Chapter 2 Haunting Presence

Disgust flashed in the Clarks' eyes at the sight of how ridiculous Lana looked.

Indeed, they had hoped that Liam and Lana would get a divorce. Yet her audacity to return to Clark Residence afterward was just foolish.

"Do you expect us to welcome you with open arms now that you're divorced?"

"You're trash who's no longer part of the family. Why are you here?"

Not a single one of the Clarks offered Lana any comfort. Instead, they collectively mocked her.

However, this was nothing new to Lana. She was accustomed to it since this was just how things were. She was the unloved adopted daughter of the Clark family!

In the past, Zeke and Sarah had trouble having children despite having been married for years. Hence, they had gone to the Child Welfare Institute and adopted Lana.

To their surprise, Sarah discovered her pregnancy after they had brought Lana home. They had wanted to return Lana to the welfare institute, but adoption papers had already been signed.

The institution refused to take Lana back. When the Clarks finally had their biological child, Lana had become an outsider who didn't belong in the family.

She had lived cautiously in the shadows of the family throughout her childhood.

"I'm sorry to disappoint. I'm not just back home. I'm here to stay!" With that said, she rolled her suitcase through the doorway.

Jennifer immediately stopped her. "Home? You're delusional. Do you think this is your home?"

Lana was unfazed. "Not my home? Weren't you all so willing to have me marry into the Kane family?"

Without the Clarks' consent, would the Kanes have accepted her?

Although Carol was supposed to get married to Liam, Violet had taken a liking to Lana instead.

Wanting to use their connection with the Kanes to climb up the social ladder, Zeke had reluctantly agreed to the match.

Little did they know that Lana would fail to capture Liam's heart. Now, she had been cast aside.

Sarah was infuriated. "Such ill-mannered words! We never taught you to speak that way!"

"You're right about that. I was left in the countryside as a child. What manners could I possibly have?"

Lana's words silenced Sarah.

Suddenly, Jennifer thought of a plan. It wasn't as if Lana couldn't stay. "She can stay if she likes, Mom."

She stared at Lana with a malicious gleam in her eyes. "We're going to the airport to pick up Carol. You should join us."

With Lana there as a foil, Carol's elegance and beauty would shine even brighter.

…

The Clarks arrived at the entrance of the crowded airport.

Aside from the reporters, many fans were also there, holding up signs and screaming frantically.

In the heart of the crowd stood a girl with flowers in her hands. She was dressed in a light blue floral dress and a white knit jacket. Her long hair was draped down her back. Her makeup accentuated her delicate features.

Her beauty was unmatched. She was answering questions with a gentle smile.

Carol had returned after completing her studies. She had even won the triennial International Aerospace Science and Technology Award.

It was the first time a Zantelian had won the award. She had been the only Culchethian finalist as well.

Hence, she had returned with a good reputation. Carol was the highly sought-after darling of major aerospace companies in Zanteles.

She had also started a verified Twitter account, where her youth, beauty, and talent gained her countless followers. She was the idol that young men loved.

The woman dazzled like a star in the sky. The attention she attracted filled her with pride.

"Mom! Dad!"

"Carol!"

The Clarks embraced one another in excitement.

"Mr. and Mrs. Clark are amazing to have raised such an exceptional daughter."

"If I had a daughter as outstanding as her, I'd wake up smiling every day."

"The Clarks don't just have Carol as their only brilliant child. The other two are just as bright."

Both Jennifer and Nelson held their heads high when they heard the praise. They looked no different from victorious roosters.

Carol introduced her parents and siblings to the reporters. Only then did she look as if she had just noticed Lana. She looked awkward. "What are you doing here, Lana?"

Lana answered, "They made me come."

Carol smiled gently upon hearing this. She acted as if she was about to embrace Lana. "I'm happy to see you here."

Unnoticed by others, cruelty flashed in her eyes. Just as she had expected, Lana swiftly moved back to avoid her touch.

Carol stood frozen in place. Her beautiful eyes welled up in tears, making her look pitiful and humiliated.

Lana hated physical contact with others. However, Carol had unexpectedly made a fuss of it and acted like an innocent victim.

Now Lana was the villain. She frowned as she stared at Carol. There was a deep look in her eyes.

Some people certainly enjoyed making a mountain out of a molehill.

"What the fuck? Who's the person with the funny hair? She's so arrogant. Not even a hug?"

Lana, dressed in her alternative fashion, seemed like a quail among peacocks when compared to how dazzling the Clarks looked. She was completely out of place!

"You don't know who she is?"

"Who?"

"She's none other than the infamous member of the Clark family—the ugly troublemaker and adopted daughter who stole Mr. Seven away from Carol."

"So, that's her!"

Thanks to the Clarks controlling the narrative over the past three years, Lana had become Dawsbury City's most despised figure. She was known as a useless and ungrateful person.

In a VIP room on the second floor, a short distance away, two men were seated by a window. Their gazes were fixed on the entrance of the airport.

The man sitting by the window had finely sculpted features and a distinct bone structure.

He held a half-lit cigarette between his fingers. The coils of smoke made it difficult to discern his expression.

He was dressed in a custom-made suit. The buttons on his shirt were meticulously fastened at the top. It made him seem stern and self-restrained.

Although his eyes couldn't be seen, the air of superiority he carried made him hard to ignore.

The man beside him shared similarly refined features that made him look regal. His initially lazy demeanor suddenly changed when something caught his eye. He jumped out of his chair.

"Holy shit! What's Lana doing here? She's divorced. Why is she still haunting us?"

As the third party who had broken up a relationship, she should have had some self-awareness to stay away from the victim after being kicked out. She should be repenting for her shameless behavior throughout the years!

Yet there Lana was. She had shown up before Carol right after her divorce that morning!

The man, Chris Turner, only got more riled up the more he thought about it. He was a well-known playboy in Gilsbury. He had recently been sent to Dawsbury by his family to gain experience.

He turned to the person next to him. "Divorcing Lana was the best decision you've ever made, Liam."

Women like Lana had no sense of shame. Liam should've refused to marry her back then. Otherwise, Liam and Carol wouldn't have wasted three years of their lives.

"Carol is so pitiful. She had to go abroad after having her beloved taken away from her. And now she has to see Lana's horrid face again on her first day back in Zanteles."

Liam pursed his lips. His expression carried a cold aloofness. Once the smoke cleared, his eyes sharpened as he glanced at Lana, who remained calm and composed.

"If you don't want your mouth anymore, feel free to rip it off your face!"

Liam's voice was as authoritative as it was cold. Chris immediately shut up in fright.

Meanwhile, Carol began to speak. She sounded choked with emotion. "We've always treated you as family, Lana. Why do you keep pushing us away? Aren't you happy for me and what I've achieved?"