Chapter 201

Natalia’s hand trembled as she read the letter. The paper slipped from her grasp, her heart pounded like a drum, and her blood was roaring in her ears. What on earth did the woman who had given birth to her intend to do?

A terrible thought flashed across her mind, making her heart jump with dread. Lena wouldn’t do something foolish, would she? The woman who had abandoned her all those years ago had been fine up until now. Now that Natalia had grown up and returned, Lena surely wouldn’t do something drastic, would she?

But the dreadful thought kept spreading, making Natalia’s heart pound harder. She couldn’t care less about her past problems. Letting the letter fall to the ground, she quickly followed the path Lena had taken. Outside the castle, a broad road stretched out. The direction Lena had taken was not the one leading to her home.

Natalia followed her intuition, and her heart was pounding with fear. She wouldn’t… She couldn’t…

Although Natalia walked for what felt like forever, she couldn’t find Lena. Pain shot through her feet, and she collapsed in despair, with tears streaming down her face. Natalia didn’t know why she was crying. Was it because of her abandonment, or the thought that Lena might have done something terrible?

A car horn beeped, and Natalia looked up to see Callum rolling down his car window. “Buttercup,” he called. “Rita told me you ran out of the castle?”

Without waiting for the car to stop, he stepped out. Callum’s face was filled with concern. “Have you been crying? What happened? Are your feet hurting?”

Natalia shook her head. “Cal, Lena was here, she…” But she didn’t know how to explain the letter she had received. She had only guessed that Lena might have done something drastic. But what if she was wrong?

“Did you come after Lena because of this letter?” Callum asked, taking out the letter Natalia had dropped.

“How did you get this?”

“I heard from Rita that Lena was looking for you. I went to check, but I didn’t find you there. I found this letter on the ground. I opened it without your permission, I’m sorry. After reading it, I was worried, so I rushed to find you. Luckily, since you were moving on foot, I found you easily.”

As he spoke, Callum helped Natalia to her feet. “Let’s go look for Lena. She might be in danger Natalia nodded, not caring that Callum had read her letter “But Cal, where should we look her? I saw her heading this way, but after walking for so long I didn’t se anywhere.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll find her soon if we go by car,” he assured her. After helping a panicked Natalia fasten her seatbelt, he added, “Don’t worry, she’ll be fine.”

Although he was comforting Natalia, Callum was worried. The words in Lena’s letter clearly conveyed her intention of ending her own life. He didn’t agree with Natalia finding out about her origins, but now that she knew, he didn’t want her to face the pain of losing her mother again. He’d do anything to prevent his darling from getting hurt.

As they drove along the coastal road, Callum frowned in concern. “Lena, you’ve held on for so many years. Please don’t do anything rash.”

Sitting next to him, Natalia’s face was pale. She was afraid that things would turn out as she had feared.

They drove for a long time without seeing any sign of Lena. Callum’s face darkened. It seemed Lena was indeed planning to end her life. Natalia’s heart sank, and she let Callum drive her back to the castle.

As they returned to the castle, Callum tried to comfort Natalia. “Buttercup, don’t overthink. Maybe things aren’t as bad as you think.” His words rang hollow even to his own ears. Natalia didn’t respond and walked back into the castle like a sleepwalker.

Just then, a shrill voice rang out, “You shameless little brat, get out of here!”

Callum turned in fury. “Who gave you the right to yell and insult people in my castle?”

Natalia looked over to see Alice, a woman she had met once before, marching towards them.

Alice had been swearing at Natalia but was taken aback when Callum scolded her. She pointed a finger at Natalia and complained to Callum, “Cal, do you know who she is? She’s the illegitimate daughter of that slut Lena and my father. You’re letting her stay in your castle. Kick her out!” Her voice echoed through the castle.

“Enough! This is my castle. You’d better leave before I lose my temper!” Callum ordered, pointing to the door.

He turned to Rita, who had followed Alice in. “Rita, what kind of gatekeeper are you, letting a mad dog run in?”

I’m sorry, sir. Miss Alice insisted on coming in. I’ll ask her to leave immediately. Rita hurried to Alice’s side and said, “Miss Alice, please leave.”

Alice’s face was flushed; she couldn’t believe that she was being treated this way by Callum She remembered, not too long ago, Callum was always gentle with her, and never once raised his voice in her presence of that damn woman, Natalia! She was the one pulling the string A wave of anger washed over Alice, and she shook off Rita’s comforting hand, striding over to Natalia in two swift steps. She raised her hand and aimed a slap at Natalia’s face. “You little bitch, you and your wicked mother are both nothing but trouble!”