Chapter 29

Inside the conference room filled with dozens of people, Marc suddenly raised his hand.

The new employee giving the presentation froze mid-sentence, panic flashing across his face. He thought he had messed up the numbers on the slides and looked helplessly at the senior colleague sitting beside him.

The senior colleague gave his hand a gentle pat,signaling him to relax and refocus on Marc.

Marc glanced at his phone and saw it was his mother calling. Without hesitation, he answered. "Mom?"

"Where's your sister?" Her voice came sharp and urgent through the phone.

"Isn't Rissa still at the hospital?" He pushed his chair back and stood, already heading for the door.

His assistant reacted quickly, opening it for him as Marc continued, "Calm down. Since Rissa's back with the family now, she's not going anywhere."

They had been careless not to exchange numbers with her earlier, and he was already regretting that oversight.

"I get it," he continued. "The banquet's all set. Once this meeting's done, I'll pick her up myself so she can get ready. Don't stress about Rita. I've already arranged for someone to stay by her side and keep an eye on things."

Meanwhile, on the fifth floor of Harmony Hospital,Marissa pushed open the door to Rayden's room.Inside, Corrine was in the middle of giving Marc a scolding over the phone, questioning how he could possibly lose track of his sister again.

Marissa's timely entrance stopped her mother from demanding that Marc drop everything and start a full-on search for her.

While still on the call, he had already sent Marissa's photo to all of the domestic staff, telling them to take note of her appearance.

In the Curtis household, all domestic staff were required to have priority notifications activated for their employer's messages.

So the moment Marc's message came through,every bodyguard and servant instinctively pulled out their phones to check. After glancing at the photo, they all quickly committed Marissa's face to memory.

When she walked in through the door, the two bodyguards sitting by the wall didn't react right away,

but as she got eloser, one suddenly sprang to hls feet,blurting, "Miss Curtis!"

The other followed immediately. "Good afternoon, Miss Curtis."

Having gone through a similar situation at the Curtis estate just hours earlier, MMarissa seemed far more composed now, quietly taking in everything around her.

"Your parents are inside," one of the guards said politely.

Corrine had been resting earlier, and with Rayden still recovering, the room had been kept quiet, so the door was closed.One of the bodyguards gave a quick knock before calling, "Madam, Miss Curtis is here."

Greta opened the door, and the instant she saw Marissa, her eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Marissa's beauty was unmistakable, and her resemblance to Corrine and Rayden left no doubt about who she was.

"Marissa!" Corrine's face brightened the moment she saw her. She quickly spoke a few words into her phone before hanging up and motioning for the servant to help her out of bed and into her wheelchair.

Marissa stepped closer. "I just had to step out for a bit," she said casually.

Corrine nodded and patted the empty space next to her."Come here and sit with me."

Marissa walked over while Corrine remained on the bed.

Marc will be here after his meeting to take you tothe fitting," Corrine said with a pleased smile.

Opening an app on her phone, she scrolled through a list of jewelry sets and turned the screen toward Marissa. "See anything you like? You can try them on later with the dresses."

Displayed were several luxurious collections, from elegant vintage pieces to sleek, modern designs. Each one looked like it could easily cost a fortune.

Marissa gave them a brief look but didn't show much reaction. She was never one to fuss over jewelry or fancy things. Apart from her passion for modifying cars, she preferred life to be simple and comfortable.Even the small studs in her ears had been an impulsive decision, encouraged by a stylist when she and Bryson were shopping for wedding attire.

"They aIl look fine," she said evenly.

Corrine's heart tightened at her daughter's indifferent response.

It was clear the Fletchers had never given her designer

things-she didn't even recognize the luxury brands on the screen.

Marissa, unaware of the storm her indifference had stirred in her mother's mind, simply nodded.

Corrine managed a soft smile and said, "Alright then.When you try on the dresses later, let the stylist help you pair the jewelry. You'll look beautiful in whatever you wear."

Corrine swallowed her thoughts, unwilling to say anything that might trouble her daughter.

She had once thought Marissa's smooth skin meant the Fletchers had treated her well, but now she realized they had only cared for her basic needs. In every other way, they had failed her.

The thought filled Corrine with deep sadness. Her daughter had been living in the same city for twenty years, yet they hadn't found her. The pain in her heart grew heavier with every passing thought.

Just then, footsteps echoed in the hallway outside. As Theodore neared Rayden's room, the door to Rita's room opened.

"Barry, are you sure these doctors you brought in are real experts? Marc has invited Dr. Moore for Uncle Rayden's surgery. Even Maxton is no match for that doctor,"

Holley's voice rang out as she stepped out first,followed by Barry and several middle-aged men in pristine white coats.

Barry had gone to great lengths and spent a small fortune to assemble this team of orthopedic specialists. Hearing Holley's tactless words, his expression darkened, but he held back from scolding her in public. Turning to the doctors instead, he offered an apologetic smile. "Please don't mind her. My sister doesn't always think before she speaks."