Chapter 278
She’d worked so hard, trying to better herself, and yet her life was still stuck at the bottom.
But Caitlin?
Caitlin did nothing at all and somehow managed to become the little princess everyone envied.
Why did God have to be so unfair to her?
When Mr. and Mrs. Hadley returned home, they opened the door to find their daughter and son-in-law, along with their granddaughter, all sitting on the floor in tears. The sight startled them so much they nearly dropped everything they were carrying.
What on earth had happened?
A wave of dread swept over the Hadleys.
Mrs. Hadley quickly set down her purse and hurried over. “Iliana, Ernest! What’s going on? What are you all doing down there p>
Mr. Hadley bent down and lifted Bonnie up, his face full of concern. “Bonnie, get up, darling! Tell your grandparents-what happened p>
Iliana threw herself into her mother’s arms, sobbing. “Mom! Why does our family have such terrible luck p>
It was just too cruel.
They’d been only one step away from striking it rich.
“Terrible luck?” Mrs. Hadley was taken aback.
Thanks to the Chandlers, they’d long since climbed out of hardship and were now
a comfortable, middle-class family, living a happy and peaceful life.
Where was all this talk of bad luck coming from?
She tried to reassure her daughter. “What are you saying? We’ve even moved into a luxury condo! Life is only going to get better from here. How could you say we’re unlucky p>
“A luxury condo?” Iliana let out a hollow laugh, her eyes brimming with bitterness. What’s a condo compared to real wealth?
Forget condos. Given what’s happened, even if someone handed her a mansion, it wouldn’t change a thing.
After all-
We’re talking about the Gonzales family and the Richards family!
How could she possibly accept this?
Mr. Hadley pulled Bonnie to her feet and then helped Ernest up as well. “Come on, Ernest, get up. Tell us—what’s happened p>
Ernest looked up at his in-laws, his face ashen. “Mom, Dad, did you hear about the Gonzales and Richards families finding their lost heir p>
Both Hadleys nodded. “Of course. There’s been nothing but talk of it lately. We even heard the girl’s been living right here in Silverhaven p>
The whole town was buzzing about it-especially since the main character was a local girl.
Mrs. Hadley pressed, “But what does that have to do with us? People like us would never even meet someone like that, let alone have anything to do with her p>
“No, Mom, it matters-a lot! We were this close to being involved!” Iliana sobbed. “Do you know who the little princess is p>
“Who p>
“It’s Caitlin! Yes, you heard me right—Caitlin, that little nobody from the country p>
The words hung in the air as Mr. and Mrs. Hadley stared at her, stunned.
They could hardly believe it.
Mr. Hadley swallowed hard. “Iliana, honey, this isn’t funny p>
This was no joke.
“I’m not joking, Dad! I swear it’s true. Caitlin is the lost heiress. If you don’t believe me, look at the TV p>
The television in the living room had been on the whole time, but Mr. and Mrs. Hadley hadn’t paid attention. Now they turned and saw the paused news broadcast, Caitlin’s profile clear as day.
The moment they saw Caitlin’s face, it felt as if the sky had fallen.
Mr. Hadley’s knees nearly buckled beneath him, his voice shaking. “If—if I’d known, back when Old Kensington brought Caitlin here, we should have told Iliana and Ernest to keep the girl p>
Mrs. Hadley felt her heart twist with regret. “Even if it wasn’t back then-if only we’d agreed to let Caitlin stay with us for school when Old Kensington brought her by just half a year ago, we’d be rolling in good fortune right now p>
But instead-
They’d kicked Fortune and Caitlin out as if they were garbage.
A gleam lit Mrs. Hadley’s eyes as she suddenly turned to Ernest and Iliana. “Ernest is Old Kensington’s real son. Caitlin may not be related to him by blood, but she’s the girl Old Kensington raised! You two have to pull yourselves together. Take Bonnie and go see her grandfather p>
Iliana frowned. “Go see him? Mom, Ernest already cut ties with him. Why would he even acknowledge us now p>
“He’s still Ernest’s father, isn’t he? The paperwork doesn’t change blood. Old Kensington only has one son. You think he’d really turn his back on Ernest for good p>
“Trust me if you bring Bonnie with you to see him in person, he’ll accept you all back p>
Blood is thicker than water.
What father could truly reject his own son?
And if Fortune took back his daughter and son-in-law and their child, then all that wealth and privilege would be theirs too.
Mrs. Hadley narrowed her eyes, thinking out loud. “The Richards and Gonzales families aren’t ordinary folks. Now that Caitlin’s been recognized, she’s the Gonzales heiress. Bonnie is her sister, so she’ll become the second young lady of the Gonzales family p>
Not just the Gonzales family.
Even the Richards would have a place for Bonnie!
Bonnie’s eyes sparkled at the thought. “Mom, Dad, Grandma’s right—I’m Caitlin’s sister, and Old Kensington’s real granddaughter! The last time I saw him in the neighborhood, he even called out to me. He still cares about me—I know it! If we go to him in person, he’s got to accept us p>