The Unwanted Daughter: When Love Comes Too Late Chapter 313: A Strange Mask

"It's a black smiling mask."

Ronald's brow furrowed deeper. He had no idea where such a strange mask came from.

But he didn't miss how Tracy's face suddenly went pale.

He knew at once—the mask was meant for her.

Ronald shot a glance at the guard who'd brought the report. The guard caught the hint and turned to take the mask away.

"Wait." Tracy's voice trembled. "Bring it here ... let me see it."

She needed to confirm with her own eyes.

Deep down, she already knew the answer. She had prepared herself. But the moment she saw that familiar mask, her body shuddered violently. The mask slipped from her hand and clattered onto the floor.

It was like she had fallen into a nightmare. Her face turned white with terror, and she gasped for breath as if an invisible hand were squeezing her throat.

Ronald reacted quickly, catching her before she collapsed. With his foot, he kicked the mask away.

"CeeCee ... " His face was full of worry, but he didn't know what to say.

All he could do was repeat softly, "CeeCee, I'm here ... I'm right here."

Maybe his voice worked. Tracy slowly calmed down, she still looked deathly pale.

Ronald steadied her and said gently, "Let me take you upstairs to rest."

He gave the guard a look, signaling him to get rid of the mask immediately.

Tracy said nothing, letting Ronald help her upstairs and ease her onto the bed.

But just as he was about to leave, her hand shot out and grabbed him.

Her grip was weak, but urgent. Ronald could see she was in no state to be left alone.

Finally, she spoke. "You've been investigating Angelic Etiquette Academy, haven't you?"

Ronald had never hidden his actions from her, and she always knew what he was up to.

So he didn't deny it. He nodded, even speaking his mind without holding back. "I want to destroy the entire Angelic Etiquette Academy."

Tracy's fingers tightened on his hand. "Do you even know what you're up against?

"You'll die, Ronald. And not just die—you'll be torn apart, with nothing left of you."

Her whole body trembled as she spoke of the Academy again. The fear was instinctive, like it was part of her.

Ronald felt her fear and gently stroked the back of her hand. His smile was soft, almost childlike. "I know. But if I hadn't been lucky enough to meet you, I'd already be dead."

So even if he ended up destroyed by the Academy, even if nothing of him remained, he still felt it was worth it.

His smile was sweet, gentle, almost innocent. But Tracy could tell there was a serious determination behind it she'd never seen before.

She knew nothing she said could change his mind.

Their eyes locked.

Quiet hung in the air as she wrestled with her thoughts. At last, Tracy made up her mind.

"The mask in the package ... it belongs to Angelic Etiquette Academy."

Ronald's suspicions were confirmed. His worry grew heavier.

He knew Tracy carried something the Academy feared, something that kept them from acting rashly.

So why send this mask now? What did they want?

Seeing his doubt, Tracy bit her lip, then whispered, "It wasn't the Academy who sent it. It was ... Preston."

She'd felt something familiar the first time she met Preston, but couldn't figure out what it was.

Not until she saw that mask. Memories she had buried deep came rushing back, and she finally understood.

"Preston is one of Angelic Etiquette Academy's guests."

He was also the only "guest" she had ever been forced to serve during her two years inside.

Ronald's heart gave a sharp jolt.

He'd been investigating the Academy for months. He didn't know exactly what she meant by "guest," but his gut told him it was nothing good.

And he realized—Tracy wouldn't say this unless she had decided to reveal her deepest secret to him.

So he sat beside her, taking her hand, saying nothing, only listening.

He had promised her before. If she didn't want to talk, he wouldn't pry. But if she chose to speak, he would listen with everything he had.

Tracy braced herself and took a deep breath. Then she started slowly, "On the surface, Angelic Etiquette Academy claims to protect the reputations of the wealthy and discipline rebellious kids. But in reality, it's a hell. The kids sent there by their own families are treated like they're for sale ...

"Every year, the Academy takes in ten people with no background, no power, no one to protect them. People whose deaths wouldn't make a ripple. They are called stray dogs.

"Stray dogs are the lowest of the low. Everyone—teachers and students—is allowed to abuse them however they want. And the crueler the classmates are, the more rewards the teachers give."