?Chapter 728:

    Norwood and Joslyn echoed the sentiment, their heads bobbing in agreement. Wanda, ever the queen in her own y, granted them a crumb of hope. “Rest assured, I’ll do what I can to help you reim the Craig family’s former glory.”

    That one line lit up the entire room. Bonnie, Norwood, and Joslyn beamed at her. After all, Merlin’s wrath had already cost them dearly—their social standing, thest shreds of their influence, and the Evans family’s support. If Wanda could bring them back into favor, enduring a few sharp words was a small price to pay.

    Tiring quickly of their fawning, Wanda cut the visit short.

    Outside, Eva’s chauffeured car waited patiently.

    The Craig family scrambled to see Wanda off, showering her with extravagant gifts meant for Eva—tokens of appeasement Wanda epted without hesitation.

    Wanda had never allowed the Craig family to set foot inside the Campbell estate—an unspoken boundary drawn to keep them from discovering the painful truth: she was disliked by Arthur and Milton. One glimpse of her marginal status in their eyes would shatter the illusion of power she wielded before the Craigs.

    But thevish gifts meant for Eva? Those Wanda epted dly. They were more than offerings—they were currency. Wanda intended to use them wisely to maintain favor with Eva, the only person in the Campbell household who truly embraced her.

    The Campbells, as always, made a statement. A fleet of top-tier luxury vehicles had been dispatched just to bring Wanda home—an opulent disy meant to remind the world of the family’s wealth and influence.

    Roughly an hour after leaving the Craig mansion, they arrived at Harmony Estate.

    As Wanda stepped into the grand living room, her voice turned sugary sweet. “Mommy!”

    Eva looked up from her coffee and greeted her with a radiant smile. “Wanda, you’re back.”

    “Yes, Mommy,” Wanda said as she sank gracefully onto the sofa beside Eva. “It has felt like forever since Ist saw you. I missed you so much!”

    Eva’s expression softened, glowing with warmth. “I worried that seeing your biological parents might make you forget about me—your adoptive mother.”

    “Forget you?” Wanda’s voice brimmed with conviction. “Never. You raised me. You’re my true mommy.”

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    Wanda knew how to strike the right chords. She leaned in gently, her voice honeyed. “I visited the Craig family because you asked me to. But their house isn’t my home. This is my home. And you, Mommy—you’re the most important person in my life.”

    Every wordnded like a balm on Eva’s heart. Deprived of her husband’s love and unable to bear children of her own, she had poured every drop of her maternal hope into Wanda. Although she wore her generosity like a crown—never hiding Wanda’s origins, even encouraging her to connect with the Craigs—deep inside, she harbored a persistent fear: that the girl she raised might one day turn her back on her and go to the family that gave her life. Wanda’s reassurance melted those fears away.

    Growing up by Eva’s side, Wanda had mastered reading Eva’s moods. Now, seeing the relief and delight in Eva’s eyes, she knew she had said exactly what Eva needed to hear. Still, she kept up the act—her expression warm, her voice sweet, as if every word had sprung straight from the heart.

    “Mommy, where are Dad and Milton?” Wanda asked with practiced innocence.

    Eva pointedzily toward the stairs. “In the study. They’re discussing something.”

    “I’ll go say hello,” Wanda replied with a soft smile, rising gracefully to her feet.

    “Go ahead,” Eva said, eyes fond.

    As Wanda ascended the grand staircase, she spotted a servant approaching with a silver tray of coffee. Her steps quickened. “I’ll take that,” she said smoothly, intercepting the tray before it reached the door. “I’ll bring it to them myself.”

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