Chapter 112

Once Eleanor wrapped up her interview in a single,confident sweep, the spotlight shifted. Lainey's turn to step into the Benton family's world had come.

Sitting alone with the television's glow flickering across her face, Lainey could barely hide her jealousy watching Eleanor bask in the attention.

But she reassured herself that soon,her new status would eclipse anything Eleanor could ever hope for.

The thought brought a tight, triumphant smile to her lips.

With her phone tucked away, she smoothed out her designer dress and moved toward the VIP lounge with purpose.

As the door swung open, Lainey summoned a surge of emotion, making her eyes glisten and releasing tears right on cue. "Dad, Mom... I finally found my way back to you."

Jeff Benton and his wife, Hilda Benton, lit up for a heartbeat when Lainey appeared, but their excitement faded as soon as they took a good look at her.

Something about her seemed off. Their real daughter shouldn't appear this calculating. She was striking,yes, but the look in her eyes was nothing like the open warmth the Benton family recognized as their own.

Lainey sensed the shift right away.

Still, facts were on her side-the DNA results were indisputable.

She just had to smooth things over and win their trust.

So she brushed away a perfect tear, her voice tremulous and soft. "Is there something about me that makes you uneasy? I know I grew up far from home, and maybe I picked up a few bad habits. But if I have, just tell me and I'll do my best to change."

The words landed just as she intended, an apology that tugged at their hearts while quietly reminding them of her years apart.

Sure enough, Jeff's hesitation began to fade.

Lainey knew deep down that her sharp edges and calculating mind were not entirely her fault. If they hadn't lost her all those years ago, she would never have grown up learning to survive with such cunning.

Jeff's heart lurched the moment he saw her dabbing at her tears. His voice cracked with guilt as he leaned toward her. "Don't cry, sweetheart. None of this is your doing. We failed you. We're not upset with you.We're just... overwhelmed with joy."

He then turned to his wife, urging her to speak."Isn't that right,honey?"

Hilda swallowed her doubts, forcing a smile as she remarked softly, "Yes, too happy for words." Lainey kept her expression soft and graceful, but beneath that calm exterior, exhilaration threatened to consume her.

She was finally seated among the Benton family-the most powerful and untouchable family in all of Zerovia.

From this moment forward, their fortune, their prestige, their influence, would all become hers to claim.

Once the small talk faded, Lainey leaned in, sensing the moment was right. Her voice softened,trembling with hope as she begged, "Dad, Mom,will you stay in Elepdon with me instead of going back to Breoqua?This is the place I know, the city where I grew up.1don't want to leave. I want to be here, with you."

In her mind, there was no comparison. Wealth overseas meant anonymity-no one would know her name, no one would bow to her presence.

But here in Elepdon, things would be different. She could crush Eleanor's pride, belittle Lillian in pub and even turn Nolan's heart her way.

Here,she could crown herself as the most admired,envied, and untouchable woman Elepdon had ever seen.

A dangerous glimmer flickered in Lainey's eyes, a spark of triumph edged with madness.

Hilda caught it at once, and the sight made her stomach twist with unease.

Something was wrong-deeply wrong.

Her little girl had once mirrored her in every way.

As a child, her smile bent her eyes into crescent moons,bright and innocent.

Even as an adult, she should have carried that same warmth.

Yet the woman before her radiated something entirely different.

Still, the DNA test had been undeniable. So why did her instincts scream otherwise? A sudden thought struck Hilda like a bolt of lightning -what if this girl wasn't the daughter they had lost,but rather the key to finding the real one?

Jeff, on the other hand, showed no such hesitation.His voice was gentle, reassuring. "Very well. We won't go back. We'll stay here in Elepdon with you."

Hilda plastered on a smile, forcing her doubts beneath the surface. "Yes, darling, we'll stay.Tomorrow we'll have the estate cleaned and ready.You can move in with us right away, doesn't that sound wonderful?"

Inwardly, she resolved to keep Lainey close, watching carefully until the truth revealed itself.

Lainey, blind to the suspicion in Hilda's heart, could barely contain her joy at their affection. Her pulse quickened, and excitement surged so strongly she almost trembled.

In her mind, the victory was already sealed. She believed she had fooled the mighty Benton family at last, and from this day forward, she was their rightful daughter.