Chapter 96: Acknowledging Each Other

"It's not that bad," Maggie said with a smile, "though it was heartbreaking to discover everything was fake." She felt happy, too. In her previous life, she'd never had the chance to speak with Ericko. After helping the Camerons eliminate the Adams, her parents had died, one after the other. Ericko had treated her as an enemy, relentlessly seeking revenge. If not for Nathael's protection, she likely would have died many times. Later, perhaps after learning her background, Ericko ceased his revenge, observing her only from a distance on a few occasions. She had long since lost interest in the Adams, unaware of Ericko's fate.

Gazing at him, Maggie suddenly felt like having a drink. "Do you like pizza?"

Ericko was taken aback. He hadn't expected such a casual question. Perhaps due to their familial connection, he immediately understood. "Let's go, my treat."

He took her to an unfamiliar pizza place, leading her to a secluded spot in a winding alley. Before entering, Maggie smelled the enticing aroma of baking pizza crust.

"It's very authentic," Ericko explained. "It's popular, but not overly noisy. Reservations are usually necessary, but I have a good relationship with the owner, so we can eat here without hassle."

They were soon escorted upstairs. The second-floor tables were well-spaced. The loft-like space was semi-open, offering a beautiful view. Despite the crowd, it was quiet due to the generous spacing. The vintage interior design included intricate details and a blend of vintage and modern ornaments, clearly designed to appeal to a broad audience.

Maggie's hunger intensified with the scent of freshly baked pizza. "The craft beer here is exceptional," Ericko said, handing her the menu.

They talked and ate for over an hour. The pizza place was far superior to a fine-dining restaurant; they could talk freely and get to know each other. Maggie ate heartily and felt content. Her delicate face flushed rosy as she eagerly reached for another craft beer, recommended by Ericko. In his eyes, she looked like a contented cat. Ericko, sleeves rolled up and collar loosened, ate heartily as well, frequently serving Maggie food.

Maggie smiled at his attentiveness. "It's nice to have a brother." She could never feel the same way about the Camerons, knowing their deceitfulness.

"I never stopped searching for you all these years," Ericko said softly, fearing misunderstanding.

"I believe you," Maggie chuckled, feeling slightly tipsy.

Throughout the meal, they engaged in heartfelt conversation. Ericko revealed that she had been kidnapped because the kidnappers had actually targeted him. It was a twist of fate that he hadn't left the house that day, leading to her abduction and altering their destinies.

Maggie inquired about her parents' health; Ericko reassured her they were stable. Though her mother had never been robust, she'd taken care of herself for years and would be fine as long as she avoided significant shocks. He then mentioned Vanessa.

When Vanessa appeared at the Adams' banquet under an assumed name, Madam Adam immediately believed she was her lost granddaughter and treated her exceptionally well, keeping her close. Despite their lack of blood relation, Vanessa was perceptive and, over time, received relatively kind treatment from their parents, primarily for Madam Adam's sake.

"Your grandmother loved you most when you were young," Ericko explained. "She took you out that day. Over the years, she's blamed herself for not protecting you and letting you fall into the wrong hands. But now, with age and a more erratic temperament, coupled with mental decline, the family couldn't bear to upset her. They used Vanessa to ease her burden."

Maggie understood. No wonder Vanessa was still accepted by the Adams even after her true identity was revealed—it was all for Madam Adam. She thought of the elegant old lady she and Mia had encountered at the mall; she never imagined it was her grandmother.

The old lady had championed Vanessa to compensate for years of neglect towards Maggie. "Grandma is often confused and rarely attends banquets these days," Maggie said. "Her condition has improved greatly by pretending Vanessa is you. The family couldn't tell her the truth; they feared she couldn't handle it." Maggie expressed understanding and held no resentment toward Madam Adam. Even then, Madam Adam had been fair and honest, admitting her mistake.

They then discussed the Camerons. Ericko remained quiet when their names were mentioned. He'd initially thought they treated Maggie well, believing her fortunate. But the Adams and Camerons had long been at odds, and he knew the Camerons' true nature—a carefully constructed facade.

"When are you coming home, Maggie?" Ericko asked, his voice deep.

Maggie paused. "I want to stay with the Camerons," she said slowly. She didn't know how to explain that in this lifetime, the Camerons hadn't yet inflicted significant harm. She wouldn't rest until she destroyed them.

Ericko was silent for a few seconds. "I know you hate them," he finally said. "They knew your background but hid it for years, even pitting you against the Adams. If you hadn't seen through them, I fear neither you nor the Adams would have had a good ending."