Chapter 142 The Truth One Is Unwilling to Admit
Chapter 142 The Truth One Is Unwilling to Admit
Three days later.
Golden Hour's new season collection exploded across the country.
Sales at every retail location skyrocketed. The online flagship store's inventory sold out completely, and restocking couldn't keep pace with the flood of orders.
Across social media platforms, countless fashion bloggers spontaneously recommended Golden Hour's designs. The buzz showed no signs of dying down.
Meanwhile, thanks to the recently renegotiated partnership with Everlane, Golden Hour's overseas distribution channels opened wide.
The first batch of collaborative trench coats to enter international markets through authorized channels hit the bestseller charts in multiple countries within days of launching.
That season's revenue shattered every sales record Golden Hour had set since its founding.
When Violet reported the news to Eleanor, even her voice trembled with excitement.
Eleanor felt a weight lift from her chest.
Soon enough, she threw herself back into designing the next season's collection.
But Ryder and Serenity weren't nearly as composed.
When the news reached them, they were so thrilled they barely slept that night.
Serenity clutched her phone, reading and rereading media coverage over and over, unable to wipe the smile from her face.
"Sweetheart, our daughter is absolutely brilliant! Did you see? Every article is singing her praises!"
Pride saturated every word.
Ryder nodded, but his expression grew serious. "Serenity, I think... it's time."
Serenity immediately understood what her husband meant.
All this time, they'd kept Eleanor's return to the Mitchell family private.
Partly to protect their daughter—to let her settle into her new life without the media circus, to give her space to adjust.
Partly to shield her from public scrutiny and unnecessary pressure.
But circumstances had changed.
Eleanor had proven herself through sheer talent, achieving something truly remarkable. If they announced her identity now, everyone's attention would focus on her brilliance. No one would dare question whether she deserved to be the Mitchell family's daughter. The facts spoke for themselves.
She was worthy.
Serenity didn't hesitate. She nodded in agreement. "Alright. I'll contact the media right away."
When the Mitchell family released the news, they took protective measures—no photos, only Eleanor's name and her recent achievements.
Even so, that name alone sent shockwaves through all of Sovereign City.
People finally learned that the Mitchell family had recently found their long-lost biological daughter.
And this real heiress had, single-handedly, resurrected a failing fashion company and set unprecedented sales records.
Shortly after, the Mitchell family announced they would host an elaborate Recognition Banquet in one week to celebrate their daughter's return.
That announcement set Sovereign City's elite abuzz.
The notoriously low-key Mitchell family was pulling out all the stops—clear proof of how deeply they cherished this daughter.
Prominent families immediately began racking their brains, trying to figure out what gifts might leave a lasting impression at the Recognition Banquet.
The Brown family received the news as well.
Initially, Jack and Grace paid it little mind.
After all, even back when the Browns still had some standing, they couldn't get anywhere near a top-tier family like the Mitchells.
Much less now, in their current state.
Drowning in debt, on the verge of losing the company—they had no energy to spare for some billionaire family's Recognition Banquet.
That morning, Jack sat at breakfast as usual, casually flipping through the newspaper.
Suddenly, he shot up from his chair.
Grace flinched so hard she nearly dropped her utensils.
"What are you doing?" She clutched her chest, snapping irritably. "Scaring people half to death first thing in the morning!"
But Jack seemed not to hear her at all.
He stared at the newspaper in his hands, fingers trembling uncontrollably, face ashen.
The paper carried a feature about the Mitchell family.
The headline dominated the page. No photo, but the article clearly stated the heiress's name and accomplishments.
A name he knew all too well.
Eleanor.
Across the table, Sophia watched her father's panicked expression, too frightened to speak.
Jack's hands shook harder and harder.
He never could have imagined seeing this in the newspaper.
The Mitchell family heiress reviving a fashion company, breaking sales records...
Every word made sense individually, but strung together they seemed utterly absurd.
How could Eleanor possibly be the Mitchell family's daughter?
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
He'd investigated thoroughly. Her biological parents were poor people on government assistance. How could she suddenly transform into the daughter of Sovereign City's wealthiest family?
Seeing him silent for so long, face drained of color while staring at the paper, Grace grew puzzled.
She frowned and leaned closer. "What's wrong? What's in that newspaper that's got you so spooked?"
Jack snapped back to awareness and shoved the paper into Grace's hands, voice hoarse. "You... see for yourself! Tell me if that's Eleanor's name. Is it or isn't it!"
Grace glanced down. Her expression froze instantly.
The article clearly identified the Mitchell family heiress as Eleanor.
It even mentioned she'd only recently been found by the Mitchell family—that she'd grown up in another household and had now achieved success in the fashion industry through her own efforts.
Grace's heart sank.
But she still refused to accept it.
"Impossible!" she shrieked, slamming the paper onto the table. "That bitch Eleanor should be rotting in some slum! How could she possibly have anything to do with the Mitchell family? It must be someone with the same name! There are tons of people with identical names in this world—why does it have to be her?"
Jack's brow furrowed deeply.
"But what are the odds? We just kicked her out of the Brown family, and suddenly the Mitchell family announces they've found their long-lost daughter—with the exact same name? Think about it. What are the chances of that kind of coincidence?"
Grace found herself speechless, panic rising in her chest.
But she still wouldn't admit it.
"Absolutely not! If she really were the Mitchell family heiress, why didn't she say so when we threw her out?"
"And that person the Mitchell family sent to pick her up—didn't they drive some beat-up ice cream truck? Where was anything remotely resembling a billionaire family in that?"
Hearing his wife's stubborn denial, Jack felt his temper flare.
"Shut up!" he barked. "At a time like this, you're still lying to yourself!"
Grace jerked back, then her own anger ignited. "Why are you yelling at me? What does this have to do with me? You didn't stop us from kicking her out either! Now you're having regrets and trying to pin all the blame on me?"
The two of them went at it, neither willing to back down, voices rising until even the servants shrank into the corners.
Sophia felt her temples throb.
She couldn't take it anymore. She slammed her hand on the table and stood.
"Stop it!"