward, desperate to be the daughter they wanted. But now? Now, things were different. The only difference was that she had the Drakon and Foster Families in her corner. Suddenly, she was worth their attention, their so-called guilt. But deep down, she knew it wasn't about her—it was about what she could offer. How laughable, she thought. The Whitewood Family was incapable of love or warmth, their lives dictated by profit and ambition. They were just a bunch of selfish, heartless hypocrites.Realizing this truth filled her with a cold fury that festered in her heart. She had been naïve in her previous life, clinging to fantasies of familial affection. Not this time. Seeing no response, Chloe clenched her teeth, her voice tinged with frustration. "Seraphina, a mother's love for her child is unconditional. Everything I've done, I've done for you. Can you say there's a single mother in this world who doesn't love her child?"