It was harsh, but he told her the truth.

Elissa's face turned ashen.

It took a long time for her to process the news, her lips trembling as she said, "But she came to see me yesterday. She even made me lunch. How could she suddenly be gone?"

Then Elissa asked, "Raphael, were the people in the other car my father and his mistress?"

This time, not only did Raphael fall silent, but the police officers did too.

Elissa's parents were well-known celebrities, and a scandal like this would be disastrous.

After some consideration, one of the men said, "Mrs. Jones, perhaps you and Mr. Jones should handle this together. That woman had left behind a young boy. With no other relatives, he might end up in foster homes or even an orphanage if you don't take him in."

He paused, adding, "Although he won't be living on the street, it's nothing compared to a real home. Mrs. Jones, please do think about it. Of course, it's just advice."

Elissa instinctively rejected the idea.

If it wasn't for the boy, her mother might still be alive, and her family wouldn't be in this mess. But she also knew the true villain was her father, and it seemed her mother had chosen to perish with him.

She remained silent, and Raphael, understanding her turmoil, led the men outside to talk. When he returned, Elissa's face was streaked with tears. She asked if he could help her with her mother's funeral.

Raphael gently hugged her. In that moment, they were truly united in their grief, relying solely on each other.

The funeral was kept small given the circumstances of their deaths.

Yousef had been clever.

His will clearly stated that all his assets would go to his son, Brantley Palmer. As his spouse, Marcia had signed it too. Yousef must have somehow tricked Marcia into signing the document.

But Brantley was still a minor. Elissa was his only relative, making her his guardian and responsible for managing the estate until he came of age. After the will was read, Elissa sat alone in her parents' house for a long time.

The boy was about seven or eight, very good-looking with delicate skin and adorable curly hair.

He stood beside Raphael, timidly looking at Elissa. Everyone told him Elissa was his sister, but he could sense she didn't like him. In fact, she seemed to hate him.

Was it because of his mother? The thought of his mother saddened him.

He didn't even have a mother anymore.

Elissa sat quietly in the hall. She hated the boy with every bone in her body. She thought about how she could abuse her guardianship to donate all his assets before he came of age and leave him penniless.

She wanted to leave him where he was and let him live a miserable life all alone.

These thoughts wrapped around her like vines.

Raphael came over and gently pressed her shoulders, saying softly, “Let's keep him."