âIâm not sure about the other stuff, but I think your mom was from a rich family. One time⦠one time I saw her go into this fancy mansion. She even called the old couple in there mom and dad.â
Seeing Arnoldâs slight embarrassment, Ellinor could guess that he must have had a crush on her mom and secretly followed her.
Arnold couldnât help but daydream as he thought back to the past.
âBut your mom was very down-to-earth, smart, and kind. She didnât act like a rich snob. She was pretty popular in school and was practically everyoneâs dream girlâ
Yeah, Mom was very kind and nice In Ellinorâs fragmented memories, her momâs image was blurry, but she could feel her constant gentle smile.
Ellinor remembered when she was taken in by the Mendoza family at age five. Normally, a five-year-old should remember things, but she couldnât recall anything before that age. It was weird âMr. Arnold, where was the fancy mansion my mom went into?â Ellinor asked, focusing on the important detail.
âIn H city, where I went to college. But itâs been more than a decade and the city planning has changed a lot. Iâd get lost if I went back now. That mansion was probably demolished and replaced with other city facilities.â
âWhy couldnât my mom pick me up from the hospital herself? Why did she ask you to do that?â
Arnold hesitated before saying âWell, we were both in the art club during university We bumped into each other at a club reunion and exchanged contacts. That day, she suddenly contacted me, saying she was in danger and asked me to protect her daughter, you. I agreed impulsively. After that, I couldnât reach her. I think her enemies found her. Sheâs probably dead.â
It was clear that Arnold agreed impulsively and didnât want to take care of Ellinor after he took her home.
Ellinor held no grudges. She wasnât Arnoldâs daughter, so it was normal if he didnât love her.
Arnoldâs agreement to take her in was a good deed.
âDo you have any other information about my mom? Asked Ellinor after jotting down all the clues.
Arnold thought for a moment, then said, âOne more thingâ
âWhat is it?â
âYour mom was a famous painter, known as Lady Lotusâ
âI know that.â
âAs far as I know, her teacher was the famous painter Mr. Michell. If you could contact him, you might get more information about your mom.â
âI see. Thanks for the clues, Mr. Arnoldâ
She got up, ready to leave âEllinor.â
Arnold called out to her.
She paused, looking back. âAnything else, Mr. Arnold?â
Arnold felt mixed emotions as he looked at Ellinor, who was starting to resemble his first love.
Ellinor was the child of his dream girl, which made him feel a bit fond of her. But at the same time, he was reminded that she was the child of his dream girl and another man, which made him feel sick.
Thatâs why he agreed to Tracyâs suggestion to send Ellinor away. Out of sight, out of mind Arnold frowned. âDonât say I didnât warn you. Youâd better stop looking for your momâ
âWhy?â
âI donât know exactly what happened to your mom, but she told me repeatedly that no one should know youâre her daughter. Otherwise, youâd be in mortal danger.â