Chapter 2-The two men guarding my prosperous life!
After Monford left, numerous people came to show their concern for me.
They claimed to be my grandmother, father, aunt, uncle...
Unable to remember them when I've forgotten even my own name, I nonetheless appreciated their gifts and money, responding with a smile as thanks.
Subsequently, a parade of doctors visited, subjecting me to a battery of tests. My body was in perfect health, yet they couldn't pinpoint the cause of my amnesia after what felt like a century of examinations.
My dashing grandfather sternly instructed the doctors to take good care of me, my elegant grandmother sat by my bed feeding me fruit, and my aunt and uncle offered to open the window for fresh air and asked if I wanted to freshen up with a wash.
Their love was palpable, yet so was their caution. They were clearly my family, my elders, so why were they treading so carefully around me?
I spent seven days in that hospital bed, seven long days!
Every day brought a new neurologist from around the world, yet none could unravel the mystery of my lost memories. The consensus was to rest well, in hopes that my memories might return.
Once the doctors left, my family's eyes were filled with pity.
Surrounded by luxury in the hospital's finest room, with my family's constant presence and a deluge of gifts and money, I was bereft of two decades of memories.
Strangely, I felt at ease with this loss. I had tried to recall the past, but each attempt brought a searing pain to my head and an even deeper ache in my heart.
It was as if my body itself rejected the memories of the past.
If that was the case, then I didn't want them. A happy future was all I needed!
After two more days in bed, I grew tired of the hospital's acrid disinfectant smell. Even with my aunt bringing fresh flowers daily and my grandmother ensuring the room was perfumed, I longed to leave.
I wanted to go home!!!
My loving grandfather, seeing my indifference to staying, quickly completed the discharge paperwork, and I returned home that same day.
No, not home—a castle, to be precise!
I had guessed my family was well-off, but I had not anticipated that we were of noble lineage, owners of the city's largest jewelry company, with my grandfather hailed as the king of jewelry.
"And I'm the most cherished princess in this jewel kingdom?"
I mused aloud upon returning to the castle.
At my words, Monford's laughter rang out.
He stood casually by the door, his well-tailored suit accentuating broad shoulders and a trim waistline that would undoubtedly turn heads.
His laid-back posture and the gentle smile in his eyes, with just a hint of a smirk at the corner of his mouth, only added to his charm.
Indeed, he was handsome, so I forgave his laughter.
"Come, my little princess,"
Grandpa beckoned, his smile brimming with affection.
Since waking up this time, I had come to understand my family's status and my unique position as the only girl of my generation, making me the apple of their eye—especially Grandpa's.
The first time Grandpa visited me, I had been in this world for just ten days. I clutched his fingers tightly, refusing to let go.
Grandma said I knew even then that he was the person who loved me most and could protect me the most. I held onto Grandpa's hand, ensuring his affection.
In his joy, Grandpa gifted me a 5% share of the company on the spot.
Taking his offered arm without hesitation, I followed the king of jewelry into the castle he had built for me.
The castle boasted seven floors, twenty-two guest rooms, front and back gardens, and a staff of fifty-four security guards and servants.
From the moment I stepped inside, I was greeted warmly every few steps.
However, when I returned their greetings with a smile, I was met with the same surprised looks as from my aunts and uncles.
No one needed to tell me; I could guess that my previous self wasn't the most pleasant.
I even began to suspect that my amnesia might be linked to my former personality.
Grandpa had only told me that I lost my memory after accidentally falling into the pool at my birthday party. But my intuition whispered that it wasn't that simple.
The castle's vastness was too much to take in all at once, especially after such a long hospital stay.、
Grandpa considered this, personally escorting me to my room to rest before dinner.
As they left, Monford gestured towards a blue paper bag on a cabinet by the door, indicating that I should open it.
Once alone, I discovered inside the bag a lovely necklace with a smiley pendant, my name engraved on the back: Chloe Meredith.
Accompanying the necklace was a handwritten note:
To my dear little sister, congratulations on your discharge. I hope every day ahead is filled with happiness, and remember, I will always be by your side.
Love, your brother,
Monford Meredith.
Reading the signature, I recalled something Grandma had told me.
Monford wasn't my full brother; he was the son of the woman my father remarried after my mother's death.
Initially, like the rest of my family, I resented the sudden appearance of this boy. However, Monford proved to be a good person.
He excelled academically and, despite being the son of the Meredith matriarch, he earned his place at Harvard University on merit alone.
He even managed to climb the corporate ladder from an intern to a department manager, all while concealing his identity.
His high IQ was matched by his EQ, and his genuine concern for me gradually won over the family, including myself.
One of the reasons Monford was so kind to me, aside from our familial bond, was my 8% share in the company.
I take pride in my ability to discern who is most worthy of my trust and who can offer me protection and support.
Under Grandpa's patronage, I grew up without a care and chose to eschew the family business battles, supporting Monford's succession instead.
With my shares backing him, I secured a life of luxury, free from worry, with people to protect and support me.