"My dear daughter, come downstairs. I'll take you home for a visit."

She glanced at the clock in disbelief. It was nine in the morning.

It appeared that Absolon was the most eager of all.

As Gerard rubbed his temples and sat up, he sighed, “Absolon has always wanted a daughter. It's clear he's thrilled you're coming home."

“Do you need more sleep?" As Lilah got out of bed, she looked over at Gerard, who was still in bed.

He asked, “Can you manage on your own?"

“Why wouldn't I be able to handle my own home?" she replied.

"Alright." Gerard nodded. “If anything comes up, just call me. Don't try to handle it all by yourself."

"Don't worry, I know what to do," Lilah reassured him.

After freshening up and getting dressed, Lilah descended the stairs to find Absolon waiting in a lavish limousine.

"Absolon really goes over the top," Lilah muttered to herself, her heart heavy with complaint as she settled beside him with a heavy sigh.

“Don't worry, Lilah. There's no need to be afraid," Absolon reassured her, sensing her unease. “Your uncle had urgent matters to attend to today and couldn't make it, but your grandmother is there. Make sure to say hello to her."

Lilah nodded, her brow furrowed with concern. "Just returning like this, will they—"

"Nobody will dare to cause trouble. And if they do, I'll handle it,"

Absolon declared with a firm resolve. "I'm here for you, Lilah. I won't let anyone mistreat you."

Lilah trusted Absolon's words, yet she remained skeptical about Karol accepting her as a Morris and sharing with her the familial title.

Her fears seemed justified the moment she stepped into the Morris home, feeling the undercurrents of hostility.

"Is that you, Lilah? My, how you've grown." Danna Morris, Absolon's mother, greeted her with a strained smile. "You bear no resemblance to Absolon. It must have been difficult for him to track you down."

"Though she doesn't look like me, she's the spitting image of Joselyn in her youth. I knew it was her the moment I saw her," Absolon interjected.

“That woman..." Danna began, her lips tightening as she trailed off, her tone laden with unspoken words and judgments.

Karol pursed her lips, glanced at Danna, and then turned her gaze to Lilah.

Even if Lilah managed to prove Absolon was her father and returned home, what good would it do her? She was still an outsider here.

With that thought, Karol felt a surge of satisfaction. She flashed a smile and said, “Grandma, you haven't mentioned Joselyn at all. She must have been quite the beautiful and refined lady, right?"

Her question was deliberate.