Chapter 311

"We could tell because those strands of hair weren't randomly collected."

Teresa Taylor's voice trembled slightly.

"They were stored in a... special place."

"What kind of place?"

"A ring box."

Evelyn Carter's fingertips tightened imperceptibly.

"Annabelle once mentioned that Alexander always carried a ring box with him, never letting it out of his sight. Once, out of curiosity, she tried to open it, but before she could even touch it, he caught her."

Teresa recalled the scene vividly.

"He'd never been so furious before. He scared Annabelle to tears."

Evelyn lowered her gaze.

"So Emily Zade helped you?"

"Yes, but not in the way you think."

Teresa hurried to explain.

"Emily has been loyal to Alexander all these years. But she had a good impression of you. She only agreed to help after we explained our purpose."

Evelyn frowned slightly.

"How much did you tell her?"

"Just that we wanted to run a test. Nothing else was mentioned."

The air grew heavy with silence.

"Terry, after that day at Cicada Temple, we understood..."

Teresa's voice choked with emotion.

"You didn’t want to acknowledge us. After all these years of failing to find you, it’s only natural you’d resent us..."

"I don’t resent you."

Evelyn met her eyes directly.

"I just don’t remember. In my memory, there are only my adoptive parents. They scrimped and saved to put me through school, poured everything into buying me a home. They are my real parents."

"We understand!"

Teresa nodded eagerly.

"We’ll repay them properly, including all expenses for their daughter—"

"That’s not the point."

Evelyn cut her off.

"...I know."

Teresa bowed her head.

"I have a few more questions."

Evelyn took a deep breath.

"What if the test proves I’m not your daughter?"

"Impossible! That red thread bracelet was woven by my own hands!"

"Just hypothetically."

Teresa suddenly stood up.

"May I see your forehead?"

"Why?"

"There should be a faint scar above your left brow. You got it when you fell at four years old."

Evelyn froze in place.

"It seems you already have your answer."

Teresa smiled bitterly as she sat back down.

"What’s your second question?"

"How old was your daughter when she went missing?"

"Four years and three months."

"At that age, she should have had memories."

Evelyn’s voice was soft.

"But I have no recollection of you at all. Only my adoptive parents."

Tears finally spilled down Teresa’s cheeks.

"That’s what pains me most. Back then, we turned H City upside down, checked every mode of transportation..."

Her voice grew fainter.

"It was as if you’d vanished into thin air."