"This isn't an accident," Mia murmured. "Someone wanted to trap you beyond denial."
"Naaatt!" Mia screamed, breaking the silence. "Your husband is a billionaire, not a poor and illiterate roadside man."
"But his name is different," Elena commented. "The one in my marriage certificate says Damien Voss, and this man here is Adrian Hale. Not to forget, they say he is returning to the country after a decade, and I have never gone out of the country. Also, my wedding certificate is from our country. More importantly, it could still be fake!"
"Yes, those are all important points, but Nat, have you considered that Damien Voss might be his secret identity?"
"Why would he do that?" Elena asked, amused. "He's not a superhero."
"Okay, let me explain what I've heard about the Hales from my father's business dealings," Mia cleared her throat, as if preparing a grand speech.
"What is it?"
"James Hale had always kept this son of his hidden, like a precious treasure. Until now, no one knew what he even looked like. That's why everyone is running to capture his image today. Maybe, just maybe, to hide him, James Hale gave him a different identity. What if Adrian Hale is Damien Voss?" She picked up the wedding certificate.
"Look at this picture. How can they be so identical in appearance? Even that tiny mole on the left of his chin is the same. If this is not him, then he must have a twin brother somewhere. Either way, this is a clue we cannot miss!"
Elena mulled over Mia's words quietly. "I need to meet him. Can your father arrange a meeting for me?"
A sleek black car cruised away from Bayford City's airport, headlights cutting through the night. In the back seat, a man in a tailored suit sat with his eyes closed, the passing streetlights tracing shadows across his sharp features.
"Find out who exposed my arrival," his calm yet commanding voice broke the silence.
"Yes, Mr. Hale," the assistant replied quickly. "The reports have been pulled down. No photos or videos remain, though a few might have seen it before it was erased. It was late—viewership was low."
Half an hour later, the car turned into an exclusive villa estate and rolled to a stop before a grand residence. The driver stepped out to open the door. As Adrian Hale emerged, a familiar, affectionate voice greeted him.
"Adrian, you're finally home."
An elegant elderly woman with a cane approached, her smile warm.
Despite his fatigue, he softened. "Grandma."
Her brows arched playfully. "Do I look like anyone's grandmother?"
Adrian chuckled faintly. "Julia. You should be resting at this hour, not waiting for me."
"I couldn't sleep until I saw you," she said, pulling him into a gentle embrace. "Promise me you're staying this time."
"I'm not leaving," he assured her. "Where's Father?"
"That stubborn man is in the drawing room."
They entered to find James Hale, his father, sitting before the television, gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, the news flickering across his stern face. One of the country's most powerful businessmen, James carried authority in every glance.
Adrian inclined his head. "Father."
James didn't look up immediately. "I saw the leak. It's been removed, but it won't be the last. What's your plan?" His voice was firm, devoid of warmth.
Julia scowled. "He just got back after so many years. Could you, for once, act like a father instead of a CEO?"
Adrian gave her a reassuring look, then faced his father again. "I'll make my presence known when it's time. For now, I'd rather keep the attention away while I put things in order."
James responded with a low hum, offering neither approval nor objection.
Julia broke the tension with a smile. "Go upstairs, freshen up. Dinner's waiting, and I made all your favorites."
Adrian climbed the stairs to his old bedroom, one he hadn't seen in almost fifteen years. Though he had lived there only briefly as a child before being sent abroad, the space looked untouched, prepared as if waiting for him all this time.
After the family of three had dinner together, James retired to his room.
Julia let out a sigh of relief once James was gone. "Adrian, come with me."
Adrian obediently followed her to her room. She handed him a file. "You have to go to the Imperial City and bring this person home."
Puzzled, he opened the file and saw a picture of a young girl in a school uniform, then read her information.
Elena Cross, age twenty-four, daughter of Caryn and Jay Cross, mother deceased, lives with grandparents, father, stepmother and sister. There was other additional information about her along with her latest pictures that Adrian quickly skimmed through before closing the file.
"Who is she?" he asked. "You're not trying to set me up on another blind date, are you?"
"Don't speak nonsense. This girl is your sister."
Adrian was stunned. "Sister? How is this possible?"
"She is James's biological daughter, but he doesn't know she exists."
Adrian was speechless for a moment before he heard the old woman continue.
"I think it's about time to bring her home and let James know about her. I would fetch her personally, but my body isn't as healthy as it used to be. You're the only one I can trust to execute this task." She looked at the file in his hands, "All the details are there. The detective who worked for me gathered all the information. Can you do this for me, Adrian?"
"Why does Father not know about her existence? This doesn't make sense," Adrian asked, befuddled as he stared down at the picture of his supposed sister. Was his grandma going senile, or was this some new prank? He squinted, trying to see if her features looked familiar to his father. "And why didn't you let Father know about this? Why are you trying to keep it a secret?"
His grandma looked pained.
"I'll explain everything once you bring her home," Her hopeful eyes turned, pleading, "Please, would you do this one favor for me, Adrian?"
"Of course I will," Adrian said.
His grandma had cared for him since the moment he had been adopted by the Hale family when he was about ten years old. For the past fifteen years, James and Julia had been his family. There was very little he would not do for them. "But I want to verify the information given first. I need to see what kind of person she is. If she's greedy and will disturb the peace of our home, I won't bring her back. Grandma, are you alright with that?"
"I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. Caryn's daughter is just like her. She can't be a bad person. You can trust my judgment." His grandma said confidently.
Adrian barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes. "Julia, according to this file, Caryn Cross died when this girl was barely seven. She's now in her twenties. A lot can happen in those years, so forgive me for being cautious."
She sighed. "I forgot, you're as stubborn as James. Do whatever you want, but in the end, I want the daughter of this family to return to her rightful place."
"I'll see what I can do." He turned to leave with the file. "Good night, Julia."
"Adrian, even if she comes back, your position in the family will remain the same," Julia commented, as she watched him retreating back, "You know that, right?"
Adrian didn't turn to look at her but replied, "That's the least of my concerns, and you know it."
Julia couldn't deny it; she knew the kind of person Adrian was. She said no more and watched him leave.
-----
Meanwhile, Elena headed to the civil affairs bureau to confirm if the marriage certificate was genuine.
"Miss Cross, this marriage certificate is indeed real," the officer behind the desk informed her, offering a strange look.
The last hope she was holding onto finally broke. "So, I am truly married?" she mumbled. She turned to the officer once more. "Is it possible to get a marriage certificate without one of the parties being present?"
"Absolutely not. We have to confirm the identities of both parties while they are present here in person."
"Can you check the recording from my wedding day and show it to me?"
"Miss, we only maintain recordings for the past twelve months, and you have been married for a year and a half. I'm afraid I cannot help you."
'So I have no other option but to find this husband of mine.' Disappointed, Elena left the office.
As she stepped out, her phone rang. "Where are you?" she heard the angry voice of her grandmother.
If it had been another time, Elena would have insisted she speak more politely, as she always did, but not now. "What do you want?"
"Is this how you talk to me?"
Elena didn't wish to argue. "Why did you call, Grandma?"
"Come home right away and bring that useless husband of yours," the older woman ordered.
"As I said before, I don't know who he is."
"I don't care. Come home with him, or I will throw away everything that belongs to your mother onto the streets!"