Chapter 496: Her Eyes Glinting with Madness

"So...you all blame me, don't you? Mom, Dad, and you!" Nora sneered, her eyes glinting with madness. "Just because I went out with Helen that day, and she disappeared while I came back alive—so it's all my fault?"

"Did you wish I'd died out there too?"

"Enough!" Arthur Hayes's face darkened, his gaze sharp as a blade. "One more word and you'll regret it."

"Hahaha...Twenty-eight years, and you're still dreaming?" Tears streamed down Nora's face as she laughed. "It's understandable for Grandpa and Grandma—Helen was their precious biological daughter. But you, Arthur Hayes?"

"We've been married for over twenty years. Our son is about to get married, yet your heart still belongs to her?" Her voice rose to a shriek. "How pathetic!"

Slap!

The sharp sound of the blow echoed through the living room.

Arthur Hayes's hand remained suspended in the air, his knuckles white.

His eyes were glacial. "Last warning. Watch your mouth."

Without another word, he turned and walked out, not even bothering to grab his coat.

"Arthur Hayes! You heartless bastard!" Nora screamed at his retreating figure.

Why?

Why does someone who vanished twenty-eight years ago still hold everyone's hearts?

Just because she was adopted, and Helen was their real daughter?!

Meanwhile, Connor followed his grandparents through the garden.

Hidden deep within the bamboo grove was a small gate.

"There's a door here?" Connor said in surprise. "I've been here so many times and never knew."

Walter chuckled warmly. "Your aunt used to sneak out through here as a child. She thought we didn't know."

At the mention, Marian's eyes softened with nostalgia.

The narrow alley remained almost unchanged—cobblestone path, weathered walls, and only a sliver of sky visible above.

"Everything else has changed, except this place," the old man mused.

"Dad and I bought the surrounding three streets," Connor said quietly. "No plans to develop them. We'll keep them just like this."

Marian's eyes glistened. "Your father...that's thoughtful of him."

"The food street ahead has changed quite a bit. Shall I take you for a stroll?"

The elderly couple agreed readily.

A long queue stretched in front of Bellwether Bakery.

"Is that Bellwether Bakery?" Marian squinted.

"Yes. It's an old establishment—now a viral sensation," Connor said with a smile. "Why don't you both rest at the teahouse? I'll join the line."

"Helen loved their sweet bean cakes..." the old woman murmured.

Just as Connor stepped into the queue, someone called his name.

"Connor?"

He looked up to see Clara waving at him from ahead. "It really is you! The great CEO waiting in line?"

"What are you doing here?" His lips curved unconsciously.

"Showing my parents around Ivy Garden." She gestured to the teahouse next door. "They're resting there. I'm here for sweet bean cakes."

Because Mom suddenly had a craving.