On their way back to Skygarden, the more Horace dwelled on Melinda's behavior, the more enraged he became. Unable to contain himself, he turned to Eden and asked bluntly, "Is she really your biological mother?"Eden tilted her head slightly and gave him a mischievous smile. "She really is.""Why do I get the feeling you were picked up from somewhere else?" Horace mused, narrowing his eyes. Then a thought struck him, and he ventured, "Maybe you should go for a maternity test?"He couldn't shake the feeling that Melinda and Eden weren't genuinely mother and daughter. No mother, he thought, would treat their own child in such a callous manner."Sheesh, tell me about it," Eden chuckled, her laughter light but tinged with melancholy.Even Horace couldn't help but feel sorry for her.The truth was, Eden had indeed undergone a maternity test. On the day Melinda found her, Eden had discreetly obtained Melinda's DNA for analysis. The result was disappointing—Melinda was indeed her biologi
Very quickly, there was a knock on the office door.Three men and a woman entered.The woman walked over to the desk and addressed Samuel with an air of pride. "Is there something important that requires my attention, Mr. Samuel? I'm overseeing an intensive class, so I need to monitor the students during their morning reading session."The woman was Miriam Walker, the homeroom teacher of Class 3-1, who had been handling senior intensive classes for the past five years and took great pride in her role at the school.The other three men greeted Samuel respectfully.Samuel gestured toward the girl sitting across from him and introduced, "Let me introduce you. This is our new transfer student, Eden Griffith. Who can take her under their wing?""Transfer student?" Miriam regarded Eden with suspicion. "We've been in session for over a month now, and midterms are approaching. You're saying she's transferring in at this point?"The other three teachers were curious but didn't voice any
Class 3-18 and Class 3-17 ranked lowest academically among the year group.Not only were students in these classes struggling academically, but they were also notoriously difficult to manage, with frequent conflicts erupting.Most teachers were reluctant to take on these classes.Firstly, managing them was a challenge in itself.Secondly, Riverside Senior High had built a reputation as an elite school, attracting more children from wealthy and influential families in recent years. This increased competition for limited spots, often squeezing out students from less affluent backgrounds unless they excelled academically.The intensive classes mainly comprised students from ordinary families, with only a few from affluent backgrounds. Teachers preferred these classes due to higher postsecondary enrollment rates and less trouble.The worst classes were on the verge of having no homeroom teachers at all.Following Grant, Eden entered Class 3-18 with her head slightly lowered.The cl
“The Hunt household is not your grandmother’s home. Just look at how unruly you are. When we’re inside, make sure you behave yourself. Don’t make a fool out of yourself and embarrass me.”In front of the Hunt family’s residence, a luxurious black car was parked in front of the gate. Melinda Hunt pressed the doorbell while nagging at Eden Griffith, who was standing next to her and was frowning somewhat impatiently.Eden had a black sling bag over her pure black hoodie. The cap that she was wearing covered half of her face, and her eyes under the cap’s visor were narrowed as she placed her hands in her pockets. She nodded nonchalantly.“You better remember what I told you. If you screw up, you’ll get it from me.” Melinda had been married to the Hunt family for decades and had enjoyed a life of riches. Every move she made was filled with the grace of a proper lady. She glanced at Eden who looked like a thug, and she could feel the anger boiling inside of her again. “The opportunity
The skies had already darkened when they all left the Hunt family’s residence. Eden followed Edmund and Melinda, returning to their residence. Several years ago, the Hunt siblings had already moved out from where Catherine was staying. The Hunt family was an old, prestigious family in Estburg. In terms of assets, they could probably rank second highest. That was why the children of the Hunt family would leave home as soon as they were married. “Master Edmund, Madam Melinda.” A middle-aged woman opened the door. Melinda called her Mrs. Thompson. Mrs. Thompson looked at Eden, who was behind them. There was a hint of disdain in her eyes, but she still respectfully said, “This must be Ms. Eden.” “Mrs. Thompson, take care of her luggage and bring it up to her room. Give her the pajamas that I bought earlier and make sure she takes a shower.” Melinda’s thoughts were in shambles on the way home. She couldn’t forget how her brother-in-law and his family had looked at her. When
The next morning, Mrs. Thompson woke Eden up. As Eden didn’t get a good night’s sleep, her irritation was apparent. She followed Mrs. Thompson downstairs and realized that there was someone else there. It was Jasmine Hunt; her half-sister who shared the same mother but had a different father. She was practicing piano at school last night and didn’t come home until very late at night. They hadn’t seen each other yet. When Jasmine saw her, there was astonishment in her eyes. It was her first time seeing her older half-sister. But since she had heard everything about Eden from Melinda, she thought that her sister was someone very awful. She didn’t expect her to be so beautiful! Eden’s skin was very fair, and her face seemed like it had been carefully molded. Her beauty was otherworldly. Her eyes were half-closed, and there was barely any expression on her face. She looked so cool even as she stood there. Jasmine had mixed feelings then. In the Hunt family, she had always bee
The news that the Ward family was going to ally themselves with the Hunt family shocked the entire city of Estburg.The engagement banquet between the two families had started, and they became the topic of discussion that was filled with envy and jealousy.In accordance with the Ward family’s protocols to reduce unnecessary problems, the engagement would be something simple. They would share a meal, and the engagement would be done.They made a booking at a luxurious hotel for the occasion.At the seven-star hotel in Estburg.“When you see him later, be more proactive. Make him like you as much as possible, you hear?” Melinda kept on mumbling into Eden’s ear when they were on their way to the hotel.Eden simply rested her back on the seat, her eyes half-closed. She didn’t respond to Melinda at all.“I’m talking to you! Take this seriously!”Melinda didn’t like how Eden was acting like a hooligan. Every time Melinda spoke to Eden, she felt her anger burning. “If you’re still goi
After a few moments, the door leading into the private room was pushed open, and two men walked in.One of them was wearing a silver mask and had a slender figure. He slowly walked in as the hotel lights beamed on him. The eyes hidden beneath the mask were as dark as ink; he exuded the presence of a king.He was covered up tightly, wearing a high-collared shirt under a long coat. They couldn’t even see his neck.The other man was someone tall and lithe, his brown bangs covering the other half of his face. His eyes were beautiful, like light shining through the darkness.“My apologies for the long wait.” The masked man glanced at everyone from the Hunt family before looking at Eden sitting in the chair, who didn’t even glance at him when he came in. He quickly withdrew his attention.When the masked man opened his mouth, everyone from the Hunt family stood up. “We’ve only just arrived, Alain. Please have a seat.” Catherine’s voice was respectful.Even though they had never seen