Mrs. Rugger paused, “Are you going to look for your relatives, then?”
Elisa replied, “No, I’m not going to. They must have their own lives, and I shouldn’t disturb them.”
She hadn’t sought them out before her amnesia, and she had even less desire to do so now. Besides, what would it accomplish even if she found them?
Since they had abandoned her, they had never considered acknowledging her. Meeting them would only add to the awkwardness.
Mrs. Rugger, feeling a pang of sympathy, gently stroked her hair, “Do you hate them?”
“I don’t know,” Elisa fell into confusion, “I can’t remember anything now. I don’t know what kind of life I had before losing my memory. If it was terrible, I should hate them for giving birth to me and then not wanting me.”
“If I had a child, I would definitely take good care of them and never abandon them.” Because of the lack of affection, she now particularly hoped to have a child, but… thinking of the pill Hamish had fed her, Elisa smiled bitterly. Perhaps she would never have her own child in this lifetime.
Mrs. Rugger looked at her weary expression and couldn’t help but sigh. After Elisa fell asleep, she carefully cleaned up the cake and clothes on the carpet, then carried the remaining food downstairs.
…
Hamish drove towards North Bankshire.
North Bankshire was where he had lived for twenty years, the Burns family’s old mansion. The residents there now included Old Burns and Finn.
He had returned once three years ago, thinking he would never come back to this place in his lifetime.
The memories the Burns family brought to Hamish were nothing but coldness, where the powerful always prevailed, and life was a constant struggle for property.
The one who proved to be the most capable would ultimately gain the entire share of the Burns family’s estate. His own parents had died because of this contest over ten years ago.
Hamish found the Burns family’s rules disgusting. He had no interest in their wealth. Thus, as his wings grew stronger, he left Chiwood without looking back and spent seven years becoming the wealthiest man in Bankshire.
Those in power can have anything, but they can’t afford to have vulnerabilities. During those twenty years in Chiwood, he had never experienced affection, not even his parents’ love, so he had no understanding of what emotions felt like.
He made himself formidable and invincible, lacking nothing except love. Elisa had given him love. After he understood what emotions were, in his dark world, Elisa became his only light.
People often reveal their worst side to those they love the most. Although he was afraid of losing her and knew it was wrong, he couldn’t control himself, wanting to use his strongest hand to keep her from leaving him.
So much time had passed, yet this place remained as cold as ever, devoid of any trace of humanity.
The Burns family’s old mansion, situated in North Bankshire, was built like an ancient palace, occupying a large area, nestled against the mountains and facing south, boasting an excellent environment. Judging from the construction site, it was a feng shui treasure trove.
Old Burns, now 70 years old, had two sons and a daughter. His elder son, Hamish’s father, died in a car accident. His younger son, Theodore Burns, could have inherited the Burns family, but he didn’t have a son of his own.
His daughter married into the White family of Chiwood, also a forceful figure, and had a son and a daughter.
Apart from his grandchildren, Old Burns had two grandsons and three granddaughters.
These two legitimate grandchildren were Hamish and Finn.
Although Finn was born of a mistress, Old Burns valued him no less than Hamish. After all, in his eyes, apart from bloodline, capability was more important than anything else.
Hamish drove into North Bankshire, unlocked the gate with his face, and stopped the car at the entrance. Atonal was waiting outside the iron gate to greet him.
Seeing him get out of the car, Atonal’s face couldn’t hide his surprise. With respect, he said, “Mr. Hamish, you’ve finally returned.”
“Is Finn here?”
Atonal hadn’t expected his first question to be about Finn. He hesitated for a moment and replied, “Mr. Snearl is having dinner with Old Burns. Old Burns has been talking about you a lot lately, hoping you’d come back soon.”
Hamish sneered coldly. He would rather believe that Finn was talking about him than believe Old Burns was thinking of him.
Once inside, he indeed found Finn dining with Old Burns. The relationship between the grandfather and grandson seemed harmonious, making his presence unnecessary.
Old Burns’s sharp gaze swept towards him, “You remembered to come back.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t stay to upset you. I’ll find Finn and then leave.”