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.”

If Nicole successfully entered the high school of Royal Creek Institute, she would be a sophomore just like her. What if they were in the same class? The thought of these made Norah sick.

“Don’t worry; I won’t let Dad and Mom worry about it. I can get into Royal Creek Institute by myself,” Nicole responded indifferently.

“What?” Norah was stunned. “How do you get in by yourself?”

She was just a high school student from the countryside, and she said she could enter Royal Creek Institute?

Was it not that she was just bragging?

“You don’t have to worry about that.” It was tiring to communicate with such a person. Nicole's smile faded from her face, and she went straight upstairs.

Norah looked at Nicole's back, her eyes full of indignation. “I would want to see how you, a country girl, could get into Royal Creek Institute.”

The next day was the weekend. Nicole got up early to go for a morning run.

This was her habit for many years. After the morning run, she found a quiet place and started practicing her skills. She needed constant practice to keep her skills in a tip-top state.

It was almost seven when she returned. As soon as she entered the door, Norah saw that Gloria and Daniel were already waiting for her, and Norah was also standing beside them.

“Where have you been? Dad and Mom were worried about you when they saw you were not here.” Norah saw Nicole approaching and spoke out to blame her preemptively.

Nicole frowned incomprehensibly. “I just went out for a morning run. Is there anything urgent?”

Gloria was relieved. “No wonder. Exercise is indeed a good habit.”

But Norah would not easily take that for an answer. “No matter what I did before, I would tell Dad and Mom in advance so that they would not worry about me. You need to take care of Mom’s feelings, you know?”

Norah effortlessly brought the topic back.

“You all had not gotten up when I went out for morning exercise. Besides, I told the family butler.” Nicole looked nonchalantly at Norah, wanting to see what other charges Norah could dish out at her.

“But—”

“It is just a small matter. There is no need to make a fuss about it. Let’s all sit down and have breakfast.” Danial suddenly interrupted before Norah could continue.

Norah’s face changed dramatically. In the past, she used to joke like this, grumbling about her brothers for making their parents worry about them, and her father had never reproved her like this.

But everything changed after Nicole returned. Feeling hurt, Norah suddenly said, “Does Dad think I am nosy? But I have been doing this all this while. Did I do it wrong?”

Norah was born with an adorable face and looked pitiful as soon as her eyes welled up. Daniel could not help but wonder if he had said things too harshly.

But Nicole, who was standing on the sidelines, had lost patience with Norah’s acting. “You did the right thing, but I am not a replica of you.”

What Nicole said caused Daniel and Gloria to remember that they must accept the difference between Nicole and Norah.

“Nicole is right. Mom will not treat you like a replica of anyone, as long as you are happy to be yourself.” Gloria reached out to help Nicole sort her sideburns. She only wanted her daughter to be happy, and nothing else mattered.

But all this looked different in Norah's eyes.

Before this, she would try to do her best, trying to please Gloria and Daniel in whatever she did, as she was afraid that such a good life would just be a dream. When the dream ended, she would return to the previous hard days.

Now, her fears had come true. Their biological daughter was back, and they indulged Nicole, no matter what she did. But what about her? Had all her previous efforts been in vain?

Norah felt miserable and no longer cared to keep her image as a good elder sister. She turned around and said, “Mom, Dad, please enjoy your meal, but I will have to go upstairs first.”

“Norah...” Gloria tried to stop her, but Daniel stopped her, motioning for her to take care of Nicole’s feelings.

Afraid that Nicole would feel left out in the cold, Gloria stayed and looked at Nicole. “Look at you, you are drenched in sweat. Go get changed, and then come down for breakfast.”

“Okay.” Nicole did not want to make her parents’ life any harder, either, so she turned and went upstairs.

Seeing that both daughters were gone, Daniel said, “Do you now know why Dad asked you to send Norah away earlier?”

Nobody is a saint. Facing their own daughter, who they had lost for many years, and the adopted daughter, who had stayed with them and enjoyed a good life for many years, inevitably, there will be favoritism and imbalance. What Mr. Riddle Sr. was trying to do was to protect both sides. He did not want to see the relationship between the Riddle family and Norah of so many years end up breaking.

“Now I know.” Sadness filled Gloria’s eyes.

The longer Norah stayed, the sadder everyone would be.

After lunch, Gloria brought Nicole to go shopping at the mall. Because Nicole had so few belongings. Gloria was afraid that Nicole was being too considerate and stubborn, not wanting to request for anything. She did not want Nicole to feel unfairly treated.

Norah was also accompanying them. As soon as they entered the mall, Norah gleefully picked up clothes and bags as if she had forgotten entirely about what happened in the morning.

“Mom, do you think I look good in this dress?”

“Absolutely. Nicole, why don’t you pick some for yourself?” Gloria was still mindful of what happened in the morning, afraid of neglecting Norah while snubbing Nicole. She had to keep a delicate balance.

Knowing that Gloria was caught between a rock and a hard place, Nicole asked her to accompany Norah while she browsed the clothes in the store by herself. She always liked things simple yet decent, but this boutique that Norah had come to was selling flashy clothes. So, Nicole just browsed for a short while and said, “Mom, I want to go somewhere else.”