Aveline lowered her gaze slightly, staying silent.
She had intended to give Hilda some money, but seeing her current attitude, she suddenly lost interest.
Perhaps, when Hilda founded the orphanage, she genuinely cared for the children, and Aveline even remembered feeling some warmth there as a child. But over time, entangled interests corrupted everything, and nothing remained pure.
Aveline pulled out a chair and sat down directly.
Hilda glared at her with disapproval.
Zachary quickly interjected, "Madam Hilda, Aveline doesn't have a job. How could she have that much money?"
Hilda scoffed disdainfully. "You've been in Cloudflare City for so many years and still don't have a job? Aveline, do you regret not listening to me back then? If you had followed my advice, you'd be a wealthy lady by now!"
Zachary shot Aveline an embarrassed glance, swiftly changing the subject. "Madam Hilda, what about the other children? Are they all in school?"
Hilda responded coldly, glancing at him. "Have you found a job? We're over budget this month; hurry up and bring back some money."
Zachary grew even more uncomfortable.
"Madam Hilda," Aveline spoke up, "I came back this time to ask you something."
Hilda frowned. "What is it?"
Aveline asked calmly, "When I was young, was there anything that could prove my identity?"
Hilda replied curtly, "No, why are you asking?"
Aveline pursed her lips, looking at her calmly. "Think carefully, is there really nothing?"
Hilda snapped, "I said no, what's with that attitude? Are you accusing me of lying?"
Annoyed, Hilda slammed the table and stood up. "Since you've already left the orphanage, why did you come back? Seeing you just irritates me!"
With that, she stormed out of the room her unwelcoming attitude painfully clear.
Zachary awkwardly spoke, "Aveline, don't mind Madam Hilda. She's always been like this. She..."
He wanted to defend her, but after what had just happened, any defense seemed
weak and hollow.
"It's okay," Aveline replied with a slight smile.
She was used to it by now.
Zachary asked, "Are you planning to look for your biological parents?"
Aveline nodded. "Yes, I'm going to try. Maybe I wasn't abandoned after all."
Zachary nodded. "I'm also looking for my biological parents, but I haven't had any luck. Juliet was the luckiest in our orphanage; she found her biological parents, and they turned out to be quite wealthy."
Before he could continue, the door was abruptly flung open, and Hilda's cold voice interrupted, "What are you still doing here? There's no place for you here!"This text is property of NĂ´/velD/rama.Org.
Aveline stood up. "Those supplies are for the children, Madam Hilda. Please think about what I asked you, and if you remember anything, give me a call."
She wrote down her phone number and left.
Zachary said, "I'll walk her out."
Hilda watched them leave with a frosty expression. After they were gone, she closed the door and pulled out her phone, dialing a number.
"Hello? Madam Hilda."
Hilda's voice was tense. "Juliet, Aveline is back. She asked me if there was anything that could prove her identity. She's looking for her biological parents. What should I do now?"