Chapter 1 Never Leaving Again

"Here's ten grand. From now on, you're done with the Martinez Family," Benjamin Johnson said.

Adeline Vanderbilt stared at Benjamin Johnson, who was smirking like he just won the lottery. Her face was a blank slate, like she couldn't care less. The Martinez Family, who'd raised her for over twenty years, had found their real daughter, Stella Martinez, and now they wanted to pay her off to cut ties.

She didn't even glance at the money. Instead, she grabbed her backpack, which had been tossed into the rain. She came with just that backpack, and she was leaving the Martinez Mansion with only that.

Inside the mansion, it was all hugs and laughter, like a cheesy family reunion. The mocking voices got louder, like they wanted to make sure she heard every word.

It had rained all night in Eldoria. She stood there, soaked, but she didn't look like a mess.

A taxi rolled up to the entrance of a pretty average-looking neighborhood. Adeline, now booted from the Martinez Family, was back at her place. This neighborhood might look ordinary, but it was packed with hidden gems.

The neighbors greeted her like she was a long-lost friend.

A fruit vendor, grinning, asked if she'd eaten and handed her a chicken leg from her table, pretending to scold, "Where've you been? Thought you ditched us. If you don't show up soon, my legs are gonna give out."

Adeline smiled, feeling a bit moved, and took the chicken leg.

Another neighbor chimed in, "Yeah, Adeline. Sometimes my hands shake when I hold a cup." Adeline smiled and said, "It's okay. Just take it easy."

She stood in the community square, watching the old folks chat away.

She loved it here. She knew the people who retired here were something special. Like the woman who gave her the chicken leg—she was in textbooks now.

She didn't care about their pasts. To her, they were just warm, caring people.

Finally, she remembered to remind them to hit the sack early, not to stay up late watching TV, and to stay energetic.

Who would've thought these folks, who'd done so much for the country, would listen to a young woman? They'd been there for national crises and helped build the nation.

Daniel Brown saw her and lit up, "Adeline, you're back! No one can handle this bunch like you. I've been keeping an eye on your place."

Adeline smiled and said, "Thanks, Daniel."

She was always polite. Besides thanking him, she checked on his health. "Daniel, swing by my place when you can. I'll give you a proper check-up."

Daniel, still smiling, said, "Thanks, Adeline. You gotta stay here. We all need you. Without you, I can't keep this group in line. They only listen to you."

"I'm not leaving again," Adeline said, her voice steady.