Adeline's face changed. She did hear about this piece of gossip of the Lockwood family.

Rumor had it that Christiano Lockwood, the oldest son of the Lockwood family, had a car accident two years ago. Unfortunately, he ended up in a vegetative state, and he was abandoned by his then-fiancée. Vallerie Jules, Christiano's grandmother, heard from somewhere that if a girl born in July married Christiano, it would bring him luck and wake him up from the coma. Therefore, she started sourcing a girl in Caulford City that was suitable to be Christiano's spouse.

Even though Adeline knew that she wouldn't be selected, she still felt a little anxious.

After all, marrying someone in a vegetative state was social suicide. Plus, she already had someone she liked.

Noticing how pale Adeline's face was, Helen felt the sweet taste of revenge. 

She took Zoey's hand and headed upstairs.

Ronald came back to his senses. He looked at Adeline and said, "Adeline, there are so many girls born in July. The Lockwood family might not even pick you. So don't you worry!"

With a faint smile, Adeline nodded, and said, "Dad, don't worry. I'm already a sophomore. In the second half of next year, I'll be a junior, then I can start filming!"

"It's all my fault. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't end up at the Art Academy doing performing arts."

"I like acting very much, Dad. Without your support, I wouldn't even fulfill my dream to study acting."

Seeing how kind and considerate Adeline was, Ronald felt more guilty. 

The corners of his mouth twitched, but in the end, he only said lightly, "Helen and Zoey aren't bad. They just have sharp tongues."

"I know. Dad, don't worry. I won't take it to heart."

"'I'll ask Rosa to heat up some food for you. You can head upstairs and clean up, then come back down later,"

"Okay. I'll head up now."

After speaking, Adeline went upstairs with her luggage.

Once she returned to her bedroom on the second floor, Adeline unpacked her things and placed them where they belonged. There was a photo on her desk. In it, a lady smiled brightly, standing beside Ronald, and in their arms was Adeline.

This photo was taken when she was five years old. At that time, she was a carefree child showered in both her parents' love. She had a happy family. However, a car accident took her mother's life away.

Soon after, Ronald remarried.

It was only later that Adeline learned that her mother died because she found out Ronald was cheating on her. She drove off in a fit of anger and got into a car accident.

Later, Helen came knocking on the door because she was pregnant with Ronald's child. Not long after, Adeline had a sister that was younger than her by five years.

Adeline never blamed anyone for her mother's death. She matured so quickly that it was actually heart-wrenching. She knew that no matter how much hatred she felt, she could never bring the dead back to life.

Just at this moment, someone knocked on the door, pulling Adeline back to reality.

"Come in!" Adeline wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Miss Adeline, the food is ready. Mr. Ronald had left for work, and he asked me to call for you once the food is prepared."

"I'll be right there!"

As she said, Adeline dusted the photo and placed it back on the desk. She smiled slightly at it and then headed downstairs.

She was about to enjoy her meal when several people came into the house.

Looking at Adeline, who was seated at the table, one of them asked, "Is this Ronald Simpson's residence?"

Adeline got up and replied, "Yes, but my father has gone to work. Is there anything I can help you with?"

The man who spoke sized Adeline up and asked, "Are you Ronald Simpson's daughter, Adeline Simpson?"