Chapter 3

The Bennett family threw a formal gala to welcome me home.

Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead. One wall was covered in flowers, and a large sign by the entrance read:

'HOMEWARD BOUND FAMILY REUNIFICATION CHARITY GALA'

Fiona’s picture was displayed in the center, complete with a poised smile and the title:

'Fiona Bennett, Bennett Heiress and Charity Ambassador'

Half an hour before the event began, Fiona came to find me.

“Nina, there’s been a last-minute change to the schedule. The family reunion ceremony has been pushed back, so please wait in the lounge for now.”

I gave her an okay sign.

“Got it!”

This time, she didn’t simply turn and walk away.

She personally escorted me to the lounge, sat me down on the couch, and instructed the two bodyguards by the door.

“Keep Nina safe. Don’t let her go anywhere.”

Before leaving, she turned back and asked, “Nina, the foundation would like to use your story in its promotional materials. Is that okay?”

“Sure.”

She smiled and walked away.

Less than two minutes later, one of the guards’ radios crackled.

“Mr. Bennett wants both of you at the south entrance. Several important guests are about to arrive.”

Before leaving, the guards shot me a warning look.

“Miss Nina, stay put.”

I nodded obediently.

“Okay, sure.”

The moment the door closed, the smell of chocolate drifted down the hallway.

I peeked through the gap.

A dessert cart was rolling past, loaded with a chocolate fountain, a tower of macarons, and row after row of miniature cakes.

I’d never tasted any of them before.

By the time I’d worked my way through several desserts, the lights in the ballroom had dimmed, and Fiona was standing onstage.

“A lot of people don’t know this, but my foundation played a major role in bringing Nina home.

“Three years ago, when I founded Homeward Bound, I made finding her one of our highest priorities. We worked with the police on DNA comparisons and contacted child welfare agencies across the country. It was a difficult journey, but I never gave up.”

Her voice choked with emotion.

“Being the one who brought Nina home is the proudest thing I’ve ever done.”

Thunderous applause filled the room.

“Fiona is incredible.”

“She isn’t even their biological daughter, yet she helped the Bennetts find their real daughter. That takes a truly generous heart.”

Fiona’s eyes suddenly filled with tears.

“But Nina may not be ready to appear in public with me yet.

“I must have done something wrong. She still doesn’t want to accept me as her sister.”

Whispers immediately swept through the crowd.

“The biological daughter just came home, and she’s already bullying the adopted one? I heard she was raised by a thief. No wonder she has no manners.”

“Poor Fiona. Anyone would be heartbroken.”

“No wonder she got kidnapped twice. What normal person gets abducted twice?”

Just then, I wandered over from the dessert cart holding half a cupcake, with frosting still smeared on the corner of my mouth.

“Is it time for me to come up?”

The entire ballroom fell silent.

Fiona’s tears froze on her face.

I walked onto the stage and smiled at her.

“What were you just saying, Fiona? I was eating cake, so I didn’t hear you.”

I scratched my head.

“I caught the first part, though. But my DNA was entered into the missing children database four years ago, and your foundation wasn’t established until three years ago. My information was already in the system by then.”

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

Fiona’s smile faltered.

“Nina, I meant that the foundation provided a lot of assistance afterward.”

I tilted my head.

“But the police handled everything. They contacted my adoptive family and confirmed the DNA match. I never met anyone from the foundation.”

Fiona’s face turned green.

“Nina, what are you talking about? You agreed to let us use your case for publicity.”

“I did. But I never agreed to let you rewrite my story.”

Fiona’s expression finally cracked.

Just then, a middle-aged man in plain clothes stood up in the back row and walked toward the stage.

“My name is Michael Carter. I’m with the city’s child trafficking task force.”

He looked at me and smiled.

“I didn’t expect to run into you here. This girl was kidnapped at fourteen. She remained calm the entire time and signaled passersby for help, which ultimately led to her rescue. Her story was later turned into a public safety video that has helped countless people.”

The crowd’s attitude changed instantly.

“She knew how to signal for help at fourteen? That was quick thinking!”

“She’s brilliant. Now that’s what you’d expect from the Bennetts’ biological daughter!”

After the gala, Dad sought me out for the first time.

“You handled yourself well tonight, Nina. You didn’t get nervous at all.

“The foundation needs more people overseeing its supplies and inventory. Why don’t you give it a try?”

Ethan frowned.

“Dad, Fiona built that foundation from the ground up.”

Fiona’s nails dug into her palm, but she kept smiling.

“Dad’s right. The foundation was created to help children who went through what Nina did. It’s only right that she get involved.”

The next day, a foundation employee created a staff account for me.

I sat down at my desk and took screenshots of the account permissions. Then I photographed every page of the handover documents and recorded all the equipment serial numbers.

After that, I uploaded backup copies of everything.

The employee glanced over curiously.

“Miss Bennett, you’re incredibly thorough.”

I smiled.

“Just a habit. I like to keep records of everything.”

That evening, a message from Fiona popped up right on schedule.

“Nina, the foundation’s operations are pretty complicated. I’ll personally walk you through the transition tomorrow~”

I replied immediately.

“Got it!”