Chapter 172

Chapter 172

Hannah brought Wendy back to Bay City.

Wendy was a little nervous. She had never met anyone from the Green family before, and her sudden appearance had taken away some benefits that others in the family had been expecting. She wasn't sure whether the elders would accept her.

"Don't be nervous. Grandpa and the others are all very nice. They've been looking forward to having you back," Hannah said, trying to comfort her.

Wendy nodded and tried to calm herself down.

Soon the car arrived in Bay City. The local media had already been running stories about the Green family's search for their daughter, and people were talking about it everywhere.

Aurora and Mandy were both unhappy about it, but Jeffrey had already made it clear to them — no causing trouble, or they wouldn't see a single penny. Afraid of losing the security that came with being part of the Green family, neither of them dared to make a scene.

Sure, they were jealous. Now that Wendy had been recognized, she would be the most cherished daughter and get everything. But being jealous wasn't going to change anything. Wendy had been missing for so many years and had been through so much — it was only right that she be compensated.

"Mom, just let it go," Aurora sighed. "The Green family hasn't treated us badly. We've gotten plenty. Everything they're giving her was always meant for Alice anyway. No matter how hard we fight for it, we'll never get it. Don't end up losing more than we gain."

After all these years of fighting, nothing had come of it. She was already lucky to be part of the Green family. How could she keep reaching for things that were never hers to begin with?

Aurora had made her peace with it.

Mandy frowned and said nothing, lost in her own thoughts.

"Mom, please don't do anything stupid," Aurora urged. "Grandpa just transferred a lot of money and assets to us to make it up to us — and honestly, that's only because of Alice. Don't throw that away. You could end up with nothing."

She knew Mandy had been fighting her whole life and wouldn't give up easily. But Alice was back now, and there was no point fighting anymore.

Better to settle down and be content. They already had more than enough to live comfortably.

Aurora had learned to appreciate what she had during her months in Novaria. She had watched with her own eyes as William pushed Tom out of the company with nothing to show for it. Managing a company should go to whoever is most capable, and William's abilities were obvious to everyone. Staying in line and benefiting from the family was the smart move. But Tom had wanted more — more money, more power — and ended up with nothing.

Aurora had thought it all through clearly. She planned to build a good relationship with Alice. As long as Alice was happy, everyone in the family would be fine.

She had no idea whether Mandy was actually listening. Aurora let out a long sigh and decided not to say any more.

By now, Wendy had arrived at the Green family estate. Hannah led her to a room, and Wendy was stunned by what she saw.

The room was large and warm, decorated entirely like a princess's room, full of things any girl would love, and spotlessly clean.

"This room was put together even before you were born," Hannah said, her eyes glistening with tears. "It's been here ever since. Every year I've added something new to it. I don't know if you'll like it now, but I want you to know — no one else has ever lived in this room. It has always been yours."

She had imagined it so many times — her daughter moving in, how happy she would be. She would knock softly on the door in the morning, give Alice a good-morning kiss, help her get up and dressed. At night, she would tell her stories and tuck her in.

So many years had been lost between them. But Alice was back now.

Alice was back.

Wendy was so moved that she wrapped her arms around Hannah. "Thank you, Mom. I love it."

All these years, she had been loved quietly from a distance. Someone's love for her had never faded, not even once.

Wendy couldn't hold back her tears anymore. They fell like beads off a broken string.

Edward walked in to find the two of them hugging and crying. "What happened now? What's going on?" he asked, flustered, pacing back and forth with no idea how to help.

Hannah laughed through her tears. "Nothing's wrong. We're just feeling emotional. What do you need?"

"Dad says to get dressed up. There's media at the dinner tonight — he wants to announce something important," Edward said.

Hannah looked puzzled. "What kind of announcement?"

Wendy wiped her tears, feeling anxious again. She had just arrived, and everything already seemed to revolve around her. She felt a little bad about causing so much fuss for the family.

Edward shrugged. "No idea. We'll just have to hear what Dad says."

The styling team had already arrived. Aurora ran into them downstairs and brought them up to Wendy's room.

"Alice, are you in?" Aurora knocked on the door.

"Coming." Wendy opened it to find Aurora standing there with a smile.

"I ran into your styling team downstairs, so I brought them up," Aurora said.

Wendy could sense Aurora's awkwardness. She smiled and warmly pulled her inside.

She had only crossed paths with Aurora briefly on her earlier visit to the Green family and didn't know her well. She also didn't know much about the things Mandy had done. Since Aurora was reaching out, there was no reason to make an enemy of her.

"Come in. I'm a little nervous, actually. Aurora, can you tell me about the elders in the family? It would really help me get to know them," Wendy said, letting her guard down first and asking for Aurora's help.

Aurora visibly relaxed. "Of course. I'll tell you everything."

The two of them talked for over half an hour, with laughter drifting out of the room every now and then.

Hannah stood outside the door listening, nodding with a warm smile. Aurora was turning out to be far more sensible than Mandy.

By the time they were done, Wendy's look was nearly finished and her gown had been pressed and ready.

"Alice, you look stunning," Aurora said with genuine admiration.

Wendy really did look like someone the universe had smiled upon — big, round eyes with a slightly lifted liner that mixed sweetness with a quiet elegance, all set in a soft oval face. It was hard to look away.

Wendy smiled. "Let them do your look too. You've been keeping me company this whole time."

Aurora shook her head quickly. "No, no, I can't. This team was arranged for you. It's not my place."

Everything in this house that was meant for Wendy was the best of the best. Aurora knew she had no right to it, and she respected that.

"It's fine. Think of it as a thank-you for the crash course you just gave me," Wendy said, pulling Aurora into the chair.

Aurora couldn't really say no after that. "Thank you," she said softly.

She knew exactly who this styling team was — they worked with top celebrities, and a single session cost hundreds of thousands. Hannah had hired them specially for Wendy.

Aurora watched herself in the mirror, slowly being transformed, and felt a sting behind her eyes. It only made her more certain — she was going to stand by Wendy.

And Wendy was nothing like what Mandy had made her out to be. She was just a gentle, kind older sister.

The two of them chatted easily while getting ready, and before long, evening had arrived.

Out in the garden of the estate, everything was set. All that was left was for the guest of honor to appear.