The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 582

Chapter 582 An Awkward Encounter

From that point on, she stopped yearning for the warmth of a family-anything that intangible. Without even realizing it, she began hiding her own talents to avoid any cha being adopted.

She didn’t want to go through the whole cycle again: being chosen, being expected to fi and then being let go once more.

“Hey Riley, look over there,” Emily whispered, tugging gently at her sleeve and nodding the front. “Isn’t that the driver’s mother-the one who hit you? What’s she doing in a pla this?”

Riley followed Emily’s gaze and spotted Melissa standing in front of a brightly colored children’s art display.

Melissa was still dressed to impress-wearing a champagne-colored designer suit, makeu perfectly done, every hair in place. But the pride that used to define her had faded, replac by a thinly veiled loneliness.

Elsie wasn’t with her. She stood alone in the middle of the crowd.

Ever since word got out about Melissa and Zavier’s divorce spread through Nexopolis’ soci circles, many of the wealthy women and influencers there recognized her. They exchanged knowing looks but kept a polite distance.

No one came over to chat. No one struck up a conversation. Surrounded by those innocent, vibrant kids’ paintings, she looked completely out of place.

Just then, a little girl in a white dress-around five or six-darted through the crowd without looking and bumped right into Melissa’s legs.

Melissa stumbled slightly, her body swaying, and a flicker of irritation flashed across her face

The girl was startled by her cold expression. She shrank back, dropped her gaze, and mumbled in a soft, childish voice, “I’m sorry, ma’am…”

Melissa’s first instinct was to snap-the feel of cheap fabric brushing against her skin made he cringe.

But then she noticed several eyes watching her from the crowd. Common sense told her that losing her temper at a poor orphan here would only make tomorrow’s headlines worse.

She took a deep breath and forced a stiff smile, though her tone stayed hollow and cold. “It’s

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alright. Just watch where you’re going next time.”

Truth be told, Melissa had not wanted to come to a place like this at all.

Lately, Skyler had been pressuring her, saying her reputation had hit rock bottom after divorce and that she needed to show up at more charity events to rebuild her public im

She had hoped Elsie would join her-at least for moral support-but Elsie made excuse meeting a friend to discuss business and said she was too busy.

Melissa was seething inside, but she had no choice except to push through.

Just as Riley was watching Melissa, Melissa seemed to sense it and turned her head. Their met across the room.

Melissa’s body went rigid, and her manufactured smile froze in place.

Staring into Riley’s calm, composed eyes, it suddenly hit her.

Even though the orphanage had moved a few years back due to city rezoning and had eve changed its name…

This was the same place where she had left Riley on the doorstep all those years ago.

Melissa’s face went pale.

Her first urge was to run.

This place, paired with that face, felt like a nightmare tearing open an old wound that never really healed.

She didn’t want to stay another second.

But as she turned to leave, steps unsteady, she caught subtle glances from people nearby.

Other guests were watching the two of them with curious, gossipy eyes.

No-she couldn’t just leave.

Melissa forced herself to stay calm.

She was already under scrutiny. If she publicly walked away from her own daughter now, it would only make her look guilty and prove all the ugly rumors true.

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So she stopped, lifted her chin, and acted as if she hadn’t even noticed Riley. She walked right

Chapter 582 An Awkward Encounter

past her and took a seat not too far from the VIP section.

Riley had caught every bit of Melissa’s inner conflict but looked away without reacting.

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