Her birthday was only two days apart from Rosalind’s.
But the Weston family never wanted to celebrate hers.
Year after year, the family threw an elaborate birthday party for Rosalind instead, complete with guests, candles, wishes, and cake.
Only at the very end would Rosalind put on a sweet smile and casually mention, “Oh, right.
It’s Elara’s birthday too.”
Then Elara would be made to wear Rosalind’s used tiara and stand before what was left of the already-cut cake to make a wish, as though her birthday were an afterthought.
Elara did not know why she had brought up such unpleasant memories with the man sitting across from her.
“Forget it,” she said lightly.
“It’s not worth dwelling on.”
Adrian was quiet for a moment.
“I heard the Weston family adopted you when you were young.
Your biological parents are supposed to live outside the city?”
Elara nodded.
“That’s what I was told.
They’re supposed to be in Fortune Hollow, a mountain village on the outskirts of the capital.
I plan to look for them when I get the chance.”
Adrian tapped his fingers lightly against the table, thoughtful.
“That’s quite a coincidence.”
Elara looked at him.
“What do you mean?”
Adrian shook his head.
The Ashford family’s daughter who had gone missing for years had recently been traced to Fortune Hollow too.
According to the informant, she was currently studying at medical university.
Every single clue lined up with Elara.
But Elara’s identity was obviously more complicated than just “an orphan.”
Until he had confirmation, Adrian decided it would be better to say nothing.
He had no intention of giving her false hope.
After the meal, Adrian ran into several former comrades from the army.
The moment they saw him, the whole group lit up with excitement.
“General!
You’re doing better now?”
“No way, we actually ran into you here!”
Some were older veterans, while others were still young soldiers, but all of them greeted Adrian with obvious admiration and respect.
They had served beside him in dangerous situations, and Adrian could hardly dismiss them and walk away immediately.
He turned back and glanced at Elara.
“I’ll have the driver take you back first.”
Only then did the group notice the young woman beside him, and several knowing looks passed between them.
Elara glanced at the table inside the private room and saw it covered with liquor bottles.
She frowned and reminded him, “Don’t drink a single drop.”
Adrian was silent for a beat.
Then, unexpectedly obedient, he nodded.
“Mm.”
Elara had said what she needed to say, so she turned and walked toward the elevator.
Behind her, the soldiers immediately crowded around Adrian with questions.
“She’s even checking whether you drink?
Is that your girlfriend?”
“General, you spent more than ten years at sea, and whenever you were back on land it was all missions and work.
This is the first time we’ve ever seen you out with a woman.”
“Wait, is she even an adult?”
“It seriously looks like she’s still in school…”
Their teasing continued until Adrian rubbed his brow and said firmly, “She’s the doctor treating me.
Watch what you say.
Don’t start rumors about her.”
The shift in Adrian’s tone ended the teasing immediately.
Even so, they were genuinely glad to see him recovering and hoped he would soon be able to return to active duty.
Elara took the elevator down to the main dining level, where the atmosphere was livelier and far less private.
“Hey, isn’t that your sister?”
At one of the tables, a racer nudged Callum on the arm.
“We’ve been competing together for years, and you finally remembered to invite Elara to the pre-race dinner?”
“I didn’t invite her.” Callum frowned and turned his head.
Sure enough, he caught sight of Elara’s back.
His eyes flashed with surprise.
“Why is she here?”
Just then, a middle-aged man in a suit stepped out of the elevator.
The moment he saw Elara, he greeted her politely.
“Thank you, Doctor.
You saved our general’s life.
Whenever you come here, your meal is on the house.”
As he spoke, he handed her the restaurant’s highest-tier VIP card.
Elara shook her head.
“There’s really no need.
You’re being too kind.”
Her refusal only made him more determined that she accept it.
He introduced himself as Rowan Stafford, a former soldier who had once served under Adrian.
During a maritime conflict, shrapnel had damaged the nerves in one leg and left him unable to walk normally.
Forced to retire, he later went into the restaurant business with his wife’s family.
“If this leg hadn’t been ruined, I could’ve served under General Whitmore for another two years.” Regret roughened Rowan’s voice.
“Please help him recover.
The men in his unit—and the country—still need him.”
His words touched Elara.
She accepted the card, then took one of her own from her bag and handed it to him.
“I’m staying in military housing for now, and I’ll be at the clinic there most evenings.
If you still want someone to look at your leg, come by and I’ll examine it.”
Rowan stared at her, suddenly hopeful.
“You mean…
there might still be a way to treat it?”
Elara didn’t oversell it.
She only said, “I’d need to examine it carefully before I can say for sure.
Right now I can’t make promises, but I can try my best.”
Rowan clasped Elara’s hand gratefully.
“I trust you, Doctor.
If you could help General Whitmore, I’m more than willing to let you take a look at me.”
But from where Callum was sitting, the sight of them exchanging cards and then shaking hands looked like something else entirely.
“Who’s that old guy?” the racer beside him asked.
“Since when did Elara start hanging around people like that?” Then he added with a warning tone, “The global relay race is coming up.
We can’t let her personal mess affect our sponsorship deals.”
Callum’s temper flared.
He dropped his napkin, pushed back his chair, and strode toward Elara.
Rowan Stafford had only just left.
Elara hadn’t even made it past the main doors when a voice full of rage snapped behind her.
“Elara!
Stop right there!”
Her hand, still carrying the cake box, got yanked hard.
Inside, the neat little cake slammed crookedly into the clear lid and tilted to one side.
Elara’s expression hardened.
She steadied herself, turned around, and said flatly, “What now?”
“What now?” Callum snapped.
“You really have to ask?
Look at what you’re doing.
How low are you planning to sink?”
As he spoke, he jabbed a finger straight at her shoulder, his tone sharp and ugly.
“You’ve only been away from the Weston family a few days and already you can’t survive on your own?
So now you’re out looking for some old creep to keep you?”
His voice carried across the lobby.
People at the nearby tables immediately looked over, sensing that an argument was unfolding.
Elara frowned and shoved his hand away.
“You’re seeing what you want to see.
I already left the Weston family.
What I do is none of your business.”
“The Weston family hasn’t officially made an announcement yet.
On paper, you’re still one of us,” Callum shot back, anger rising.
“I’m warning you, don’t drag the Weston family’s name through the mud.
Otherwise, forget about joining my team for the race.”
Elara nearly laughed at the absurdity of it.
The teammates beside Callum immediately backed him up.
“Exactly, Elara.
Our club’s still in the middle of attracting investors.
You’re supposed to race with us too.
If you act like this, it’ll affect sponsorship deals.
Just apologize to your brother already.
The Weston family won’t just ignore you.”
Callum lifted his chin, certain she would eventually back down and apologize.
He had already planned it all out.
If Elara was willing to soften and apologize, then he’d still push through the pressure and let her into the racing team.
He’d even go home and say a few good words for her.
And yet…