Chapter 5 Switched

• The next day, Ryleigh arrived at the orphanage in the afternoon.
• She missed the previous appointment because of the incident, so she made another appointment with the director to meet this afternoon.
• Madam Lamford was always nice to her when she was staying at the orphanage.
• The orphanage kept their personal information and would inform them whenever there was someone who came to look for a lost family member.
• When Ryleigh was little, she still hoped to find her birth parents, but she was set up for disappointment every time.
• After a few times, Ryleigh started to give up her hope.
• After all, she survived even without any parents.
• Ryleigh met Alice, who had just arrived, at the corner when she was going up the stairs.
• "Ryleigh! You are here!" Alice gave a warm, welcoming smile.
• Ryleigh returned a smile with a nod. She grew up with Alice, and now they were studying at the same university.
• They did not see each other much, but their relationship was still close.
• Both of them went into the director's office together.
• "Hello, Madam Lamford!" they said.
• Rosie Lamford raised her head from stacks of documents. "You are finally here!" said the director happily, "I know you are busy, but this matter could not wait any longer."
• "Madam Lamford, they usually just come here to look for information. What do they want this time?" asked Ryleigh.
• Ryleigh and Alice were admitted to the orphanage the same month that year, and they had similar ages and heights. So, whenever there was someone to look for their long-lost family member, both of them were called in for recognition.
• "Well, they want to test your DNA this time. So, please leave a strand of hair and a piece of nail."
• "Oh."
• Ryleigh did not think much about it.
• On the other hand, Alice's eyes flickered with doubt.
• Ryleigh and Alice placed their hair and nail in the bags the director gave, respectively.
• "Let me tell you, the person who came to search for their family has a very significant background…"
• Ryleigh had rushed here from the hospital. Now, she had to go back to pack up her things and move to Paxton's house that evening.
• So, she was not interested in listening to the director's words. "Madam Lamford, I need to attend to some urgent matters. So, I need to go now," said Ryleigh.
• "Off you go," Rosie smiled and gave Ryleigh a gentle push, "I know you are busy. I will let you know if anything comes up."
• After Ryleigh left, Alice rubbed Rosie's shoulders affectionately. "Madam Lamford, who's searching for their family? Why is it more complicated this time?" She tried to find out more about it.
• "Look, I brought your favorite snack!" Alice gave the bag in her hand a shake.
• Alice had always been good at pleasing people. So, naturally, Rosie had always liked her too.
• "Aww, that's very nice of you! Do you know about the Xander family in the capital?"
• Alice was stunned. "The Xander family? Do you mean the famous military family of Army General Mark Xander and Lieutenant General Samuel Xander?"
• "Aren't you a smart cookie? You really know a lot. The Xander family had been searching for their lost granddaughter for many years. Finally, new information has led them to Karovia. Their granddaughter is about the same age as you and Ryleigh."
• "They searched her blindly? Did they have any object for authentication?" asked Alice curiously.
• "I heard there was a silver pendant, but it was not stated in both of your files, and I have no memory of seeing it. Therefore, the best way to authenticate is a DNA test."
• Silver pendant? Alice's heartbeat suddenly accelerated. She knew Ryleigh had a silver pendant and was very jealous about it. So, one day, Alice stole it when Ryleigh was in the shower, and Ryleigh did not find it after that.
• Alice might still be able to find the silver pendant if she had not thrown it away.
• Could Ryleigh really be the granddaughter of the prestigious military family?
• Is that why Ryleigh is so good at shooting, because of her genes?
• Alice's heart was burning with envy. Why is luck always at Ryleigh's side? First, she met Paxton, and now she might be the granddaughter of the Xander family.
• No, I'm going to have all of that for myself!
• Thinking about that, Alice helped Rosie to stand up from the table enthusiastically. "Dear Madam Lamford, go and get changed. I want to treat you to dinner. I miss you so much!"
• "Aww, you always know what to say!" Rosie was already gently pushed into the restroom by Alice to change her work outfit.
• Once Rosie was gone, an evil smirk appeared at the corners of Alice's mouth.
• She wanted everything: the money, the status, and Paxton Lev.
• While Rosie was still in the restroom, Alice switched her hair and nails with Ryleigh's without showing a glimpse of anxiousness.