Chapter 2 A Striking Resemblance

• Five years later, at a renowned music academy in Ustrana, a woman, clad in a long white dress, led a little boy out from the doorway.
• Her long hair flowed elegantly, and her refined oval face carried an air of intellectual charm, enhancing her natural beauty and grace.
• The little boy sported a head of thick, soft black hair. His cherubic face boasted plump, rosy lips that curved into an innocent smile. Above them, his petite nose—soft and slightly upturned—added to his overall charm. He was dressed in a black shirt, paired with denim shorts and small sneakers, which made him look like a model straight out of a children's fashion magazine.
• “Excuse me, Ms. Gardner.” The voice of the little boy's violin teacher rang out from behind as she hurried over. “There's something I need to discuss with you in person.”
• Jeanette, holding the little boy's hand, paused. The violin teacher ruffled the little boy's hair. “There's a very renowned violin competition about to take place in Chanaea. I would suggest you let your child participate. It could greatly benefit his future in music.”
• The teacher's frank words left Jeanette momentarily stunned. She hadn't considered returning to her homeland since she left five years ago.
• Jeanette wanted to refuse, but the teacher interjected before she could. “Chanaea is home to many excellent violinists. If a renowned violinist takes a liking to Charles, I believe his talent will be well nurtured.”
• Whenever it came to matters concerning her son, Jeanette simply couldn't say no.
• Charles Gardner had shown an exceptional talent for music from a young age, and she couldn't bear to let such a gift go to waste.
• The well-behaved little boy standing off to the side observed his mother's expression, and his heart was immediately filled with excitement. He had always known that he and his mother were from Chanaea, and he was certain that his father must be from there too. He wanted to go back and find his father.
• “Jeanette, you've finally returned!”
• Her best friend, Sylvie Hart, donning oversized black-rimmed glasses, happily welcomed them into her car with a beaming face.
• She gave Charles a big kiss on the cheek and said, “My godson is becoming more and more handsome!”
• “You've become even more beautiful too, Aunt Sylvie,” Charles said with a sweet smile.
• “Aw, you're such a good boy! Come here, let me give you a big kiss, then I'll take you out for a feast.” Sylvie's smile broadened even further. She squatted down and scooped up the adorable Charles, planting a firm kiss on his cheek. “Welcome back, Charlie!”
• “Thank you, Aunt Sylvie.”
• Jeanette looked at the two of them with a smile, feeling fortunate to have such a reliable friend.
• She had two objectives for returning this time: to accompany her son to the violin competition finals and take him home to meet her father.
• Years ago, after a heated argument with her father, she had left the country and even broke off her engagement with Taylor. The incident had infuriated her father to the point of hospitalization. Since then, her father never reached out to her again. Even when she gave birth to her child, she never informed her father.
• She was aware that, with her stepmother by her father's side, she had always been portrayed as an unruly girl with a chaotic personal life. From the time she was in middle school, her stepmother had been influencing her father, using her as a foil to highlight how obedient and sensible her own daughter, Stefie, was.
• Later on, she started dating Taylor. However, Stefie had been continuously meddling in their relationship. In the end, the two of them even ended up together.
• No one could truly comprehend the depth of Jeanette's agony at that moment.
• Fortunately, within these five years, she had undergone a complete transformation.
• She had a child, a son who was like an angel.
• Because of her son, she buried the nightmarish events of that night deep within her heart. She still harbored resentment, but she wouldn't bring herself to think about it anymore.
• She lowered her gaze to her son's delicate little face, a sight that stirred a hint of annoyance in her. His facial features didn't resemble hers at all. However, the way his features were assembled was exceptionally beautiful, so beautiful that it took her by surprise.
• Luckily, her son was solely hers in this lifetime, and no one would ever come to take him away.
• She never wanted to encounter the jerk from that night again, and she reckoned she wouldn't.
• Suddenly, a loud bang interrupted Jeanette's train of thought.
• “Shoot! I rear-ended a Porsche Cayenne!” Sylvie exclaimed in exasperation. She swiftly put on her black-rimmed sunglasses. “Jeanette, you two stay in the car. I'll handle this.”
• “No, let me do it.” Jeanette held onto Sylvie. “You're a public figure. The less you show yourself, the better, and especially in situations like this.”
• Sylvie was a popular celebrity, who had taken time out of her busy schedule to pick them up. It was already a big favor. Jeanette couldn't possibly ask her to handle more matters.
• Sylvie didn't insist. She nodded and said, “All right, you go ahead and tell them I'll compensate them. I can afford it.”
• “Okay.”
• Jeanette got out of the car and quickly made her way over.
• The other party was already waiting there.
• “Hello, I—”
• Jeanette was about to speak, but she suddenly fell silent.
• The man in the car bore a striking resemblance to her son.
• “Miss, what are you looking at?” the driver, dressed in a black suit, asked with a hint of annoyance, blocking Jeanette's view into the car.
• Jeanette leaned forward for another look, but all she could see was the window being rolled up.
• She was tempted to ask who the man in the car was, but she ultimately held her tongue.
• “I'm sorry. Let's take some photos here first, then wait for the police to handle it,” Jeanette said politely.
• The man seated in the car subtly turned his head, catching sight of the woman outside. Through the window, he admired her slender waist, and as his gaze traveled upward, he was met with a face of exquisite beauty.
• The woman was discussing compensation for the car with the driver. Her voice was somewhat faint, yet he found it inexplicably familiar.
• However, he could not quite grasp that sense of familiarity.
• It was a terrible feeling. He closed his eyes to rest and gradually emptied his mind.
• Quickly, the traffic police arrived. The driver got into the car, started the engine, and left first.
• Jeanette stood still, watching as the Porsche Cayenne disappeared into the distance. She shook her head, finding it hard to believe such a coincidence. Could a random car accident really lead her to cross paths with that jerk from five years ago?
• Then the world must be too small.
• Even if it were the case, she didn't want to admit it.
• She never wanted to see that despicable man again in her life.
• In the Porsche Cayenne, the driver said, “Apologies, Mr. Huntington. Due to the minor collision earlier, our arrival at the company might be delayed by a minute or two.”
• Gabriel Huntington didn't even lift his head as he said, “It's all right.”
• His expression was incredibly cold, but his mind was filled with the image of the woman he had just caught a glimpse of.
• “Did that woman say anything?” Gabriel asked.
• This question took the driver aback for a few seconds. Gabriel had never asked such things before, especially not about a woman.