Chapter 676 (+25 Bonus)

Violet summoned Carissa and Jacob to her study. Rafael was absent. Jacob, eager for news, refused to wait.

Violet's first words brought Jacob to tears. "Jacob, I'm sure she's your sister."

Since Violet's departure, Jacob had been restless, sleepless, and his eyes were shadowed with dark circles. He'd been about to question her when she spoke. He was stunned, then wept openly.

With Carissa and Violet watching, he trembled as he approached the desk, sat, and rested his forehead on the surface, seemingly for an eternity.

Finally, his red-rimmed eyes lifted. "Are you sure, Ms. Spencer? You must be responsible for your words."

"I am sure. She mentioned past events, shared memories—details you never told me. Did your mother ever hit you with a feather duster? Did you fall into a ditch? Did you sell your grandmother's chickens for a candied apple? Did you once place dog feces at your father's study door?"

Jacob whimpered, trembling. "H-How could she remember wrongly? None of that happened! She must be mistaken! That was another child!"

Carissa and Violet exchanged knowing glances. They knew the child was Jacob, confirming Darin's true identity as Jaina. Only an eyewitness could recall such embarrassing childhood details.

Overwhelmed, Jacob had never dreamed his sister was in the capital, living in Harmony Palace for so long. He'd always searched for her, yet deep down, believed it hopeless; the search was a comfort, a glimmer of hope for his family.

Tears welled in his eyes. His voice trembled. "How did she escape the traffickers? How did she end up in the troupe? Did she tell you anything?"

"She did."

Carissa, planning a detailed discussion, asked Lulu for refreshments. Once they were served, they closed the study door, and Violet began.

"She never remembered her true identity. Her last memory was being abandoned on a small hill in Stonebridge City during a rainstorm; the traffickers left her there because of a high fever. Lucas, the troupe leader, found her alive and took her in.

"Luckily, she survived. He named her Darin, meaning 'precious gift.' Because of that memory, she believed she was abandoned and harbored resentment, never considering a search for her family."

(+25 Bonus)

"Oh my god," Jacob whispered, his lips quivering, his eyes reflecting fear and pain. "She must have been terrified. She's always been timid, screaming when scared. She must have been beaten, hurt, traumatized."

He took a deep breath.

"The uncertainty has tormented us. We wondered about her suffering. I dreamt of her crying, calling for help. When Lord Ryan was rescued, I had nightmares, imagining her suffering similarly, fearing she wouldn't survive."

Carissa and Violet felt a pang of sorrow.

Violet sighed and continued. "Though found in Stonebridge County, Lucas took her to Wexford County after she recovered. She grew up there; the troupe performed there. But as she blossomed, local scoundrels noticed her. One even tried to abduct her, but her fellow performers and Lucas fought them off. Fearing retaliation, they fled to Stonebridge County overnight.

"Initially, things were alright, but they struggled. There were days of tireless performances for barely enough to buy a few buns. Eventually, Lucas, realizing his age, disbanded the troupe, urging everyone to find their own way."