Chapter 453 Several Groups Investigate Her
Isadora's grandmother froze mid-gesture, her hands suddenly still on the armrests of her rocking chair.
Oblivious to the change, Isadora continued enthusiastically, "Grandmother, meeting Master Deer in person was the highlight of my trip! This is the first time I've seen her without her veil—she's absolutely stunning, which explains why she usually covers her face."
"She's a bit reserved, but speaks so gently. And guess what? Master Deer is actually married! Her real name is Victoria, and she's from Stellaria in Rihegde."
"Something unfortunate happened during the competition, though. I was shocked to learn about her family background," Isadora pouted, staring at the photo of herself with Victoria. She'd always imagined someone as exceptional as Master Deer would come from a perfect family.
After the competition, she'd done some research. Until then, she hadn't known Master Deer's real identity was Victoria. What she discovered about Victoria's past had surprised her.
Lost in her monologue, Isadora completely missed her grandmother's dramatic change in expression.
"Isadora, where did you say she was from?" her grandmother suddenly asked.
"Stellaria in Rihegde," Isadora replied, turning toward her. "Grandmother, are you alright? You look unwell."
Only then did she notice her grandmother's pallor. She put away her phone and knelt before her.
"Grandmother, let me call the doctor..."
"No need," her grandmother caught her hand. "Just help me inside."
Once settled in the living room, Isadora still worried about her grandmother's complexion. "Please, let me call the doctor."
"That won't be necessary," she said. "Isadora, go to my study and bring me the photo album from the right desk drawer."
Isadora quickly retrieved the old album and handed it to her grandmother, who began turning the pages. The first image was of a baby, its gender indistinguishable.
"Who is this, Grandmother?" Isadora knew it wasn't her mother or uncles. As far as she knew, her grandmother had only two biological children in the Penrose family: her eldest uncle and an aunt she'd never met—someone whose name was forbidden in family conversation.
As her grandmother continued turning pages, Isadora spotted a familiar face—a beautiful young woman of about seventeen or eighteen. The resemblance was unmistakable.
"Grandmother, is that...?"
Connecting her grandmother's earlier reaction to the photo, Isadora finally understood.
Her grandmother sighed deeply, her voice filled with regret: "This is your aunt. She disappeared over twenty years ago without a trace. She must truly hate me to have stayed away so long."
Isadora knew nothing about what had happened, as her aunt's very existence was taboo within the Penrose family.
"Could Master Deer be my aunt's daughter?" Isadora asked. The coincidence would be remarkable.
Her grandmother stared at the album thoughtfully. "I want to meet this girl." Then, more firmly. "Isadora, tell no one about this for now."
"I understand, Grandmother."
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Serenia, Zephyr had left immediately after Victoria's group departed. He immediately ordered a thorough investigation into Victoria's background.
When Esme had vanished years ago, she'd erased all traces of herself. Despite his efforts, he'd found nothing—until today, when his friend sent him that video file.
No one could understand the emotions that had surged through him in that moment. For over twenty years, she had hidden from him. He'd imagined she might start a family, but actually seeing her child had still been painful.
Yet he had no right to blame her. He was the one who had broken their promise first.
At the Presidential Palace, Waverly had intended to find Zephyr, but Casey intercepted her at the main building. Forced to retreat, she immediately ordered a new investigation into Victoria's background.
The way her parents had reacted to Victoria earlier had been unmistakable—especially her father. It made her deeply uneasy.
At the hospital, Winter reported to Victoria, "Since you returned from Hearst Castle this afternoon, several parties have been investigating you. We've encrypted the critical information, but your previous identities in Rihegde can't be completely erased."
They were alone in the hospital room; Alexander had stepped out on business.
Victoria wasn't surprised—she had her suspicions about who was looking into her past.
"Understood," she replied.
"One more thing," Winter added. "You asked us to track your mother's whereabouts. She's currently in Country M."
Winter had been shocked to learn Victoria's mother was alive. They'd all believed she died when Victoria was very young.
"Country M?" Victoria frowned slightly but didn't pursue it. "Keep monitoring the situation."
She then changed the subject. "What about the investigation into that Organization 103 badge found at the Presidential Palace?"
This posed a security threat—someone at the Palace clearly had connections to Organization 103.
Winter responded, "Eugene is handling it. We have records on almost everyone at the Presidential Palace in our database, and most appear clean. But there's something strange..."
Victoria looked up. "What is it?"
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