Chapter 252: Half Sister

"Strange. What happened to your neck?" Isabella asked.

Elaine looked over, momentarily stunned by the familiar scene.

Zendaya, already feeling itchy, said, "I'm fine. It's just an allergic reaction. I'll go take care of it," before leaving.

"She's allergic? To alcohol?" Elaine asked. "She seems to have a sensitive constitution."

Isabella found this peculiar. She'd never seen Zendaya drink alcohol at previous gatherings. Subconsciously, she used the system to investigate.

Elaine rejoined her friends, ranting about Clifford treating Zendaya as a mere substitute—a behavior she found unjust and inhumane. Everyone was speechless; Clifford's actions were indeed inhumane, but Elaine's reaction was surprisingly strong.

Meanwhile, Isabella, lost in thought while using the system, was gently pulled back to her seat by Alexander, who wiped wine from her fingers. "No way!" she exclaimed, widening her eyes. Alexander, immune to her thoughts, remained calm.

"Both are allergic to lemons, and they look so similar," Isabella mused. "Could Elaine have a long-lost sister? Is this cliché?"

Even Alexander was unsettled. The coincidences seemed too numerous to ignore. However, he'd never heard of the Graham family losing a member. Could Zendaya be an illegitimate child? Yet, Elaine's parents were deeply in love and adored Elaine. While Alexander pondered, Isabella found the situation increasingly strange.

Isabella recalled the Evian incident. Unless the person involved already knew the truth, she needed to delve deep into the system. Previously, her investigation into Zendaya and Elaine had only revealed surface details. Now, she examined them more closely. "Hmm, Zendaya's details are straightforward: her parents died in a car accident; no family could be contacted; she was sent to an orphanage. She has childhood memories of her parents and resembles her mother. As for Elaine Damn, is this real? Elaine's current mother isn't her biological mother!"

Alexander, upon hearing this, suspected a possibility.

"I see. This is outrageous. When Elaine was young, she saw her biological mother having an affair and running away. Very young, Elaine clung to her mother, refusing to let her go. Her mother, in a panic, pushed her down the stairs. Even injured, Elaine reached for her mother, who tearfully apologized and left with her lover. Elaine was left physically and emotionally wounded," Isabella grimaced.

Alexander looked at the vibrant Elaine. It was impossible to tell from her demeanor.

"No wonder Old Mr. and Mrs. Graham forced Mr. Graham to remarry. They disapproved of his marriage to Elaine's mother, which he'd only achieved through resistance. After his wife's betrayal, disheartened, he no longer resisted. He just wanted his daughter to be well. He initially resisted his new wife, imposed by his parents, but she genuinely cared for Elaine, nursing her back to health. Elaine accepted her stepmother before her father, considering her her mother. Mr. Graham, however, still searched for Elaine's biological mother, not to win her back, but for closure. He eventually told Elaine her mother had died, asking if she wished to visit the grave. Elaine refused, stating she had only one mother. Meanwhile, her stepmother, deeply devoted, chose not to have children. Elaine's relationship with her stepmother was so strong, she'd long forgotten her biological mother," Isabella mused.

Alexander suddenly realized something. Even when Zendaya had her allergic reaction, Isabella had speculated, but Elaine hadn't. Perhaps she subconsciously resisted anything related to her birth mother. Yet, Elaine was flamboyant and fearless; could she truly harbor no doubts?

The more Isabella investigated, the more suspicious she became. Both Elaine and Zendaya lost their mothers—a frightening coincidence. Though their mothers had different names, Zendaya's age and the timing of Elaine's mother's elopement… "Damn, it's highly probable! Could the world be this cliché?" Isabella was so engrossed she ignored those trying to talk to her.

"Isabella? Isabella?" Elaine asked, puzzled.

Alexander said, "She's lost in thought."

Elaine chuckled. "She looks adorable. So, you like this type, huh?"

"It doesn't matter what she's like. I'd like her anyway."

Elaine laughed hysterically.

Isabella, having discovered the truth, ignored them. "Damn! They're half-sisters, different fathers!"

Alexander, conversing with Elaine, looked at her in disbelief.

Elaine laughed, then asked casually, without looking at Alexander, "By the way, that woman, Zendaya, is she really a fan of Isabella?" Alexander nodded.

"How old is she?" Elaine asked.

Alexander, brow furrowed, replied, "I heard she just turned twenty."

Elaine's eyelashes quivered.

Isabella, regaining composure, wanted to share the news with Alexander, but seeing Elaine nearby, felt guilty. With other long-lost sisters, she'd have helped them reunite, but she wasn't sure about this situation. Elaine's mother had had an affair and abandoned her; Zendaya was innocent, but Elaine was even more so. Given the circumstances, Isabella wasn't sure how Elaine would react to Zendaya.

Elaine, seemingly composed, smiled and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Isabella stammered, "I wonder if there will be more commotion when Clifford returns."

Elaine seemed to have dismissed Clifford.

After chatting, Elaine went for a swim, but seemed agitated and left quickly. "I want a drink. Where's that young girl? Why hasn't she arrived yet? Could it be a severe allergic reaction? I'll go check on her," Elaine said, breaking the silence.