Jacob''s voice cracked with sorrow.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "The loss of my sister hit our family hard. My mother cried day and night, and my father resigned from his post. He took two servants with him to search for her. He only returned home once every two years. My grandfather held everything together, and when my grandmother passed away, my father was still out looking for my sister. It wasn''t until the second year after my grandmother''s death that he finally returned. That was the tenth year he had been searching, and he finally gave up." The group listened and felt their heart ache. The pain and torment of losing a child was a wound too deep to contemte.


    "From the day my sister disappeared, joy waspletely lost to us. For the first two years, I brought my grandfather and mother to the capital, since they were in poor health. My father was unwilling to leave Cloud County. He always held on to hope and believed that one day she would remember her home ande back, and there would be someone at home always waiting for her.


    "Over the years, I haven''t given up, either. I borrowed people from Hell Monarch Estate to help search. The reason I worked so hard for His Highness was because he let me borrow people to find my sister. Even though I knew the chances were slim, not searching made me feel worse. I just had to do something for her, even if it felt pointless, just to ease my mind."


    Kyle had dozed off in his chair. He had rushed over from Meadow Ridge and started painting without even taking a sip of water, and he waspletely worn out.


    Even in his half-asleep state, he absorbed Jacob''s story. He had traveled far and wide and witnessed countless tragedies. He wasn''t numb to it. He just sensed that Darin was highly likely to be Jacob''s sister.


    He trusted that one of the many paintings he created must be very simr to the current Jaina, which allowed him to rx and sleep peacefully.


    After listening to Jacob, Violet wiped her tears and sent someone to the Farrell family. She asked Opal to deliver an invitation to the Marquis of Grovehill''s family. The following day, they would invite Lisette to Glimmering Tower for tea and to enjoy the riverside scenery. Gemma received the invitation, and went to see Darin. Thanks to Eleanor''s instructions, the Kingsley family treated Darin with great courtesy. However, Gemma understood Darin was merely a pawn in their game, and her politeness held a hint of distance. "I believe the Farrell family wants to get to know you better," Gemma stated. "After all, you''re not from the capital, and it''s difficult for them to gauge your character without interacting with you. They can only consider this marriage if they understand what kind of person you are."


    Darin showed little emotion on her face, and asked, "So, do you think I should go?"


    Gemma replied coolly, "Why shouldn''t you go? I''ll send someone to apany you and keep you on track. Just remember, don''t speak out of turn. The more you say, the more mistakes you''ll make. Keep your words few, and you won''t go wrong. You absolutely mustn''t give anyone a reason to find fault.


    "The Farrell family is currently on the rise, and there are plenty of noble


    into their family. If it weren''t for Thomas wanting someone a


    Qu


    older, you wouldn''t even have this chance. This is a fortune you need to seize for yourself."


    Darin took the invitation, and smiled bitterly. "Fortune? You know very well why I''m marrying him. I''m not looking for a life of luxury."


    Gemma frowned. "How could it not be a fortune? You''ll be his real wife once you marry him. You just need to make sure he serves Grand Princess Eleanor."


    Darin''s tone turned sour. "But Grand Princess Eleanor has also said that if I can''t win him over, I''ll have to take his life."


    Gemma replied, "With your


    intelligence, you''ll surely be able to persuade him. Always think in a positive direction. Don''t fixate on the worst possible oue. If he can serve Grand Princess Eleanor, won''t you and your husband enjoy wealth and honor in the future?"


    She patted Darin''s shoulder. "It''s settled, then. Tomorrow, I''ll make sure you''re dressed beautifully. Always remember your identity as a youngdy from the Sandford family-don''t let any hint of your rough background show." After finishing her speech, Gemma stood up and left. Outside, she pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her hands, then tossed it disdainfully to a maid.


    "Tamara, you''ll go with her tomorrow. Keep a close eye on her. Don''t let her make any mistakes," Gemma ordered.


    Tamara caught the handkerchief and held it up by pinching a corner. "Understood, Madam Gemma!"