Chapter 6
"Just something I did on the side." Seraphine's tone was casual.
The butler, Zane, walked in carrying tea. When he saw the changes in the main hall, his expression shifted slightly.
"This…" He hesitated, his eyes complicated.
These arrangements had all been personally set up by Ondine Windsor.
Although Ondine was only an adopted daughter, she'd lived with the Windsor family for over a decade and was deeply loved by Wesley and Valencia. Most household matters were left to her discretion.
Now the biological daughter had just returned and immediately changed Ondine's arrangements. This…
Zane opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but seeing that Wesley and Valencia had no objections, he swallowed his words.
Valencia pulled Seraphine down to sit beside her, speaking carefully. "Sera, there's something I need to explain to you."
Seraphine picked up her teacup, her expression calm. "Go ahead."
"What happened back then—it wasn't just two families who had their babies switched. It was three." Valencia sighed. "The day you were born, there were three women in labor at the hospital at the same time. Besides me, there was your adoptive mother Haven, and another woman named Lavien."
"All three families' babies were switched."
Seraphine paused mid-sip.
"You're my biological daughter, but you were taken to the Wipere family. The Wipere family's biological daughter, Xiomara, was taken to the Lavien family. And the Lavien family's daughter…" Valencia hesitated. "She was brought to us. That's Ondine Windsor."
Seraphine set down her teacup without a word.
"Ondi has lived with us for over a decade. Even though we're not her biological parents, we've raised her like our own daughter all these years." Valencia looked into Seraphine's eyes, speaking cautiously. "Sera, I know this is incredibly unfair to you. You're our biological daughter, yet you spent twenty years out there, enduring so much hardship. While Ondi took your place and enjoyed everything that should have been yours…"
"Mom." Seraphine cut her off. "What are you trying to say?"
Valencia's eyes reddened as she gripped Seraphine's hand tightly. "Sera, Ondi's biological parents… they're not in a good situation. Her biological father is disabled and farms in the countryside. Her biological mother is a compulsive gambler who's racked up massive debts and is now hiding somewhere. If we send her back, her life will be ruined."
Wesley took over, his voice low. "Sera, we're not trying to make things difficult for you. Ondi has lived with us for over a decade. We have feelings for her. But she's not Windsor blood. You're the true daughter of the Windsor family. Everything in this house—including who stays and who doesn't—should be decided by you."
He paused, looking into Seraphine's eyes with sincerity. "So I want to ask you—are you willing to let Ondi continue living with the Windsor family? If you're not, we'll arrange a good situation for her and make sure she never wants for food or shelter. But she won't live in the house anymore."
Seraphine was silent for a few seconds.
She thought of the card Ryder had offered at the end. Of Xiomara's smug face. Of Haven pointing at her nose, calling her an "ungrateful leech."
She also thought of Clayton's unhesitating "I trust you." Of Valencia's warm embrace.
A family willing to ask for her input couldn't be all bad.
"I don't have a problem with it," Seraphine said flatly. "Whether she stays or goes doesn't matter to me."
Wesley and Valencia exchanged glances, both exhaling in relief. Their eyes filled with warmth and heartache.
Their daughter's indifferent demeanor—she must have learned to protect herself with coldness after enduring so much mistreatment at the Wipere family.
"Sera, thank you." Valencia's eyes reddened again. "Thank you for being so understanding."
Seraphine said nothing more.
She wasn't being understanding. She genuinely didn't care.
Whether Ondine was good or bad didn't matter to her. As long as she didn't cross Seraphine's boundaries, she couldn't be bothered.
Just then, footsteps echoed from outside.
"Dad, Mom, I'm home!"
A girl in a Chanel suit walked in—makeup flawless, demeanor graceful.
Ondine.
She wore a smile, but the moment she saw Seraphine, it froze. "Mom, Dad, who's this?"
Valencia quickly waved her over. "Ondi, this is mine and your father's… biological daughter."
They really found her?
Ondine's fingers clenched tightly, nails digging into her palms.
She'd known about her origins for a while now.
Three years ago, she'd accidentally discovered she wasn't the Windsor family's biological daughter.
She'd followed the trail, found Seraphine, and looked into the Wipere family's background.
A small-time wealthy family at the town level. Compared to the Windsors, they weren't even worth mentioning.
Ondine had made up her mind right then—she absolutely could not let the Windsor family find their real daughter.
She'd interfered with the family's investigation from the shadows, keeping them from tracking down Seraphine.
She thought she could hide it forever.
But Seraphine had still come back.
"Ondi, come here." Valencia smiled and beckoned her over. "This is your older sister, Seraphine."
Ondine took a deep breath, plastered a smile back on her face, and walked over, extending her hand to Seraphine.
"Seraphine, you're finally home! I've been waiting for you for so long!"
Her voice was sweet and soft, her eyes eager. Anyone who saw her would think she was a good sister genuinely welcoming her sibling home.
Seraphine glanced down at the hand holding hers. Her lips curved slightly.
Interesting.
The girl's hand was trembling. Malice flickered briefly in her eyes. But the smile on her face was flawless.
"Hello," Seraphine said evenly.
Ondine turned back to Wesley and Valencia, her eyes misting over. "Dad, Mom, now that Seraphine's back… will you not want me anymore?"
"Silly child, what are you saying?" Valencia pulled her into a hug, her voice full of affection. "You'll always be our daughter."
Ondine buried her face in Valencia's embrace, her voice choked with tears. "I'm so scared… I'm scared that once Seraphine comes back, you won't love me anymore…"
"No, no, that won't happen." Valencia patted her back soothingly.
Wesley also showed a rare tender expression. "Ondi, your sister just got back. You should take good care of her."
"Of course!" Ondine lifted her head, wiped away her tears, and flashed Seraphine a bright smile. "Seraphine, let me show you to your room. I decorated it myself!"
Seraphine looked at those teary, smiling eyes and suddenly thought of Xiomara.
Xiomara had used schemes and false accusations. Ondine, on the other hand, was using retreat-as-advance and playing the victim.
Different methods. Same essence.
Interesting.
Just as she was about to speak, Zane walked in. "Mr. Windsor, Mrs. Windsor, the design master you invited has arrived."
Wesley's eyes lit up. "Show them in!"
He turned to Seraphine to explain. "Sera, we know you studied fashion design at the Wipere family. We specially invited an internationally renowned design master to be your private tutor. This master rarely takes students. We went through a lot of trouble to get them here."
Seraphine raised an eyebrow.
An internationally renowned design master?
Before long, a middle-aged man in casual wear walked in. He had an elegant air and wore gold-rimmed glasses.
He entered with a smile. "Mr. Windsor, Mrs. Windsor, it's an honor…"
He stopped mid-sentence.
He'd seen Seraphine.
His smile froze instantly.
His eyes went wide as saucers.
His lips began to tremble.
How did the boss become the daughter of the richest family?