Eloise snorted. "She's not an orphan!" Nathaniel looked confused, so she continued slowly, "Have you heard about the Lodge family of Brown City?"

"The Lodge family? You mean one of the biggest families in the country? The ones rumored to know an ancient form of kickboxing and to be incredibly secretive? That Lodge family?" Nathaniel asked, already knowing the answer. He knew of the four prominent families: the Richards, Tanner, Russell, and Lodge.

The Lodge family of Brown City was deeply involved in politics, a legacy spanning generations. They'd produced numerous successful politicians. Their family culture was strict, and their foundations were strong. The Tanner family (Ruby City) and the Russell family (Sapphine City) were business powerhouses, each dominating their respective sectors. The Richards controlled property development and construction, while the Russells were in entertainment. Despite operating in different industries, there were rumors of collaboration between them.

However, the most secretive of the four influential families was undoubtedly the Lodge family of Brown City. Some claimed every Lodge family member was highly skilled in combat. They rarely appeared in public, and when they did, they presented as gentle academics. No one knew the truth behind the rumors, but the Lodge family's vast business empire ensured no one in Brown City dared provoke them.

But why had Eloise mentioned them?

"Are you saying Lily is connected to the Lodge family?" Nathaniel asked cautiously. He couldn't believe it.

Eloise remained silent, her expression giving him the answer.

"Impossible!" Nathaniel exclaimed. "Damn it, you don't understand Lily. She's an ordinary girl, a talented perfumer. How could she be connected to the Lodge family? She's gentle and fragile. Besides, her last name is Christian, not Lodge. What connection could there possibly be?"

He refused to believe it. He'd attended university with Lily; they'd known each other for years. He'd never met or heard of her family. If she were connected to the Lodges, he would have known.

It must be a mistake, he thought.

Eloise laughed at his disbelief. "That doesn't mean anything. I'm from the Neville family, and you're from the Hall family. Are we unrelated?"

"That's different. You're my mother, and I—" He stopped, stunned. "Are you saying that…"

He realized that differing surnames didn't automatically mean a lack of relation.

He thought calmly, Does Lily know kickboxing? That day in the alley, she was agile and even threatened me with a knife. A shiver ran down his spine.

Could Lily be from the Lodge family? Is she related to them?!