Chapter 449

Victoria's lips curved into a satisfied smile as she watched Danielle take the bait. "Actually," she said smoothly, "I've been considering this very question during my drive over. But I wanted to ask you first before approaching Evelyn."

Danielle hesitated, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap. How should she respond?

"Are you the one I've been searching for?" Victoria pressed, her voice dripping with honeyed persuasion. She had laid out the entire story, dangling promises of wealth and status before Danielle. Anyone with half a brain would recognize the opportunity.

Victoria knew all too well the struggles Danielle faced as an orphan. The discrimination, the condescending looks—she was certain Danielle would grasp this lifeline without hesitation, just as she herself had done with Alexander all those years ago.

That decision had granted her a life of luxury.

After a tense pause, Danielle nodded, guilt flashing across her face. "Yes... it's me."

Triumph surged through Victoria. She clasped Danielle's hands, her eyes shimmering with feigned emotion. "Is it really you? You can't imagine how happy this makes me!"

She sighed dramatically. "It's been so many years since we last saw each other. We've both changed so much. If not for that piano piece, I might never have recognized you."

Danielle forced a weak smile. "People do look different when they grow up."

Victoria seized the moment. "Speaking of which... how does Evelyn know that piece?"

Danielle's palms grew clammy. "I—I taught her. We were in the same orphanage, after all. I... I treasured our friendship, so I shared it with her."

"Really?" Victoria's eyes gleamed with predatory interest. "So she was at the orphanage too? When exactly? Was she there during my time?"

Beads of sweat formed on Danielle's brow. Panicked, she blurted, "Maybe? I don't remember clearly. But Evelyn doesn't either. She fell ill as a child—lost all her memories from the orphanage."

Victoria's pulse quickened. "She truly remembers nothing?"

Now it made sense. Despite spending so much time with Julian and the Montgomery cousins, Evelyn's true identity remained hidden. She had amnesia.

Fate was truly on Victoria's side. She nearly laughed aloud. Evelyn had forgotten everything—including her real family.

Danielle ventured cautiously, "Ms. Sinclair, if you don't believe me, you could always ask Evelyn—"

"No need," Victoria interrupted smoothly, squeezing her hand. "Of course I trust you. You were my dearest childhood friend, after all."

The gesture reminded Victoria of how she used to hold Evelyn's tiny hand. Back then, Evelyn had been like a delicate doll—so trusting when Victoria declared them best friends.

And now, that same "friend" had gifted her this lavish life.

Relief flooded Victoria. As long as Evelyn's memories stayed buried, the Montgomerys would never learn the truth.

Yet Nathaniel's kindness toward Evelyn unsettled her. Was it simply familial affection between cousins?

The thought gnawed at her. Why couldn't Evelyn just vanish permanently?

It was ridiculous enough that she'd married Nathaniel during his coma three years ago—gambling on a man who might never wake.

Victoria had underestimated Evelyn's ambition. Why hadn't she seen through her sooner?

Suppressing her unease, she smiled at Danielle. "Give me your contact details. Consider us friends now, alright?"

She produced a business card. "If you ever need anything, just call my assistant. He'll take care of it."