NovelEnglishJacob's expression stiffened. He had brought Lisa along, thinking they could just breeze through without any
hiccups. He assumed everyone would turn a blind eye to the situation, never expecting Neil to cright out
and ask him such a direct question. Saying yes As Jacob hesitated, unsure how to dodge the question, Lisa
suddenly stepped forward. "Mr. Neil, I'm the baby you saw all those years ago. My name's Lisa, and | must say,
you look a lot younger than | pictured," Lisa chimed in.
would be a blatant lie, and if Neil ever uncovered the truth, it could spell disaster.
Neil studied the girl standing before him. Gone was the overwhelming connection he felt more than two decades
ago. Back then, seeing that tiny baby swaddled in blankets had softened his heart, bringing him to tears despite
himself. He had known the emerald pendant was a family treasure, meant for his darling daughter, Willow. But
he had given it to that child instead. His Willow was gone, and he had longed for that baby to be his own.
Now, looking at the girl with a smile laced with what seemed like flattery, he felt none of that old sentiment-in
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtfact, he could hardly stand her. Naturally, Neil understood-she was just a newborn back then. Maybe he had
simply projected all his longing onto her. There's no such thing as a connection that lasts a lifetat first sight.
Over the years, he frequently recalled the baby's smile, like a beacon of light. But now, that light seemed snuffed
out,
Even though the girl before him wasn't what he had imagined, Neil didn't let his disappointment show. After all,
she was merely a child from his imagination; he couldn't expect her to live up to those fantasies. Neil was
gracious as he said to Lisa, "You've got quite the sweet tongue, haven't you?"
Lisa beamed at the compliment, assuming Neil liked being buttered up. She quickly added, "It's a real pleasure
visiting for the first ttoday; your welcjust warms our hearts."
The phrase "warms our hearts" from Lisa's lips left others momentarily taken aback. Jacob felt his stomach drop.
How could she misuse the phrase like that? Wasn't it just showing Neil she was a bit clueless? He had reminded
her repeatedly to keep quiet, but she insisted on talking. Leah looked equally uneasy. Yet Lisa, unaware, thought
Neil enjoyed her flattery, continuing to lay it on thick.
Neil's once-friendly demeanor began to cool. Having been a savvy businessman for decades, he could read
people like a book. This Lisa was all flash, no substance, and clearly not the brightest bulb in the box Neil really
wasn't fond of her.
He was let down. Over the years, he had genuinely cared about this child. He had even considered having Ruby
adopt her, to fill the void left by their daughter. But seeing what she had become, Neil had dismissed that idea.
In fact, he felt it was best todimit her interaction with Ruby altogether.
"Dinner's ready; let's head to the dining room," Neil announced. Jacob nodded eagerly, rushing to agree, and
courteously gestured for Neil to lead the way.
As Neil walked ahead and turned back, he instructed, "Mr. Jacob knows the old story. To spare my wife any
heartache, there's no need to bring up anything from over twenty years ago around her."
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