Chapter 6 Blood-Related Stranger

• A sophisticated middle-aged man with a harsh and icy demeanor stood behind the young girl.
• Seraphina focused her gaze on Linara, clenching her fists and digging her nails into her palms. The overwhelming anger drowned out any sorrow she might have felt.
• Linara cheerfully approached her. One was dressed elegantly like a princess, while the other wore worn-out clothes. They were like the swan and the ugly duckling—a stark contrast.
• Linara looked at the young woman in front of her. The latter's fair skin seemed to sparkle, and her delicate features were so striking that even her ragged garments couldn't hide her beauty.
• Her appearance outshone everyone Linara had ever seen, making her feel slightly uneasy.
• Linara smiled and looped her arm around Seraphina's, enthusiastically saying, "Can I call you Sera?"
• "Call me Seraphina."
• Linara's face flushed with disappointment, but she quickly recovered and smiled brightly. "Seraphina, let me introduce you. This is Dad and Mom. We will live together from now on."
• Seraphina noticed the familiar yet unfamiliar middle-aged couple in front of her. Chloe's smile had not dimmed since Linara came downstairs.
• Her father remained stern and solemn, displaying no emotion even when meeting his long-lost biological daughter. They saw her as a blood-related stranger, not their missing daughter.
• Linara, who was not a blood relative, appeared more like one.
• The sixteen-year absence meant losing not just the opportunity to live a good life and obtain an education, but also the bond between family members.
• At that moment, she was well aware of her difficult situation in this family.
• In her former life, she had mistakenly assumed that her parents regarded her as their daughter and adored her.
• But those eight years had demonstrated how foolish and sad that idea was.
• Chloe murmured softly, "Seraphina, you should get along with Linara. Linara is not our biological child, but we adopted her, so she will be your sister from now on. You must take good care of her, understand?"
• "That is absurd. I've only heard of the elder sibling looking after the younger sibling, not the other way around."
• Chloe's smile wavered when she heard that.
• Linara eagerly hugged Chloe's arm and said, "Mom, I'm an adult. I don't need someone to look after me. Since Seraphina just got back, I should be the one looking after her. You always pamper me as if I were a delicate doll."
• Chloe laughed, affectionately pinching her nose.
• The patriarch, Oberon, who had remained silent all along, suddenly spoke. "You've matured."
• He turned to Seraphina and stated, "This is your new home. If you need anything, simply ask your mother. She'll help you."
• "Now that we're all acquainted, I'll show Seraphina to her room."
• Linara pushed Seraphina up the stairs without waiting for a response.
• Chloe saw her daughter's upbeat demeanor, smiling as she criticized, "Look at that child."
• However, her tone was full of affection.
• Her stare became chilly as she addressed Seraphina, "If you are uncomfortable here, please let us know. We will make the necessary changes."