Chapter 2

“Oh, isn’t this the minor celebrity Kim?” Suddenly, a surprised young boy exclaimed, his eyes filled with absolute astonishment as if he couldn’t believe he would encounter a celebrity here.

The boy’s loud exclamation drew a crowd as everyone rushed over, all gathered in this direction.

Liliana felt a headache coming on. Her daughter had only appeared on TV once, and now she was treated like a celebrity. Moreover, the last time they appeared together, how could people not recognize her?

Mei smirked and let go of Liliana’s hand. He removed his dark sunglasses, and for a moment, his beauty stunned everyone. They blinked and temporarily forgot about searching for Kim.

At this moment, Liliana led Kim away.

“Could you all help me find my way? I just got separated from my mom, and it would be great if you could give me some directions,” Mei spoke while feigning a pitiful look with teary eyes as if he were about to cry.

The people around softened instantly, and some young girls even offered tissues to Mei. One little girl couldn’t resist and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Mom, big brother is acting all pitiful with the girls. Taking advantage of their sympathy,” Kim, sitting in the car, exclaimed with a hint of disdain.

“Isn’t it because he was trying to save those two? Didn’t you see how he sacrificed his looks for that girl’s forced kiss?” Mei rushed to the car’s door, and Liliana drove away like the wind.

Kim raised her head arrogantly. “Weren’t you saying you enjoyed getting kissed by the girls? What’s with this sweet feeling like eating candy?”

Mei chuckled mischievously and suddenly leaned closer to Kim, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

“My Kim seems to get jealous, so here’s a kiss for you.” Mei acted as if it were all real.

Kim glared at him in anger. He stole her moment, and now he accused her of being jealous as if she were stealing something from him.

“Mei, listen to me. When you visit Aunt Anna’s place, behave, okay?” Liliana smiled as she drove. After six years, she hadn’t spoken a word to Anna. Now that she had returned, she didn’t know how Anna would react.

Her phone rang, and Liliana picked it up. It was Kai calling. She gently smiled; she hadn’t spoken a word to him on her way here, so he must be anxious. Without him, she wouldn’t have been able to cope with the past few years, so she was truly grateful to Kai.

“Liliana! Where are you?” Kai sounded extremely worried.

Liliana was slightly surprised. She had never expected Kai to be this angry.

“I’m back, and I…” Liliana began, but suddenly, there was a loud ‘pop.’ It sounded as if a cell phone had been smashed. Why was he suddenly so angry? Was it because she had left secretly?

Liliana sighed, looking at the villa in front of her. She would explain to Kai later. Right now, she needed to find her best friend, Anna, first and provide a place for the two kids to stay.

Liliana parked the car outside the gate. Before she could knock, a slender figure came out. As the figure approached, Liliana could see the handsome man more clearly, and she almost took a deep breath.

A remarkably handsome man with chiseled features and brown hair, a few wrinkles between his dark eyebrows. His eyes were deep, his straight nose regal, and his lips thin and seductive, like a prince from a fairy tale.

The man glanced briefly at Liliana, his deep pupils flashing a hint of uncertainty. She was just a beautiful woman, and he barely noticed the children beside her. He quickly led his assistant away as if he had something urgent to attend to.

It was his assistant who couldn’t resist turning to look at the children beside Liliana. The little boy and the young master indeed looked strikingly similar, especially with their bright and intelligent eyes.

When Anna saw Liliana, her eyes widened, and they grew even larger when she saw the two kids beside her.

Thinking of her own brother, Kai, who had always had a soft spot for Liliana, Anna wondered how he’d react if he saw these two kids now.

“Liliana! Where have you been all these years? Do you have any idea how close I was to turning the whole city upside down? Do you even know how thrilled I am that you’re back?” Anna exclaimed angrily.

Liliana knew of Anna’s temper; she could get excited like this one moment and be as soft as she could be the next.

“I’m truly sorry,” Liliana said, trying to sum up all the explanations in just one sentence. Anna’s heart was just that tender.

Kim’s big, sparkling eyes blinked rapidly, and she smiled brightly while holding Anna’s hand. “Aunt Anna is so beautiful, just like your name,” she deliberately complimented Anna.

Anna suddenly felt a soft and chubby hand on hers, and she looked down to see Kim holding her hand. The little girl looked just like Liliana, and a wave of emotion washed over Anna. She picked Kim up affectionately and planted a kiss on her cheek. Kim was too cute, and Liliana had returned because of these two kids.

Then Anna noticed Mei, who was staring at her with wide eyes. Oh, how could there be such a breathtakingly beautiful child in the world? The little one Liliana had given birth to was undoubtedly a rare gem.

“Auntie Anna, do you want to give me a kiss, too?” Mei unexpectedly flashed a smile.

Liliana, witnessing the scene, could only shake her head in resignation. Her child was radiant wherever she went, radiating light in the darkness.

“Let’s go inside and talk some more. I’m throwing a welcoming party for you, but my brother has already left the house. If he knew you were back, he’d be so excited that he wouldn’t even sleep,” Anna said excitedly, but she cast an unusual glance at the two exceptionally beautiful children.

Once everything was arranged properly, Anna and Liliana sat in the living room while the two kids immediately went to the bedroom to play with the computer.

Liliana knew Anna was concerned about her, but there were things she couldn’t share, and she had to keep them to herself. Speaking about it would likely result in losing both children, and there was no way she could explain anything.

“You probably haven’t met your father yet, have you? He’s in jail because of heavy debts and usury, and he’s serving a long sentence.” Anna’s face became heavier when she talked about Liliana’s father. Andrew had come looking for her years ago, asking about Liliana’s whereabouts, but she truly didn’t know, and even if she did, she wouldn’t tell him. Andrew had done terrible things to Liliana, and she didn’t deserve to suffer any further.

Liliana’s petite face twitched briefly, but she quickly resumed her calm demeanor. Six years ago, when she gave Andrew fifteen billion, she had made it clear to him that their relationship as father and daughter was severed from that point on. She would find her mother from now on, and he had forced her mother to leave. Still, hearing that he was in jail, she couldn’t help but feel a hint of sadness.

“Go see him, please.” Anna understood Liliana’s feelings. She was indeed a very filial daughter. If it weren’t for her father, she would have changed her destiny with her achievements from back then.

Liliana bit her lip, and her face turned even paler. “I’ll look for a job tomorrow. We can talk about his situation later.” Liliana didn’t even call him ‘father’ now, and her heart had grown cold for Andrew.

Anna glanced at Liliana, intending to ask about the kids, but she could tell from Liliana’s face that she wanted her to leave this topic alone.

Anna sighed and let it go. If Liliana didn’t want to discuss it, no amount of questioning would change that.