Chapter 89 Suspicious Similarities
Connor and Mia were about to be dragged into the small grove by Barry and Tessa when Victoria, who had been taking an evening stroll through Oakridge Estates after dinner, was drawn to their cries for help.
She hurried toward them, quickly taking in the scene of Barry and Tessa attempting to pull the two children into the trees. Mia was struggling and calling for help. When she spotted Victoria approaching, she immediately pleaded for assistance.
"Ma'am, please help us!" Mia cried out.
"Ma'am, these people are trying to kidnap us! Please help!"
Victoria had initially approached out of curiosity, but was startled when the little girl who looked remarkably similar to her granddaughter Lily called out to her. The soft, sweet voice sounded exactly like Lily's.
Victoria's grandmother instincts immediately kicked in. She confronted Barry and Tessa, "Who are you? Why are you dragging children around in this residential area?"
"Release these children immediately, or I'm calling the police." Victoria pulled out her phone and pretended to dial emergency services.
Barry and Tessa had come to Oakridge Estates to damage Elena's reputation, but they certainly didn't want to deal with the police. When they saw Victoria about to make the call, the couple released Connor and Mia and quickly fled in the opposite direction.
After they left, Victoria approached the children. She had previously only glimpsed Mia's face and noticed her resemblance to Lily. Now, looking at Connor standing beside Mia, she was even more struck by the similarity. Connor was Lily's double, just a boy.
"Thank you for helping us," Mia said politely. "If it weren't for you, those bad people would have taken me and my brother away. Thank you."
Mia's gratitude delighted Victoria. Though not usually inquisitive, she couldn't help but ask these two adorable children some questions.
"Children, what do your parents do for a living?"
Mia, who had taken a liking to Victoria, answered, "We don't have a father. Our mother is a doctor."
"No father?" Victoria's face registered curiosity.
Connor added, "That's right. We never had one, not since we were born."
Victoria felt embarrassed hearing this. Such wonderful children without a father seemed terribly sad to her.
She comforted them and advised them not to wander around the estate alone. If they wanted to play outside, they should always do so with adult supervision. The children nodded obediently.
Just as Victoria was hoping to learn more from the children, Bronte, who had prepared dinner, came looking for them. Unable to find them at the playground, she was anxiously calling out.
"Connor! Mia! Where are you? Dinner's ready!"
Hearing Bronte's calls, they quickly said goodbye to Victoria and hurried home.
Watching the direction they departed, Victoria was curious about the family living at the end of the estate. Who lived there? Who was Connor and Mia's mother? What kind of doctor was she? How could a single mother afford such an upscale residence? Was someone supporting her?
The questions multiplied in Victoria's mind.
When Connor and Mia returned home, Charlotte was still there. Bronte had set dinner on the table, and everyone gathered to eat.
Elena remained quiet throughout the meal. Charlotte, the children's godmother, did most of the talking.
She looked at the children's clothes and made a suggestion to Elena. "Elena, you've been so busy with work since returning to Pinewood City. I haven't seen you buy any new clothes for the children."
Elena glanced at her children, still wearing the outfits they'd brought back from abroad. She nodded, "Work has been hectic. I'll order some online tomorrow."
Hearing Elena's plan to buy clothes online, Charlotte frowned slightly.
"That won't do," she objected. "The children are young with sensitive skin. Even brand-name clothes online don't seem safe to me."
"I'm free tomorrow morning. I'll come pick them up and take them shopping for some proper outfits."
Fashion-conscious Mia enthusiastically raised her hand in agreement. "Godmother is the best! Godmother rules!"
"Godmother, I've grown taller and my old clothes are too tight now. I need lots of pretty new ones," she added.
Seeing Mia's adorable expression, Charlotte tapped her lightly on the head.
"Alright, little one. Tomorrow I'll take you shopping and buy out the entire children's department. You can have whatever you want."
Impressed by Charlotte's generosity, Mia couldn't help but flatter her. "Godmother, you're so generous! You're literally my dream mom!"
Mia's comment about her "dream mom" made everyone chuckle.
Charlotte quickly redirected, "Don't be too quick to praise me. Your mom's paying for it. She's my boss, after all."
Learning her mother was funding the shopping spree, Mia gave Charlotte a playfully judgmental look for her false generosity.
The family enjoyed a lively dinner together.
Meanwhile, at the Frost estate, Victoria's earlier questions about Connor and Mia resurfaced. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that those children looked identical to Lily.
If she hadn't known Lily was in the hospital, she might have mistaken those children for her granddaughter. How could there be children who looked so identical?
Victoria felt certain these children must have some connection to her family.
Just as this thought crossed her mind, Harrison returned from the hospital and entered the room.
"Mother, it's late. Why aren't you in bed yet?"
Victoria stood up and asked, "How's Lily? How is she doing?"
Harrison replied reassuringly, "Don't worry. Dr. Parker says Lily is recovering well. She should be out of the ICU in less than three days."
After speaking, Harrison removed his coat and hung it on the rack by the door. As he did so, the hickey on his neck was briefly exposed.