The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 353

Chapter 353 Family Introductions

Riley glanced at Raymond, puzzled by his behavior.

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Raymond caught her look and, with his back turned to the adults, playfully stuck out his tongue and mouthed, “Totally on purpose.”

This was Elsie’s first time seeing Sebastian up close outside of formal events.

Even from a distance, she could sense the natural authority he carried–calm, composed, and undeniably commanding.

It was clear that whether it was his strikingly handsome features or that quiet, polished dignity, he stood several levels above any of the affluent heirs she’d met around Nexopolis.

Hiding a flicker of admiration, she allowed just a touch of youthful shyness to show and said softly, “Hello, Sebastian.”

Meanwhile, Zavier began introductions. “Riley, come here. This is your mother. And this is your sister, Elsie–the one I told you about.”

Riley followed his gesture, letting her gaze rest briefly on each of them. Her expression remained steady, betraying little. She gave a slight nod but didn’t immediately use any names. “Nice to meet you both. I’m Riley,” she said politely.

This was her first real encounter with Melissa.

Unlike the instinctive connection she felt with Raymond and Zavier, Riley couldn’t muster any sense of closeness toward this woman who was supposed to be her biological mother–not now, and maybe not anytime soon.

If anything, beneath Melissa’s overly eager demeanor, Riley felt a quiet resistance stirring.

But Melissa acted as though Riley’s polite, measured greeting had wounded her. Her eyes reddened instantly, her voice cracking. “My… my child…”

She opened her arms, hurried forward, and pulled Riley into a tight embrace.

Riley felt almost nothing in response to the sudden hug.

She stood rigid, allowing herself to be held. She didn’t return the embrace or make a sound.

Her gaze drifted over Melissa’s shoulder, resting blankly on the familiar–yet–unfamiliar furnishings of the living room. Her mind felt curiously empty.

Melissa soon noticed Riley’s distance.

She gradually loosened her hold. Her eyes, initially bright with excitement, were now glistening with unshed tears.

Looking up at Riley with a face full of remorse, she asked in a shaky voice, “Riley… are you… are you still upset with me?”

Riley’s clear eyes showed no trace of emotion.

Flatly, she echoed, “Upset about what?”

The question made Melissa’s expression falter for a second.

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5:16 pm P PP

Chapter 353 Family Introductions

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She drew a deep breath, as if finally releasing something long held back, and put on a look of pained regret. “It really is all my fault! That Fourth of July, I insisted on taking you to the street fair… I didn’t listen to your father about bringing extra security… and then… you wandered off. We searched everywhere but just couldn’t find you…”

So that was the Harper family’s official story of how Riley had gone missing.

Riley had been around four years old at the time.

In theory, a child that age might have held hazy memories or home and family.

But when Riley later turned up at the group home, she recalled nothing–no faces, no names, no sense of the past.

What really happened in between? And why were those memories completely gone?

That was part of what Riley had come back to Nexopolis to uncover.

Seeing the mood grow heavy, Zavier stepped in gently to lighten the moment.

He walked over to Riley and Sebastian with a warm smile. “Well, this is a happy occasion. No need to stand out here in the breeze. Let’s head inside and talk comfortably.”

Melissa collected herself quickly, too, turning to direct the household staff. “Please bring out some coffee and pastries. Riley and Sebastian must be tired from the trip. Let’s all sit and catch up properly.”

Sebastian offered Melissa a courteous nod in thanks.

Without hesitation, he moved to the sofa and took a seat beside Riley–elegant yet deliberate, as if quietly marking his place by her

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