Mrs. Rivers sighed. “Before Zoe was disfigured, she looked almost identical to your mother. They are twins, after all, and people who don’t know them well could easily mix them up. Your father had no idea The Donovan Group had two daughters, and at the charity g where your parents first met, Zoe hadn’t even returned to the country yet.”

    “At the time, your grandfather nned to marry your mother off to the eldest son of the Sutcliffe real estate family, and Zoe was meant to marry into the Rayburns. That’s actually when Zoe first met your father. He mistook her for the woman who’d stolen his heart that night, but it didn’t take long for him to realize there were two Donovan sisters. Just as he tried to exin the mix–up to Zoe, that terrible fire happened.”

    Charlotte frowned. “So, before the ident, my aunt didn’t realize that my father had mistaken her for my mother all along…”

    Mrs. Rivers let out a long breath. “That’s right. Sometimes, fate does have a cruel sense of humor.”

    Charlotte fell silent.

    No wonder Zoe resented her sister. No wonder she hated Sean Rayburn too.

    From Zoe’s perspective, it made sense: she thought Sean cared for her, that they were a perfect match, and then a fire ruined her life. The man she’d set her heart on ended up marrying her sister…

    Still, no matter how tragic Zoe’s story was, the sympathy wore thin. She’d

    orchestrated the switch, driven her own sister to madness, and even colluded with a

    murderer like Tricia. Whatever pity Charlotte might’ve felt for her vanished in the face of such cruelty.

    …

    The next day, Charlotte went to the hospital to help Hiram pack his things. He was ready to be discharged, suitcase in hand, when he turned to her. “Sis, will youe back to the city?”

    She paused, then ruffled his hair and smiled. “Of course I will. As long as you’re there, I’ll alwayse back.”

    Hiram nodded, though she could see the reluctance in his eyes.

    Charlotte looked at Julian. “I’m trusting you to look after my brother.”

    b17:13 /b

    Julian nodded. “You can count on me, Miss.”

    Charlotte watched as Hiram and Julian left the room. The parting tugged at her heart,

    but she felt more at ease knowing Hiram was in good hands.

    Just then, her phone rang. It was Old Mr. Carstairs.

    Charlotte picked up right away. “Professor.”

    “You’ve been on leave for ages. Ready to get back ito /iwork?”

    A hint of guilt shed across her face. “I’m sorry to keep iyou /iwaiting.”

    Old Mr. Carstairs snorted. “If you know that, then get yourself back here. If iyou /idy any longer, I won’t be able to cover for you.”

    “I understand. I’lle by as soon as I’m free.”

    Charlotte spent the morning seeing patients, then headed to the research center in

    the afternoon.

    As soon as she arrived, she heard the news–Tricia had been promoted to lead researcher for Group B’s project. While Charlotte was away, Professor Aldridge had entrusted Tricia with nearly half of Group B’s work.

    And just a few days ago, Tricia had secured major sponsorship from the Nn Group, earning Aldridge’s full confidence.

    Charlotte wasn’t surprised in the least.

    If you want someone to fall, you have to lift them up first.

    There are imany /iways ito /idestroy a person, but nothing hurts quite like breaking their spirit.

    Meanwhile, Tricia was having dinner with Nn Group’s executives to celebrate the

    sponsorship.

    With their funding, the nanomedicine project would finally move forward, and Professor Aldridge now hadplete faith in her.

    Zoe certainly had her ways, Tricia thought. She even had connections to Mr. Selwyn, Nn Group’srgest shareholder.

    With that in mind, Tricia raised her ss to the executives, her smile ttering and eager. “I really have to thank Mr. Selwyn for his generous support. If this nanomedicine ever makes it to market, I won’t forget what you and Mr. Selwyn have done for me. By the way, where is Mr. Selwyn tonight?”

    17:13

    Chapter b396 /b

    Mr. Whitmore set down his drink. “He’s just next door. Would you like to meet him?”

    Tricia nodded, her curiosity piqued. She was eager ito /isee what kind of man was willing to help her.

    Maybe he’d be worth getting close to.