Chapter 164

Amelia asked, “Mr. Smith, what is this letter?”

“Catherine left this behind,” William said, handing the letter to Amelia and gesturing for her to read it.

With trembling hands, Amelia picked up the letter and unfolded it. The bloodstained letter bore a single sentence: [Amy, your biological father is Porter.]

“What?” Amelia froze as if struck by lightning. The letter slipped from her trembling fingers and fluttered to the floor.

Daniel caught it with quick reflexes. As he read the contents, he froze, eyes wide in shock. “So, we share the same parents?”

Amelia blinked in disbelief. “How could this be?”

Amelia thought, reeling from the shock, ‘Mom had already been driven mad by Porter and Joanna. When she faked her death and left Lunova, she wasn’t even pregnant. So, how could Porter possibly be my biological father?’

“Let me see that too,” Landon said as he took the letter.

For a brief moment, surprise flashed across his face, but he quickly regained his composure.

‘So Porter is Amelia’s biological father,’ Landon thought. ‘No wonder he tried to stop her from claiming the inheritance. He must have wanted to keep it secret that, after Catherine faked her death, he fathered another daughter with her. And then he just stood by, watching Catherine, pregnant, marry Walter, watching his daughter call another man father. It’s an ultimate humiliation for Porter and the Zuckerberg family!’

“Amy, we’re full-blooded siblings…” Daniel choked out, his eyes welling up with tears.

He recalled his father’s words when passing on the position of the head of the family. His father said, “Daniel, as the head of the Zuckerberg family, you are destined to lose your individuality. From now on, you are the head of a family, not yourself. Are you ready for this?”

At that time, he hadn’t understood. Now, he finally did.

Daniel thought, ‘There must be more to our parents‘ marriage than meets the eye. Otherwise, how could Mom have gotten pregnant with Amy a year after faking her death?’

“How could this be?” Amelia couldn’t wrap her head around it.

Daniel frowned deeply. After a long moment, he said in a low voice, “Amy, I think our parents must have been in love…”

“If they loved each other, why set her aside?” Amelia suddenly grew agitated and shoved Daniel away.

Deep down, she hated Porter so much.

‘He clung to his old flame while already falling for someone new,’ Amelia thought. ‘Then, he stood by as his former lover married another man, was used, was hurt, and was finally poisoned to death. What kind of man is he? I’d rather go through life with my father unknown than ever admit Porter is my father.’

Daniel rubbed his temples, his face unusually pale. “Amy, I can’t judge what happened between our parents. But please believe me that I care deeply about you.”

Landon noticed something was off with Daniel and quickly pulled Amelia back. He said, “Daniel was only five at that time. What could he possibly have known?”

“Daniel, I’m sorry… I got too carried away.” Amelia took a deep breath, struggling to compose herself.

Daniel forced a smile. “I’m just as shocked. It’s alright…” he said.

“Can I keep the tiara and the letter for now?” Amelia bit her lower lip, hesitated, then added, “Daniel, please don’t tell the Zuckerberg family people what’s in the letter. I don’t want to acknowledge them as family.”

“Alright,” Daniel said, understanding her feelings.

He thought to himself, ‘We’ll take it slow. Given the family’s current state, it isn’t a suitable place for her to return now. Once I’ve removed Joanna, I’ll bring her home. But Maisie…’

Just thinking about his half-sister made Daniel’s headache worse.

Immediately after, Daniel suddenly slumped to the ground.

Amelia cried out, “Daniel!”

His assistant also exclaimed, “Mr. Zuckerberg!”

Two hours later, at the hospital.

The doctor walked out of the emergency room, his expression grim. “The patient has chronic poisoning. Did none of you know?”

“We had no idea…” Amelia replied.

Amelia and Landon looked at each other in shock.

Landon thought, ‘Daniel always seems so healthy! He never mentioned being poisoned. Could the Meyers family have done this recently because of “Velmira“?’

“Doctor, what’s the treatment?” Landon asked urgently.

The doctor said after a pause, “The patient is conscious now. For the time being, we can only provide basic supportive treatment here. I recommend transferring him to Norava for further treatment.”

“Okay,” Landon said.

After that, he immediately contacted Wesley and Jonas, instructing them to head to the hospital and stand by.

Amelia was beside herself with worry. “Poison? Poison again. Seriously, in this day and age, how can there still be all these mysterious poisons?”

Landon raised his eyebrows meaningfully. “The ancients left us a vast heritage of knowledge, most of which remains unknown to us.”

At that time, Daniel emerged from the emergency room. His face was still pale.

“Daniel, how are you feeling?” Amelia asked anxiously.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry.” Daniel waved his hand weakly, managing a faint smile. “It’s just an old injury acting up, nothing serious.”

Amelia and Landon asked in unison, “An old injury? How old exactly?”

Daniel thought for a moment. “It probably started when I was about four,” he said. “It’s been mostly fine since then, though. I didn’t expect it to act up again today.”

“Daniel, that’s not an injury. It’s poison!” Amelia stamped her foot angrily. “Who did this to you?”

The couple stared at Daniel with bated breath, anxiously awaiting his answer.

“Poison?” Daniel asked in shock, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Landon and Amelia exchanged a worried glance. ‘Daniel was unaware of his poisoning? Could it be connected to Catherine’s breakdown and Joanna’s rise to power?’ Landon wondered.

“The medical facilities in Pinecrest aren’t up to par. Let’s head back to Norava for a proper check-up,” Landon said.

Daniel smiled and waved his hand. “No need for a check-up. I’ll be fine after a bit of rest.”

“Daniel,” Amelia called out, still trying to persuade him.

“Aren’t you going to deal with Walter? I’ll stay in Pinecrest for a few days while the police collect evidence, then head back to Norava. If you and Landon have things to do, you can go back first,” Daniel said.

“Daniel…” Amelia’s voice wavered with concern.

Daniel said, “Seriously, I’m fine. There’s no need to make a fuss. Poison? That’s impossible.”

Daniel’s complexion gradually returned to normal. When they left the hospital, Daniel could walk briskly, looking perfectly fine again.

Amelia was about to insist, but Landon cut her off. “Since he seems fine, let’s all stay for a couple more days.”

“Alright,” Amelia agreed.

Daniel instructed his assistant to book a hotel suite. Glancing at his watch and realizing it was already 1 p.m. and they hadn’t eaten since morning, he suggested, “Why don’t we grab some lunch first?”

After lunch, Daniel suggested stopping by the place Catherine used to live for coffee.

After learning that Amelia was his full-blooded sister, Daniel couldn’t hide his joy and relief.

Amelia fretted over his failing health, picking at her food without appetite. The world around her had dulled to gray, and nothing held her interest anymore.

So much so that she didn’t even notice someone watching her from the shadows.