Maureen’s distraught look sent an inexplicable panic through Geoffrey, who immediately took her back to their residence.

    Back at the residence,

    Geoffrey draped a coat over her shoulders. “What did you want to ask?”

    “Do you have a twin brother?”

    Maureen clenched the photo in her hand, not showing it to him directly.

    The word “brother” made Geoffrey’s expression instantly turn icy.

    He released his grip on Maureen’s arm. “Yes.”

    “Why have I never heard about him?

    Where is he now?”

    Maureen pressed.

    Geoffrey’s lips pressed into a thin line, frosty eyes filled with anger. “You came to the banquet just to ask this?”

    Maureen met his gaze steadily.

    A cold smirk twisted Geoffrey’s lips as his words cut like knives

    “This bis /ba family matter. You don’t need to know”

    Family matter

    Hearing this, Maureen understood she’d learn nothing from him

    She felt d she hadn’t shown him the photo, slipping it quietly into her pocket “I understand. I won’t ask again”

    Geoffrey’s eyes narrowed with suspicion “Why ask about him suddenly?”

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    Alex remained the Sutton family’s unspoken taboo–no one ever mentions him.

    The servants who knew of Alex’s existence also knew that Geoffrey didn’t like them to gossip.

    “Did someone tell you somethingb?/b”

    Geoffrey pressed further.

    Maureen didn’t tell the truth and lied: “Last time I overheard your conversation with Heather and learned about your brother, and just now when I came back from a walk, I happened to hear someone talking about it and wanted to ask you.”

    This clumsy lie couldn’t convince Geoffrey at all.

    Because he had seen with his own eyes how anxiously Maureen was looking for him, how distraught she was, as if something big had happened.

    “I’m sorry, I was too anxious just now and embarrassed you.”

    Maureen slowly calmed herself down and apologized.

    Geoffrey didn’t press further: “Don’t talk to me about him from now on.”

    The party was still going on, but Geoffrey didn’t stay and left directly.

    After he left, when there was no one at home, Maureen dared to take out the photo that she had crumpled.

    Looking at the gentle and warm young man in the photo, her throat suddenly ached and her eyes burned.

    Her fingertip stroked the handsome, smiling face of the young man over and over.

    “I couldn’t be mistaken, right… Brother Geoff.

    b” /b

    The only response was the sound of wind rustling leaves outside.

    With this photo in hand, memories from her childhood were brought back.

    Maureen sat on the sofa, her mind filled with images of that gentle boy.

    He’d smile while teaching her how to solve problems, showing her piano keys, chasing away bullies, or finding herte at night to bring her home…

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    Maureen remembered clearly–during her darkest moments, he’d said: “Reenie, we’re all facing life’s hardest ordeal. Survive it, and you’ll be reborn.”

    So no matter what hardships cameter, she focused on enduring the ordeal.

    How could she ever mistake someone so wonderful?

    Maureen carefully tucked the photo inside her clothes, hugging a pillow as she leaned dazedly against the sofa.

    When Geoffrey returned, he found her still in day clothes, asleep on the couch.

    He strode forward, about to wake her for changing clothes, when she suddenly grabbed his

    hand.

    “Geoff… I’ve missed you so much.”

    The various criticisms Geoffrey suffered at today’s banquet suddenly seemed trivial at this

    moment.

    He didn’t wake Maureen, but instead pulled her into his embrace.

    It was then he felt Maureen’s forehead burning hot.

    “You’re burning up!”

    Maureen stirred awake from his movement, head throbbing: “You’re back.”

    “Yeah.

    You’ve got a fever. I’ll call the doctor.”

    Geoffrey started toy her down to reach for his phone.

    Maureen suddenly clung to him: “I don’t need a doctor. Some cold and fever meds will fix

    me.”

    It’d been nearly half a month since shest checked for pregnancy. A doctor discovering it now would be disastrous.

    The woman melted against him, soft and pliant.

    Geoffrey’s foul mood from earlier vanishedpletely.

    “Be good.”

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    But Maureen held tight: “Geoff, please no doctor. I’m begging you–I’m fine, really.”

    Her velvet pleas wrapped around him, pulling him under.

    He hadn’t lost his head yet.

    “What’s gotten into you today?”

    In his eyes, Maureen rarely acted coy–especially since returning from abroad. When she did, she always wanted something.

    Maureen saw his suspicion and buried her face in his chest, her voice tear–choked:

    “My dad died in the hospital, and so did my baby. I’m terrified of seeing doctors.”

    The mention of Maureen’s father and child made Geoffrey relent.

    “I’ll get your medicine.”

    “Okay.”

    Geoffrey released her and stood to fetch the fever reducers.

    Maureen curled on the sofa, watching his tall, straight–backed figure with vacant eyes.

    He returned swiftly, handing her warm water and pills.

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