Chapter 545

Elyse knew the truth was harsh, but as her parents' child, how could she escape it and live in blissful ignorance?

Morgan looked at Elyse, saw the resolve in her eyes, and realized she had overanalyzed the situation and kept Elyse in suspense too long. She picked up her coffee cup, took a small sip, and considered where to begin. Finally, she asked, "Did you know your father could play the violin?"

Elyse nodded. "My instructor, Mr. Cody Tucker, mentioned that my father was a brilliant violinist with an extraordinary gift!"

"Cody Tucker?" Morgan said. "Oh, right, you became his apprentice. How could I have forgotten?" Hearing Cody's name, she patted her forehead. Memories flooded back; she had completely overlooked him.

"Your father and Cody were more than just fellow students; they shared a deep bond," Morgan said, her mind drifting momentarily to those days. "Whenever I went to the music hall to find your father, they were often immersed in discussions about music."

After a brief pause, she looked up and smiled sadly at Elyse. "But your father was disowned by his family for marrying your mother. Later, to support his family, he set aside his musical dreams and started his own company."

Elyse was taken aback. "Did my dad really give up on music?"

"Not entirely," Morgan said, her voice softening. "I asked your dad about it, and he casually mentioned…" Morgan sniffled, her eyes welling up. "He said he never truly abandoned music. Once he could ensure a stable life for the family, he intended to pursue his dream again. He always had that dream."

Tears brimming, Morgan continued, "He managed to establish the company. Although it didn't reach the pinnacle of success, it provided stability. I watched your parents' lives improve." She paused, taking a deep breath. "Tragically, just before you were born, they were in a car accident. You were born prematurely and placed in an incubator."

Elyse had no inkling of this. She only knew she was often sickly as a child, more fragile than other children. Lanny and Glenda, however, never truly cared for her, often denying her food and refusing medical treatment when she fell ill. To survive, Elyse often had to cater to Mabel's whims to secure food and medicine. Over time, Mabel began treating Elyse like her maid.

Morgan gazed at the silent Elyse and murmured, "Despite the car accident, your parents weren't dead."

Elyse slowly lifted her head, her eyes filled with shock and bewilderment.

"In the crash, your father shielded your mother. After you were born, your mother was frail but still alive," Morgan reminisced. "Your father was in critical condition, slipping into a coma, but the doctors believed he could recover with treatment. It wasn't a lost cause."

Elyse's eyes widened. "So my parents survived?!"

"Absolutely! How could they perish so easily? There was always hope!" Morgan angrily pounded the table, her eyes blazing with resentment. "But Lanny, your wretched uncle, a useless good-for-nothing, got your aunt-in-law pregnant and couldn't support his family, accumulating mountains of debt."

She paused, her eyes flashing with hatred. "Somehow, he learned about your parents' accident and concocted a diabolical plan. He went to the hospital, removed your father's oxygen mask, strangled your mother, took over your father's company, and embezzled the enormous insurance payout your dad had secured for you."

Elyse trembled. "Lanny murdered my parents for money?"

Morgan nodded grimly. "Yes. The small company Lanny runs now was originally your father's. Do you know why he took you in instead of abandoning you in an orphanage? Because the compensation money could only be claimed when you turned eighteen."

Elyse drifted into a memory. "When I turned eighteen, Lanny bought a new car. At that time, the company was already struggling, and no one knew where he got the money."

Morgan sneered. "I was your father's right-hand person in the company. If he were still managing it, how could it remain a small enterprise after twenty years? It was due to Lanny's incompetence and squandering."

After revealing everything, Morgan gripped Elyse's hand tightly. "Don't let Lanny Lloyd get away with it. He's a monster. I witnessed the murder with my own eyes!"