bChapter /bb47 /b

Olivia froze. “Meb?/bb” /b

Grace stood and returned momentster with a crystal pendant, cing it in Olivia’s hand.

The pendant was crafted from pristine crystal, its oval shape fitting neatly in the palmi. /iCool to the touch, its polished surface seemed to pulse with calming energy. Delicate angel wings were engraved across the front, a ssic symbol of protection and guidance.

Olivia turned the pendant over and discovered the small “Summersb” /bcharacter etched ion /ithe back.

“You were wearing this when we found you near Magnolia Town,” Grace said, iher /ieyes iclouding /iwith memory. “When you woke, you couldn’t remember

anything, not even your own name.

“When I saw bthis /bcharacter, and with those olive blossoms outside that morning, I knew Olivia Summers would be your name.”

Olivia rubbed her temples as a headache pulsed behind her eyes. Memories flickered in her mind–an old man fastening a crystal pendant around her neck, surrounded by shadowy figures whose faces she couldn’t quite make out.

“How is any of this connected to the Evans family?” Olivia asked.

Grace’s grip tightened around Olivia’s hand as her face grew solemn. “Here’s what happened. Henry was in Magnolia Town when you escaped. He swore someone stole his family’s priceless crystal pendant. For some reason, he became convinced you had it.

“When he found out I took you in, he harassed me for years trying bto /bget it back. So I hid it to protect it. All this time they’ve been hunting for me, and now… I don’t know how, but they’ve found us.”

A pang of guilt crossed Grace’s face as she added, “I know you might me me for keeping this from youb, /bOlivia. But this pendant is the only link to your past. I couldn’t risk letting the Evans family take it.”

Olivia felt a lump in her throat. “I could never me you,” she said quietly. “You saved me when I had nowhere else bto /bgo.”

“Now that you’re grown, this pendant should return to its rightful owner, Grace said as she fastened it around Olivia’s neck with a gentle smile. “They

the way home.” say precious stones remember where they belong. Maybe this one can show you

She then lovingly stroked Olivia’s hair, her eyes shining with emotion. “After being away for so many years, your family must be worried sick about you.”

Olivia lowered her head obediently and murmured in agreement, though truth be told, she hadn’t given much thought to her family.

Grace’s expression turned serious as she grasped Olivia’s hand firmly. “You mustn’t go to that party. They’re bad news, every single one of them, and they’re definitely up ito /iino /iigood/i. Someone as simple as you would be easy prey for them.”

Sean stopped chewing the stolen herbs when he heard the word “simple.” He turned with a skeptical look, because no one would ever describe Olivia that way.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going,” Olivia said with a sweet smile that made her look every bit the obedient girl. “The Shea family’s party isn’t the kind of event just anyone can attend.”

But in her mind, she knew she had to go. There was no way to bring down the Evans family without being there.

Grace looked at Olivia with a mix of pride and deep regret.

bWith /bher medical talent, Olivia could be famous in traditional medicine within ten years, But Grace’s terrible reputation would haunt bher/b, making people look down bion /i/bOlivia whenever they asked about her teacher.

‘I can’t let my mistakes ruin her future,‘ Grace thought. After ba /blong moment, she sighed and looked bat /bOlivia with baffection/bb. /bb“/bbYou /bbcan /bgo if byou /bbwant/bb, /bbbut /bbbe /bcareful bto /bavoid the Evans family. bDon’t /bgive them bany /bchance bto /bcause btrouble/b.b” /b

“Not a chance,” Olivia said. If anything, she’d be the one giving them trouble.

“The Shea family is the most powerful family in Kingtonelle,” Grace exined “This would be a good experience for you, since you’ll need connections when you move there.” She hesitated briefly before continuing, “You might even meet that famous Phantom Heater everyone’s talking about

“Phantom Healer?” Oliviaughed, resting her chin in her palm. “Grandma Grace, you’ll always be the one and only Phantom Heater to me

Grace shook her head with a fond smile. “Don’t tease me. I stick to herbal remedies now. Those acupuncture days are long past”

Olivia felt a pang of sadness watching Grace like this.

Grace had practiced medicine for years, working her way up from a rural healer to be the famous “Phantom Healer.” But at the peak of her career, she was used of poisoning children at an orphanage, with what seemed like solid evidence.

Olivia refused to believe the usations. She knew Grace would never harm children–this was clearly someone’s vicious scheme against her.

“Let’s not talk about those old stories anymore,” Grace said as she stood up with the herbs. “Just be careful when you’re there. My closest friend’s grandson will go with you, so you’ll havepany and I won’t worry as much.”

Olivia stayed silent, her gaze fixed in the distance, showing nothing unusual.

Only Sean realized the truth–the Evans family was about to meet their downfall.

Back at the Evans residence, Henry’s face clouded over at the news. “Grace actually said that? After hiding all these years, she actually thought she could keep what’s ours by staying out of sight.”

Nathan massaged his father’s legs as he spoke. “We should just send someone to take it back. Why bother with all theseplicated ns?”

Henry rolled his eyes. “You don’t understand. Grace is too alert and too skilled. No ordinary person could get within five feet of her.”

He clenched his fists as he continued, “I also want it back immediately. The whole point was bto /btrick her out of her house so we could search it. Now that n has failed.”

Nathan nodded thoughtfully and turned to the butler. “Frank, give me that invitation we prepared. If they won’te, we’ll just keep it ourselves.”

Frank shifted ufortably, wiping his wrinkled hands on his coat/ “Mr. Evans, about that invitation…”

Henry stroked his beard, his eyes narrowing. “Just out with it, Frank.”

Frank’s eyes darted sideways before he let out a tired sigh. “Mr. Evans, you wouldn’t believe how disrespectful Grace’s adopted kid was. When I handed her the invitation, she tore it up in front of me and even spat out some nonsense about…”

“What nonsense?” Nathan’s jaw tightened.

“She said she’d never ept anything from the Evans family,” Frank replied, his voice shaking.

“How dare she!” Nathan’s face flushed with anger. “Who does she think she is? Insulting us?”

Unlike his ifurious /ison, Henry stayed calm. “Control your temper, Nathan. She’s just a child–no threat to us.b” /b

“Fatherb,/b” Nathan hissed, leaning closer, “those were invitations from the Shea family. You know what it cost us to get them.”

Each invitation meant one entry. Now they were short a spot.

After a pause, Henry let bout /bba /bsigh. “Then William’s family loses a seat.” They were only distant brtives /bbof /bthe Evans familyb, /bbso their /bbabsence /bbwouldn’t /b

matter much.