The woman stood still, her body tense. Her golden mask, a true work of art adorned with gemstones, concealed the
upper part of her face, revealing only her lips and chin. It was more than just a mask—it was a masterpiece.
Elijah's expression darkened as he whispered to his subordinate, "After all this searching, you bring me this?!"
The subordinate stammered nervously, "S-Sir, we hired the best private investigators in Centrolis and followed your
leads. This is the result."
The subordinate handed over some documents to Elijah, who flipped through them with mixed emotions. They
lacked a photograph of the woman and contained only a brief life history.
Sasha Harding had spent her life in Southeast Aciatic, frequenting entertainment establishments and having strong
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtties to the criminal underworld there. Most notably, her mother was none other than the infamous Madame Krys, a
human trafficker.
"You're Sasha Harding?" Elijah's eyes narrowed. "Is your mother Krystal Harding?"
"That's correct," Sasha replied, her voice cool and slightly hoarse, hinting at a life marked by hardship.
"Your throat..."
"It's not in great shape. Three years ago, I was in an accident that damaged my appearance and vocal cords. My
mother made this mask for me, and I've worn it ever since."
Sasha touched the emerald on the mask, a genuine one at that.
Elijah and Kasey were accustomed to fine things and could tell it was authentic. Such a mask wouldn't come cheap,
indicating Krystal's affection for her daughter.
"If you doubt my identity, look at this," Sasha said, producing a pocket watch.
Elijah's expression changed instantly. He recognized it as his father's possession. The pocket watch came in a pair,
and one was his father's favorite.
Kasey's hands trembled as she opened it to reveal a photo of Elijah's father and Krystal.
"That woman is my mother, Krystal," Sasha stated coldly. "And the man in the picture? You're familiar with him,
aren't you?"
Elijah and Kasey exchanged a knowing glance.
The pocket watch was genuine, and the photo appeared untouched. Additionally, Elijah had discovered information
about Krystal when he explored his father's study during the investigation's early stages.
Elijah clenched his fists, his brows furrowing deeply. After a moment, he muttered, "One pocket watch isn't enough
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmto trust you completely."
"What?"
"At the very least, we should confirm with a DNA test."
Sasha sneered. "So, even family ties can be doubted. I thought you were my only family."
"Words alone can't decide if we're family or not," Elijah said firmly. "Science can provide the answer."
"Fine." Sasha's eyes turned icy. "If you don't trust me that much, I see no reason to stay here. Mr. Chriss, it was your
team who found, interrogated, and dragged me to Centrolis. I've yearned to find my family for years. But if you
doubt me, I'd rather return to Southeast Aciatic and live on my own terms!"
"What are you saying?" Kasey's emotions surged. "You want to leave?"
Sasha looked at her and emphasized each word. "I won't object to a DNA test. If we do it, however, I won't undergo
any bone marrow compatibility tests. Think carefully about it."