Chapter 237: A Family of My Own

“Wyatt holds too much power,” Carl said. “Ordinary dowries don’t mean anything to him. I’m planning to transfer the Northvale sponsorship to you. That way, you’ll have leverage—Wyatt won’t be able to push you around so easily.”

Carl had access to the most advanced medical equipment overseas, which made both Lu Boyu and Wyatt eager to win him over. And now, that enormous asset was being handed over to her—just like that.

Yunice didn’t dare accept.

“What’s there to be afraid of?” Carl said. “I don’t believe in marriage. I’m too old for kids, and I never planned to have any. You’re Pingwei’s only surviving child. I’m recognizing you as my goddaughter.”

Yunice’s nose stung. She couldn’t say a word. When someone’s been neglected for too long, warmth starts to feel dangerous. She feared getting burned. Feared it was just a dream. Feared she’d never be able to repay it.

But Carl shoved the transfer papers into her hands. “Even if your father were still alive, I’d still give you this gift.”

Yunice’s throat tightened. “Thank you, Carl. Or… should I stop calling you Mr. Carl?” She hesitated, then said, softly but sincerely, “…Dad.”

Blood ties had failed her. So why not go with her heart? Anyone who treated her well—she’d treat them like family.

Carl gave a satisfied hum. Then he added, “Now for the second piece of news. Your brother Oscar is back. He’s at the Saunders estate right now.” Carl looked up at her. “Do you want to see him?”

Yunice shook her head. “I don’t.” No matter what role Oscar had played in how the Saunders family had treated her, she wanted nothing more to do with any of them. Uncle Qing had already helped her establish a new identity. She was still Yunice—but no longer that Yunice.

Carl understood. “Then there’s no need to notify them about the wedding. I’ll attend in their…

The Saunders Residence

The moment Oscar returned, he was told that Yunice had died in a car accident. He didn’t believe it. He grabbed Owen by the collar. “That’s not funny! Do you understand what a death omen is?!”

Yunice was about to get married. It was supposed to be a joyous occasion—and they were saying she was dead?

Owen bowed his head, silent even under Oscar’s interrogation. Yunice really was gone. She wasn’t coming back.

Elsie stepped forward, sniffling. “Oscar… it’s true. She passed away. If you’d come back a week earlier, maybe… maybe you could’ve seen her one last time….”

Oscar’s devastated gaze swept past her, settling back on Owen. “You’re saying she’s dead? Then where’s her photo? Where’s her grave? You expect me to believe this with nothing but your word?”

Elsie sobbed harder. “We haven’t arranged a funeral yet. We didn’t know how to explain it to the Powell family… so we were waiting for you to come home and decide…”

Oscar ignored her. He turned to his mother. “Mom. You wouldn’t lie to me, right? Yunice is your daughter. You wouldn’t joke about something like this, would you?”

Lily blinked through teary eyes, avoiding his gaze. That one evasive look told Oscar everything. They weren’t joking.

His temper exploded. “Then tell me who hit her? Who killed her?!”

Owen went pale. His fingers clenched, lips trembling as he worked up the nerve to admit it had been his fault…

But Elsie cut in. “We don’t know who did it…”

“Yunice didn’t have any enemies. But if I had to name someone who might have wanted her gone, I’d say Wyatt…”

“Wyatt?” Oscar stared at her, stunned. Even Owen was caught off guard. Elsie knew the truth. She glanced at Owen and subtly shook her head. Don’t confess. If you do, Oscar will blame you.

Chapter 237: A Family of My Own

And even if Oscar believed Wyatt was the killer, Wyatt’s power would make the truth impossible to pursue.

Owen read the signal in her eyes. Guilt gnawed at him, but he still echoed her. “Elsie, don’t talk. Nonsense. We have no proof. Don’t drag us into something we can’t handle.”

The more he denied it, the more Oscar believed it. He sneered at Owen. “You’re so scared of consequences, you won’t even stand up for your own sister?”

“Owen…”

Oscar shoved him aside and stormed out. “You might be scared—but I’m not. I’ll ask him myself!”

Wyatt wasn’t someone you crossed lightly. Lily panicked, afraid something worse might happen. She quickly told Owen and Elsie to chase after him.

Send Gifts 30 – The Daughter in the Shadow