Chapter 60: Vanessa's Shrill Voice Shattered the Silence in the Room

"Grace, have you lost your mind? She's just a bastard!" Vanessa's shrill voice shattered the silence in the room. "If Uncle Calvin hadn't taken her in out of kindness, she would've died in the wilderness. We've been more than merciful to her!"

Vanessa's eyes gleamed with malice. She had been waiting for this moment to spew her venom.

"Grandma Agnes said it herself—her shameless mother seduced an urban service volunteer from the city and got pregnant before marriage. And what happened? The man went back to the city and married a proper girl from a good family. Her mother died in childbirth—what a joke!"

Vanessa grew more animated as she spoke, relishing the way Elena's face paled.

Elena clenched her fists. So this was the truth—her origins were this disgraceful. An abandoned child of an urban service volunteer. No wonder The Wards had never treated her as family.

But then, a strange sense of relief washed over her. At least now she knew. No more lies, no more secrets.

Slap!

A sharp crack echoed through the room, cutting Vanessa off mid-sentence.

"You hit me?" Vanessa pressed a hand to her stinging cheek, gaping at Grace in disbelief.

"Get out!" Grace grabbed Vanessa's arm and shoved her toward the door. "From now on, I don't have a sister like you!"

Vanessa stumbled but caught herself, then spat on the ground. "Fine! Rot in poverty for all I care!" She snatched up her bag and stormed off.

Inside, Grace gently pulled Elena down onto a chair. "Elena..."

"Don't worry, Grace. I'm okay." Elena managed a small smile. "I had my suspicions for a while now."

Henry walked in carrying a steaming bowl of dumplings. "Eat first! Even if the sky falls, you need a full stomach."

The simple farmer didn’t know how to comfort with words, so he showed his care the only way he knew—with food.

Elena accepted the bowl. Through the rising steam, she saw the concern in Grace's eyes and felt warmth spread through her chest.

"Grace, Henry—you're my real family." She picked up a dumpling. "Blood doesn't matter. What matters is how you've treated me."

Grace's eyes welled up. "Silly girl..."

"Here, have more!" Henry slid another bowl toward her, secretly transferring some of his own portion into hers.

"Henry!" Elena stopped him. "If you keep this up, I'll get angry!"

All three of them laughed. Just then, three little figures came bounding into the room, filling it with laughter and chatter.

As Elena watched the scene, she made a silent vow: This time, I'll protect the people who truly love me.