Chapter 844 - 843

Chapter 844: Chapter 843

Keira glanced around cautiously and only opened the note after ensuring the curtains were still drawn.

She was genuinely impressed.

She had barely been here a day and still hadn’t gotten the full picture, yet someone had already managed to bribe the staff and send her a message?

Unfolding the note, she read the line written on it: “It’s too risky to go out. Wait six days.”

The meaning was clear—curfews were strictly enforced here, and going out at night was dangerous. Keira’s presence was far too sensitive, and there were likely eyes on her everywhere she went. God only knew how many people were stationed outside this little house she was staying in.

If it were her calling the shots, with the South family’s cutting-edge technology, she’d have drones and surveillance monitors everywhere.

Keira squashed the temptation to sneak out that night.

It was better to listen to Lewis’s advice and proceed cautiously.

With that thought, she lowered her gaze and glanced out the window again.

The frustration was building. She knew deep down that Jodie South might not even be that far away, and she had waited so long to see her. Yet, she couldn’t do anything except sit and wait.

Lying on the bed, Keira stared at the ceiling.

That night, she barely got any sleep.

The gnawing feeling of being out of control kept her tossing and turning.

What she’d initially thought was simply a family operation turned out to be far more complex. Despite having a population of only five million, this city was essentially functioning like a small country.

The next morning, Keira was up early.

Looking pale and drawn, she stepped outside her room and found Jessica sitting in her wheelchair, her expression unreadable as she stared at Keira’s door.

Jessica’s face cooled the moment Keira appeared, and she turned her gaze toward the doorway with a mocking smirk. “You didn’t sneak out last night?”

Stretching lazily, Keira yawned. “I thought about it, but for your sake, I decided it wasn’t worth the risk.”

Jessica’s eyes darkened.

Matthew, who had been standing nearby, approached them. “Good call. Sometimes patience pays off. Security’s extremely tight. I’ve heard there are infrared scanners out there, so no matter how clever you think you are, you wouldn’t have made it past the walls.”

Infrared?

Keira blinked, surprised, and glanced at Jessica.

By the original plan Jessica had given her, Keira should have snuck out under cover of darkness last night.

But if there were infrared surveillance, there was no way she would have gotten away with it!

Thank God she didn’t leave!

As this realization hit her, Keira turned back to Jessica.

Why hadn’t Jessica warned her about the infrared scanners?

Before she could voice the question, the sound of someone knocking on the door interrupted her thoughts.

The housekeeper opened the door, and a group of heavily armed men filed in.

At the front was a tall, broad-shouldered man dressed in a uniform, his face partially obscured by a mask and cap. His sharp eyes swept across the room before finally landing on Keira.

He spoke in a deep, commanding voice. “You stayed inside last night. Good job.”

Keira’s heart skipped a beat, and she immediately looked at Jessica.

Jessica’s expression twisted into a smug sneer, her cold demeanor from the day before resurfacing. The brief harmony they had shared was long gone.

“Not bad,” Jessica said dryly.

Keira’s stomach sank. “You were testing me last night?”

Jessica let out a humorless laugh. “What did you expect? We don’t have much of a bond, do we? Did you really think I’d ruin myself for you? Keera, you’re just as naive and soft as you were when you were a child.”

Keira’s face hardened.

Jessica smirked at her. “I will admit, though, I underestimated you. Twenty years out in the real world, and it seems you’ve grown a bit of a backbone. You’re finally brave enough to fight for something. That’s… progress, I suppose.”

Keira clenched her fists. “Why the test?”

“Why? Every heir who comes back has to be tested. Didn’t you know? If you had nothing to hide, you’d have stayed put, just like you did. But if you had tried to rescue Jodie South—well, that would’ve exposed you as not being Keera at all.”

Jessica’s tone turned cutting. “Keera’s selfish, timid, and cold. She’d never risk her neck for anyone else. If you’d stepped out of that door, it would’ve been proof you’re not her—but rather her twin sister, Keira Olsen!”

Keira froze, then turned toward the armed men who had entered. “Do they all know who I am?”

Jessica chuckled. “Of course. These men are the elite guard of the current heir—they’re the South family’s strongest military force. They know everything. Do you really think Jodie and your sister escaped the South family’s grasp all those years ago? No. It was just that the current leader chose to let it slide.”

Jessica’s smile vanished, replaced with a chilling expression. “But the moment you got involved with them, you upset the balance. So, yes, your mother and sister’s suffering? That’s on you.”

Keira shot back, “No, their suffering is because of the South family’s oppressive rules!”

Jessica snorted. “Still as good at shifting blame as you were as a kid. Every time you screwed up, it was always someone else’s fault.”

“Enough,” the captain of the guard interjected, stepping forward. His calm but commanding tone silenced the room. “The leader knows you’ve uncovered the truth about your identity. To ease your doubts, we’ve brought Jodie South here to see you. You’ll have your moment with her.”

Keira’s breath caught in her throat. She turned toward the door in disbelief.

Had she heard him correctly?

She had already resigned herself to not seeing her mother anytime soon. She had made peace with it.

But now, they were saying she could meet her?

Trying to suppress her racing emotions, Keira’s gaze fixed on the door.

And then, she saw her.

A figure stepped into view, one she would recognize anywhere. It was etched into her memory—the woman she had longed for since she was a child.

Jodie South, standing tall and graceful despite the circumstances, exuded a quiet strength that seemed untouched by everything around her.

Step by step, Jodie walked into Keira’s line of sight.