Chapter 8

The butler hung his head, avoiding Celeste's gaze.

Celeste suddenly remembered a phone call she had with Susan a few days ago.

Susan had mentioned that she and Andrew might have found their long-lost daughter.

At the time, Celeste didn't think much of it, but now she had a bad feeling. Could it be that the daughter Susan mentioned had already been brought back?

With a sense of foreboding, Celeste pushed past the butler and hurried into the yard.

She looked around but didn't see Susan or Andrew anywhere.

It wasn't until she passed through the corridor, crossed the yard, and entered the inner villa that she heard Susan and Andrew's voices.

Celeste walked towards her old room, the voices growing louder.

"I've taken great care of the garden, planting many herbs to keep mosquitoes away in the summer. Do you like it?" Susan's slightly ingratiating tone made Celeste's heart skip a beat.

"Yes, Alexandra, we put a lot of effort into moving here for you! If you need anything, just let us know!" Andrew's voice also carried a hint of caution.

"If you're uncomfortable with anything, just tell us. Don't hold it in!"

Celeste ran over and forcefully pushed the door open.

What she saw was her parents and Alexandra.

They all turned to look at Celeste, drawn by the noise.

Susan was taken aback. "Celeste, why are you back so soon?"

"Yeah, didn't you say your flight was tomorrow night? I was planning to pick you up!" Andrew was also shocked.

Celeste ignored them, her eyes scanning Alexandra up and down.

Alexandra, dressed simply, couldn't hide her beauty. Her perfect figure was accentuated by the light, her long black hair cascading down her back, adding to her elegance. Her face, free of makeup, was nearly flawless, with a slight resemblance to Susan.

Who is this beautiful girl? Why is she in our home?

"Who are you?" Celeste asked, frowning as she scrutinized Alexandra.

Andrew quickly stepped between Celeste and Alexandra. "Celeste, this is Alexandra, your sister."

Celeste was stunned, staring at Andrew in disbelief.

Could what Susan said on the phone be true?

Celeste shook her head vigorously. "I only have three brothers, no sister!"

"Who is she really? A relative's kid? A neighbor's? Why is she here? To borrow money?"

Celeste couldn't accept the idea of having a sister she had never met. Her words were harsh, making Susan unhappy. "Celeste! How can you talk like that? Didn't I tell you on the phone?"

"You just mentioned it casually. How was I supposed to take it seriously?"

Celeste was on the verge of breaking down. "You even had the butler call me your fifth daughter! I've been the fourth daughter my whole life, and now I'm the fifth?"

"Did you do a DNA test? How can you be sure she's your daughter?"

Celeste had always been pampered. Her parents adored her, and her three brothers doted on her.

The sudden appearance of Alexandra, vying for their affection, was something Celeste couldn't accept.

Most importantly, it was all too sudden.

"Celeste! Calm down!" Susan frowned. "I won't allow you to speak like this."

She took Alexandra's hand. "Alexandra has suffered a lot over the years. Andrew and I are heartbroken."

"We brought her back today, hoping you all could get along. Put away your temper!"

Susan's stern tone left Celeste at a loss.

Alexandra stepped forward, extending her hand to Celeste. "Hi, I'm Alexandra."

Seeing Alexandra's delicate fingers, Celeste's hatred grew.

But under Susan and Andrew's pressure, Celeste reluctantly shook Alexandra's hand. "I'm Celeste."

"I'm your sister. Let's get along from now on." Alexandra's tone was flat, clearly just saying it out of obligation.

Celeste pulled her hand back with a cold smile, wiping it on her clothes in disdain.

Fortunately, Susan didn't see Celeste's actions. She turned to Alexandra. "Alexandra, we bought you lots of clothes, handbags, and shoes. Do you want to take a look?"

"I'm not really interested in those." Alexandra smiled, declining.

Andrew sighed. "Susan spent a long time picking them out, all in your size. She was worried you wouldn't like them. If you don't look, Susan will be upset."

"Alright then." Alexandra couldn't refuse.

Meanwhile, Celeste, feeling ignored, screamed in anger. "Mom, Dad, I just got back from abroad, and you didn't prepare any gifts for me!"

In the past, when Celeste returned from abroad, Susan and Andrew would shower her with attention. They would carefully decorate her room and prepare various clothes, shoes, and bags for her.

But now, everything that was once hers was given to Alexandra.

Celeste felt like an outsider, and the drastic change was unbearable.

"Celeste, if you want something, just buy it yourself. Why do we have to prepare it for you?" Susan snapped at Celeste. "If you need more money, ask Andrew for a new credit card!"

"But you didn't even get me a welcome gift this time!" Celeste was on the verge of breaking down, her hatred for Alexandra reaching its peak.

"Celeste, we've been so focused on Alexandra that we forgot about you. Don't be petty. Alexandra just got back." Andrew's tone was softer, trying to reason with Celeste. "Susan and I need to take Alexandra to see the clothes. If you want a gift, go pick something out yourself. I'll get you a credit card right away!"

Celeste wanted to say more, but Susan and Andrew were already leading Alexandra away.

Celeste screamed in frustration.