Bloodline was something amazing. Even though Gloria had not seen Nicole for many years, she could recognize the girl in front of her to be Nicole, her biological daughter, at first glance.

Nicole also had this special feeling. So, when Gloria rushed over and hugged her, she did not resist.

“Oh, Nicole, I have finally found you.” Gloria choked up. “It was my fault for not protecting you well enough. I was to blame for your abduction.”

So, her abduction was real.

Nicole used to wonder why her family abandoned her. Was it because she was a daughter? Now knowing that her loved ones cared about her, Nicole’s heart softened, and the look on her face was not as stony as when they first met.

“Mom, let sis sit down first. We have come all the way home, and she should be tired by now.” Sean reminded Gloria thoughtfully.

“Right, right. I am just too happy.” Gloria agreed but did not let go of her grip. She sat Nicole down.

Seeing the entire family surrounding Nicole, a hint of jealousy flashed in the eyes of the girl next to them. But the girl quickly put on a smile. “Nicole must be thirsty. Let me pour you a glass of water.”

Only then everyone remembered the girl, Norah Riddle. Seeing Norah so thoughtful, Gloria could not help but feel warmhearted. “Norah is so thoughtful.”

Norah looked a little bashful as she said, “My sister has just returned from the countryside. I should take care of her more.”

“Thanks.” Nicole shot her a glance as she took the glass from Norah.

Sean noticed Nicole’s gaze and made the introduction. “Nicole, this is Norah, whom I have mentioned on the way.”

“Ahh,” Nicole responded.

Sean mentioned that Gloria and Daniel had not continued to look for Nicole because they had found a child with a birthmark behind her ear in the third year of Nicole's abduction. So, they mistook Norah as their daughter and did not continue the search.

It was not until recently that the police suddenly informed them that the DNA data uploaded years ago had a match. The Riddle family knew they had identified the wrong person. But Norah had been in the Riddle family for so many years, and Gloria and Daniel could not bear to send her away summarily. So, they let Norah stay, promising to help her find her family later.

In other words, they would need to spend some time under the same roof.

“Nice to meet you, Nicole.” Norah held out her hand with a friendly smile.

Nicole had a cold temperament and did not like physical contact with people. She was not too warmed up to seeing her parents again, let alone facing strangers. So, she ignored Norah’s hand and just nodded at her. “Nice to meet you.”

Norah’s hand stayed in the air, and she looked at Gloria and Daniel with a hint of hurt feeling in her eyes. It was like Nicole had bullied her.

Sean frowned. “Nicole is introverted. Please don’t mind.”

Norah bit her lip with a stoic but thoughtful look. “I understand. I have lived using her identity for so many years. She has a reason to hate me. I am fine, Sean.”

Norah’s words instantly had everyone’s attention on her.

“No, Norah, don’t overthink.” Gloria looked at Norah, feeling sorry for her. Even though Norah was not her biological daughter, she had raised her and still loved her.

Nicole smirked, hating to see Norah making a fuss while saying hello. This person was really interesting.

“You look hurt and assume that I hate you while saying hello. If it weren’t for the presence of my parents and brothers, they might have thought I bullied you.”

The other three people stayed silent upon hearing what Nicole said.

At first, Sean furrowed his brow when he heard what Norah had said. But now, his frown had eased up, and he looked with appreciation at his newfound sister in front of him.

Daniel also realized something, and he glanced at Norah and said, “Well, Nicole has just returned. Don’t get too sensitive.”

Norah bit her lip and glanced at Nicole.

At first, she thought that since Nicole was from the countryside, she must be a typical country bumpkin. But Nicole turned out to be extremely beautiful and a tough opponent.

Norah collected herself and immediately apologized. “It was my fault. I am sorry that I was being too sensitive. You are right, Nicole. I shouldn’t assume too much.”

Seeing Norah's tactful response, Nicole did not pursue the matter further. She looked back at the elders and asked, “Where is my room? I would like to unpack my stuff.”

Gloria got up with a smile. “On the second floor. Let me show you.”

“Thank you.” Nicole nodded and went upstairs with Gloria and Daniel.

The happy smile of the family of three stung Norah’s eyes.

Before Nicole returned, all the favors of her parents were hers. But now, when they knew she was not their biological daughter, they gave all their love to Nicole.

“Norah,” Sean suddenly spoke.

Norah immediately fought back the emotion in her eyes and smiled. “What’s up, Sean?”

Sean took a hard look at Norah, hoping that the dismal look he had just seen in her eyes was not true.

“Nicole has just returned. Your second brother and I are busy at work, and your third and fourth brothers are in school. I need you to take care of Nicole for a few days before she gets to her new school.”

It was Nicole again. Norah was upset but still put on a smile. “Sure, Sean. You can count on me.”

Sean was relieved. “I have also passed your DNA data to the police, and I believe there will be results soon. Don’t worry.”

“All right.” Norah’s voice was unnatural as hatred grew inside her. Were they so desperate to kick her out of the family so that they could be reunited as a family?

Norah gritted her teeth quietly as her resentment of Nicole grew even more.

Sean was really busy. He headed back to his office right afterward.

Gloria dragged Nicole into a room that faced east on the second floor. The corner of Nicole’s mouth twitched when she saw everything inside the room was rose pink, very girly.

“We don’t know what you like, but thinking that you are also a girl, we asked Norah for advice, and she chose many things here for you.” Gloria’s eyes were filled with tenderness when talking about Norah.

“Ahem.” Daniel was afraid that Nicole would think too much and quickly signaled to Gloria.

Gloria came to her senses and became cautious when she spoke. “Do you like it?”

Nicole had never been picky about these things. Just that things were a little over the top for her, but she still accepted their kindness. “Thank you.”

Gloria was relieved that her daughter still liked it, so she followed up and continued. “Those gifts on the table are from your other brothers. They have all gone to work and school today, usually not coming back often. So, they have left the gifts here in advance.”

It was so heartwarming to know that her brothers still had her at heart, Nicole thought.

Gloria was afraid that Nicole did not know how to use the facilities in the room, so she showed her how to. After that, she sat Nicole down on the bed with an avuncular look on her face. “This is your home, so please feel at ease. If you need anything, just tell me, okay?”

With her mother holding her hand, Nicole once again felt the closeness of this mother-daughter relationship. It felt a little uncomfortable, but it was also heartwarming. She could not help but nod her head awkwardly. “Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad.”

Daniel had said nothing, but he immediately broke out in a smile when Nicole called him Dad.

The two chatted for a while, and then they left Nicole alone so that she could rest up.

Nicole now felt extra relaxed lying in the bathtub.

She had always wanted to install a bathtub at her grandmother’s house but was afraid that her grandmother would be worried, thinking that her money came from an unknown source. So, she really had not gotten the chance to do it even though she had the money.

She could not take care of her grandmother anymore after coming to San Joto, but at least, she did not have to hide her identity anymore.

After taking a bath, it was not yet dinner time. Nicole planned to take a stroll outside to familiarize herself with the environment and make her work easier in the future.

But before she could leave, a maid approached and invited her to the living room.

As soon as she came downstairs, she saw an old man sitting on the sofa.

Daniel saw Nicole and immediately beckoned her over to sit down. “Nicole, this is your grandpa.”

Nicole had been living in a small town, but she had come into contact with many people, especially those from the upper social class.

The old man looked over seventy, but was still in good health. He had that authoritative persona typical of a patriarch of a family elder in him.

Nicole bowed her head slightly as she greeted Mr. Riddle Sr. with respect. “Hello, Grandpa.”

“Hmm.” Mr. Riddle Sr. responded, then studied Nicole carefully before retracting his gaze.

“She really looks like Sean and other brothers. I asked you to do a DNA test previously, but you didn’t listen.” Mr. Riddle Sr. did not mention who, but there was no difference from saying Norah’s name aloud. Yet he did not care but continued, “Since the real one is back now, when are you going to send the fake one away?”

Nicole was startled slightly. It looked like Mr. Riddle Sr. did not like Norah.

“Dad, what you said will hurt Norah dearly.” Gloria could not bear to hear that.

Mr. Riddle Sr. did not look at her. “If it were not for her, my granddaughter would not have lived out there for so many years. Our family has raised her for so many years, and we have never asked her to pay back. How can it hurt?”

Mr. Riddle Sr. knew what he was talking about, and that made Nicole respect him.

Daniel saw Norah’s awkward expression and said, “Norah, why don’t you return to your room first?”

“Okay.” As reluctant as Norah was, she did not want to stay here and get humiliated, so she hurried back to her room.

“Dad, Sean is in the midst of searching for Norah’s parents. She will be sent back to her parents once we find them.” Daniel tried to reassure Mr. Riddle Sr.

Mr. Riddle Sr. frowned. “Are you still keeping her at home if you can’t find her parents?”

Gloria was stunned for a moment, looking in a pickle. “Dad, I know that you are kind to us, but Norah has lived with us for so many years. I don’t want her to leave without a home.”

Nicole looked at Gloria, whose sincere expression told her that Gloria was a kind and soft-hearted person.

Mr. Riddle Sr. hesitated for a moment but still said resolutely, “Three months, at most three months, she must be sent away. I don’t want people to laugh at the Riddle family that we have raised children for others.”

Daniel understood Mr. Riddle Sr. 's concern and nodded. “Dad, don’t worry. I will find Norah’s parents soonest.”

Mr. Riddle Sr. nodded.

Meanwhile, no one noticed Norah was hiding in the corner upstairs, staring at Nicole angrily.

Mr. Riddle Sr. had never liked her from the beginning. Now that Nicole was back, she became a complete joke.

She would definitely make Mr. Riddle Sr. realize that she was a thousand times better than that country girl.

Mr. Riddle Sr. looked back at Nicole. The longer he looked, the more he liked her. After all, she was his biological granddaughter. When the other old guys talked about their granddaughters next time, he could finally join them and talk about his precious granddaughter.

“I heard you went to high school at Great Oak. How was your academic performance?”

“Dad, the quality of education in small towns is no way as good as ours here, so don’t put pressure on her.” Knowing Mr. Riddle Sr. was a straight talker, Gloria came to Nicole’s defense, afraid that the question was too hard for Nicole to handle.

After all, there was a vast difference between the quality of education in small towns and San Joto.

Mr. Riddle Sr. frowned upon hearing that. Gloria had a point. What good teachers could a school in a small town have?

Mr. Riddle Sr. took a deep breath, put down his teacup, and looked at Daniel with a serious face. “Arrange a school for Nicole as soon as possible. The children of the Riddle family should not be left behind.”

Nicole raised an eyebrow slightly as she could tell that Mr. Riddle Sr. was bold in his decision and quick in action, which was a trait she liked.

It was just that things like grades were…

Just then, Daniel had already made a guarantee. “I know, Dad. I will arrange it.”

Mr. Riddle Sr. nodded and looked at Nicole again. “I know the quality of education in small towns is not ideal, but all my grandchildren are in the top five of the grades in every exam. You can’t let me down, you know?”

Seeing that Mr. Riddle Sr. cared so much about results, Nicole had no choice. “Don’t worry, Grandpa.”

She would not want to lose face herself, even if it was not for him.

“Good girl.” Seeing Nicole’s confidence and decorum, Mr. Riddle Sr. was very happy. He ordered the family butler, “I will go back today, and in a few days, you are to take Nicole back to my house so everyone will have a meal together.”

Daniel and Gloria’s faces changed. “Dad... Is that necessary?”

Mr. Riddle Sr. had four sons. The eldest son was a business wizard, the second a business magnate, the third a banking giant. Only Daniel, because of poor health, had not been involved in the business of Riddle Corporation, but moved out early to have his own life. So was the reason his relationship with his three brothers was less close, and they rarely interacted with each other.

They would only head over to Mr. Riddle Sr.’s house during his birthday and festive seasons. Even then, every time they got together, Gloria and Daniel would inevitably be taunted by the other three couples. Gloria had had enough. Nicole’s return was a good thing, but the thought of her daughter having to face these people with her made her feel bad.

“Dad is right. Nicole has just returned, and all family members need to get to know each other,” Daniel said indifferently. “Besides, I plan to send Nicole to Royal Creek Institute, and I need eldest brother’s help.”

The Royal Creek Institute, divided into a university and a high school, was the most outstanding educational institution in San Joto, and the quality of education was guaranteed. Just that entry criteria were also high. Daniel wanted nothing less for his daughter, and so he was adamant about getting her into Royal Creek Institute.

“Is Royal Creek Institute good?” Nicole squinted slightly, not having much knowledge about this school. But she knew someone there, at least.

“Of course. It is the best school in San Joto. Your brothers are all attending that school. If you have also entered the high school of Royal Creek Institute, they can take care of you,” Daniel said affectionately.

“Royal Creek Institute is good, indeed. But... When Dad asked Damien to help Samuel get a place in the school last time, his wife was very reluctant. This time she would be even more reluctant, I guess,” Gloria said with concern. “Why don’t we think of another way?”

The Holder family also had some connections. Gloria had to give it a shot for the sake of her daughter.

“It is alright. Damien and his wife are trouble averse, but they are not bad people. They will just grouse about it. All I need is for Nicole to get a place in Royal Creek Institute.” Daniel whispered. He would do everything he could.

“Daniel…” Gloria was grateful, but it also pained her to see him having to do that.

Seeing her parents were willing to do anything for her, Nicole blinked, unsure if she should tell them she knew someone in Royal Creek Institute.

Just then, Mr. Riddle Sr. spoke. “Daniel is right. Damien will help. Even if they were reluctant to do it, Nicole still has my support. Fear not.”

Mr. Riddle Sr. spoke emphatically, his eyes completely filled with the look of a doting grandfather.

He would be thankful if his sons did not drive him to his early grave. Now that he had finally found his biological granddaughter, it was natural that he doted on her like a little princess.

Words choked in Nicole’s throat. For the first time in her life, she felt warmth from her family's protection. So, she had decided that she would figure it out for herself and would not want them to worry about her too much.

Mr. Riddle Sr. talked for a few moments about Nicole before reluctantly leaving without staying for dinner. After Mr. Riddle Sr. left, Daniel and Gloria went upstairs to rest.

Nicole then took out her phone, composed a text message, and sent it out.

Just when she was about to go upstairs, someone stood in her way.

“Did I hear it correctly when I was about to come downstairs that Dad and Mom were going to send you to the high school of Royal Creek Institute?”

Nicole silently stepped up a flight of steps to the left, on the same level as Norah, but pulled away some distance from her. She then nodded and said, “Is there a problem?”

“There isn’t a problem, just that you will only drag the feet of others in Royal Creek Institute if you are not good enough. It would not look good if you can’t keep up and overstretch yourself.”

Looking at Norah pretending to be concerned about her, Nicole smirked and said, “Oh, so what is your opinion?”

Nicole’s sudden outpouring of rowdiness threw Norah off-guard. Norah calmed herself down before saying, “Dad and Mom are going to great lengths to send you to the high school of Royal Creek Institute, but your poor grades will ruin it all. It would be better for you to propose to go to another school.”