No Wife, No Life Chapter 262

The car wound its way along the twisting road, heading deeper into the island.

"Hey, Ms. Orsini, got any questions?" Orion asked, breaking the silence.

Harper didn't hesitate. "What's your deal with Alvina?"

Orion paused, then smiled. "I'm kinda like your brother."

Harper's eyes turned cold. She got what he meant. So Alvina hadn't ditched all her kids, just her and Dennis?

"Don't get it twisted," Orion continued. "Ms. Taylor and I aren't related by blood."

"Or maybe you've heard about that dark web scandal from years ago? That particular scandal brought down numerous officials and wealthy capitalists alike."

Harper's eyes flickered. "Yeah, I've heard of it."

"I met Ms. Taylor two years before that, when I was ten. I was put up for auction, and Ms. Taylor bought me."

The car pulled over, and a shadow of sadness crossed Orion's face. He looked out the window at the sky, avoiding Harper's gaze.

"You can probably guess what happens to kids in those situations. They're either used as toys or organ donors."

"Ms. Taylor dedicated an extensive period to destroying the dark web, liberating us—a collection of tormented children who had endured tremendous suffering."

"She kept us around because we reminded her of Mr. Robinson. But she never gave us motherly love, so you don't need to worry about that."

Growing up in such an environment, he understood what Harper cared about. Harper was Alvina's child, yet she had been abandoned. That was what mattered to her.

"I never thought she would do something like that," Harper admitted. She had always believed Alvina only cared about Declan, ignoring everyone and everything else.

"After I found out you were Ms. Taylor's daughter, I looked into your background. You and Ms. Taylor are very similar, in personality and other ways. If you had met ten-year-old me on the dark web, you wouldn't have stood by and done nothing."

He paused, then added, "Even though we're her children, we're not as close to her as you are."

Harper's eyes dimmed. "Dennis and I were the ones abandoned."

No matter what, Alvina had at least raised her for a few years. But what about Dennis? Alvina had left him entirely in her care. She had been just a child herself. How could Alvina be so irresponsible?

Orion was silent for a moment, his violet eyes filled with unspoken sorrow.

"I know Ms. Taylor made mistakes, but I hope you won't blame her. After dismantling the dark web, she had suicidal tendencies."

Harper was stunned. "What do you mean?"

Orion sighed. "To us, Ms. Taylor seemed invincible, like she could handle anything. But she saw herself as a failure."

"Because she felt she couldn't save Mr. Robinson."

"Ms. Taylor was very fragile then. She spent day and night researching, but nothing worked, and Mr. Robinson's condition kept deteriorating. She even wrote a will."

"Do you want to know what it said?"

"She divided her assets into five parts. The three of us she adopted got the smallest shares, just enough to get by. The rest was for you and Dennis."

"Her will stated that if you grew up and had your own lives, you shouldn't be disturbed. The assets would be given to you in another way. If you struggled, the wealth would go directly to you."

"Ms. Taylor wrote that she only failed two people in her life: you and Dennis."

He was right. Alvina had done right by many, but not by Harper and Dennis.

When her experiments failed, she had indeed considered suicide. Her failed suicide attempt was attributable to Orion's timely intervention and resuscitative efforts.

"You can't imagine the scene. The bathtub was filled with blood, and she was lying in it."

"After saving her, she refused to eat for a while. I had to keep her alive with glucose. It wasn't until she came up with new data and a new plan to save Mr. Robinson that she stopped trying to commit suicide."

"Ms. Orsini, I'm not telling you this to make you pity Ms. Taylor."

His expression was serious. "I just want you to understand her better. She's stubborn and proud, but she's the best."

"I know she owes you and Dennis. I don't expect you to forgive her, but I hope you'll treat her a bit better, considering all she's done."

"Think about it. If it were Caden, you'd probably do the same. Maybe then you can understand her a little."

Harper was silent for a moment, staring at him. After a few seconds, she nodded slightly in response.

Maybe Alvina had had a hard time all these years. In that situation, she might have only taken Declan because she couldn't care for them all. She feared she couldn't save Declan or might leave the world with him. That's why she left them behind.

While Harper remained deep in contemplation, Orion had already steered the vehicle into the confines of a magnificent castle.

Indeed, it was an imposingly grand fortress that exuded an air of majesty.

Harper was somewhat astonished, while Orion had already disembarked to graciously open the car door for her.

With just a single glance, she discerned a woman standing at the entrance. Adorned in a pristine white dress, the lady appeared exceptionally elegant and captivating in the golden hues of the sunset's lingering radiance.Her long, shiny hair cascaded over her shoulders. Her skin was radiant, her features delicate and defined, her eyes wise and gentle, and a faint smile graced her lips.

Upon closer observation, she scarcely resembled someone approaching the half-century mark; rather, she appeared more akin to an elder sister, merely a few years Harper's senior.

Seeing Harper, Alvina paused, feeling an inexplicable pang of emotion. Was this the bond of blood?

She stepped forward and grasped Harper's hand tightly. "I'm so glad you came to see me."

Harper felt a warmth spread from her hand, making her heart tremble.

She should hate Alvina, the woman standing before her.