The Harringtons were among the oldest and most influential families in Solmaris, their wealth and power spanning generations.

Harrison Harrington—Amy's biological father—ruled the family with an iron grip. He had three sons and one daughter.

The youngest two were identical twins.

Public records stated that Mrs. Harrington had passed away giving birth to their youngest, Aurora.

Since then, Harrison had remained unmarried, never seen with another woman by his side.

The world praised his undying devotion to his late wife.

Even Sebastian Kingsley believed it.

He had personally witnessed women throwing themselves at Harrison, only to be met with icy indifference.

Sebastian had met all four Harrington children on multiple occasions.

Harrison had raised them impeccably—graceful, eloquent, and striking in both appearance and demeanor.

His gaze flickered to Amy, sharpening slightly.

She didn’t resemble the Harringtons at all.

The other three children, however, bore Harrison’s features so distinctly that no one could deny their lineage.

No one ever questioned Aurora’s place in the family.

As for Amy, people simply assumed she took after her mother.

Sebastian leaned forward. "So, Celeste, do you plan on returning to the Harrington estate?"

Amy’s voice was cool. "There’s no connection between us. They never truly accepted me, and I have no interest in forcing my way back in."

Before her mother died, she had feared Amy would be left vulnerable. That was why she had revealed her true parentage—hoping Amy could find shelter under her father and brothers’ protection.

But when Amy returned, she was met with suspicion at every turn.

Those so-called brothers doted on Aurora as if she were the sun, treating Amy like a thief who might steal their precious sister’s happiness.

After leaving, Amy reclaimed her own life—no longer living in anyone’s shadow.

Still, her academic records were a problem.

Back in school, she had gone by Evelyn.

Now, untangling her past and reestablishing her real identity wouldn’t be easy.

Sebastian seemed to sense her frustration. "If you want to fix your records, it’s not impossible. The Harringtons would need to cooperate, providing the necessary documentation."

But...

If Amy hadn’t mentioned it, Sebastian wouldn’t have even known "Evelyn" existed. There had never been a whisper about an adopted daughter or an illegitimate child.

Clearly, the Harringtons had gone to great lengths to erase her.

Looking back, it made sense.

The Harringtons had a reputation to uphold, and Harrison had spent decades cultivating his image as a devoted widower. If word got out about a secret daughter, questions would arise—and people might dig deeper.

With Harrington Enterprises thriving, any scandal was unacceptable. Aurora’s position could be jeopardized.

The stigma of illegitimacy would follow Amy forever, a stain she couldn’t wash away.

No wonder Aurora—or those protecting her—wanted Amy gone.

Samantha turned to Amy, frowning. "Celeste, the Blackwoods keep using your academic records against you. Victoria’s been flaunting it everywhere. Now that you’re in the spotlight, they’ll definitely weaponize this."

She sighed. "You need to resolve this, and soon."

Amy rubbed her temples. She had no desire to deal with the Harringtons again. If not for her mother’s dying wish—that she try to reconcile with her so-called family—she would never have stayed as long as she did.

The next morning, at the Royal Oaks Academy.

Oliver sat in the music room, practicing his violin.