Amalia touched her face, and memories of her adoptive father flooded into her mind, almost as if they had happened yesterday. The more she thought about it, the clearer the memories became.
She finally remembered why her adoptive father had become wealthy from scratch. It all began with an antique from thousands of years ago. In her younger days, her adoptive father bought a wine jug in an antique market.
The seller claimed it was a porcelain piece from the Ancient Dynasty with an aura of immortality, and Amalia's adoptive father had believed it instantly.
Upon returning home, he cleaned the jug and even poured wine into it. Every member of the family, young and old, had a sip, believing it could bring them the Aura of ancient immortals.
However, when Amalia's mother had it authenticated by an expert, it turned out to be just an urinal from the Ancient Dynasty. Although it was genuine, the fact that it was used as urinal in the past make it was a rather an embarrassing revelation.
The only positive outcome was that the Vanquez family became immensely wealthy overnight because of this urinal.
Amalia couldn't find joy in this memories. She'd rather not remember the fact that she had once drunk from an ancient urinal. Looking behind the scenes, it was clear how unreliable her adoptive father's character was.
However, the real driving force behind the Vanquez family's achievements in the following decade was her adoptive mother, who clung to his adoptive father, ensuring that the family's success continued.
Amalia's adoptive mother had a commanding and strong personality, unwavering in her decisions, with a keen mind. In the business world, she was a formidable woman, but she didn't seek the spotlight like other powerful women. She silently supported her husband from behind, making her the true decision-maker in the Vanquez family.
Amalia's hand gently rested on her adoptive mother's back, and she smiled softly. She hadn't initially wanted to get involved in the world of her adoptive parents because she always be a solitary person. She feared that once she felt the warmth of family bonds, she wouldn't want to let go. Now, however, she had changed her mind.
This couple, whose hearts were tightly bound to their adopted daughter, didn't feel the slightest bit of unfamiliarity despite a year of separation. In their hearts, she was their own daughter, and there was no reason for estrangement.
If she had acted too distant, they might notice it, and it could lead to misunderstandings. In the end, they might suppress their emotions for her sake. So, she decided to let things flow naturally.
"Child, why has your face become so pale and smooth? What skincare products are you using?" Amalia's father suddenly pinched one of Amalia's cheeks. "Tell your dad so your mother can use it too. She has wrinkles now."
The warm atmosphere was disrupted by Amalia's father. Before Amalia could react, his mother gave his father a kick, and he let out a yelp.
"Even Iif you don't talk, no one will think you're mute!" Amalia's mother scolded him. Seeing his expression as if his leg was about to break, she couldn't stand it any longer. "What are you pretending for? I didn't actually step on you."
Amalia's father immediately stopped pretending. "Wife, I'm doing this for your own good. If you don't take care of yourself, people might call you a 'yellow faced woman.' I'm worried I might get into a fight with them, even if it's a woman who says it, the same thing would happend. "
Amalia's mother sighed, seeming helpless in the face of her husband childishness. But in reality, there was a slight smile on her lips. "Okay, enough joking. Let's get to the serious matters."
Once his mother became serious, her entire demeanor changed. Amalia's father didn't dare to act up anymore and stood by her side like a loyal dog.
"Amalia, did Arthur say anything to you? A year ago, he wouldn't let us contact you, and now he has suddenly brought us here. He's definitely not a kind-hearted person. Is he trying to use us to threaten you?"
Amalia once again looked at her mother, with newfound respect. Someone who could think so clearly was undoubtedly not an ordinary smart person.
She even suspected that the Vanquez family could reach greater heights, but Amalia's mother understood the dangers of excessive greed, like the snake that tried to swallow an elephant.
With the Vanquez family's resources, she knew they couldn't control more wealth, so she kept the family in check, content with their current status.
"He needs a favor from me, and he must have my approval. You are my weakness, and this is the only way he can use," Amalia explained.
"But this is the most effective way. Arthur isn't foolish. When he brought down the Vanquez family initially, Doesn't you fell into his trap?"
"Yes, The first trick works, and he doesn't need to think of a second one," Amalia's mother replied with a cold snort.
Amalia looked at her in astonishment.
Amalia's mother seemed to enjoy seeing her in this seemingly naive state, just like her father, she pinching her cheeks, and said: "Do you think I don't know? Your father and I have been in the business world for many years. If we can't see through this simple issue, we'd have no face to claim we've been around. Oh, your father, even more so, never said a word when I was there."
"Honey," Amalia's father looked at Amalia's mother with a hint of resentment.
Amalia chuckled. With parents like these two, who were full of life, it's no wonder the original owner had such a sunny and soft personality.
"Amalia, listen to Mom's advice. Arthur, that old fox, went through so much trouble, did so much, and if it's all for you to agree to something, you must not agree. It won't be anything good; it might even endanger your life. On our side, you don't have to worry. We will protect ourselves, and if needed, we can move to a place he can't find," Amalia's mother said, holding Amalia's arm.
Amalia shook her head, "Mom, this world isn't as simple as you think. With Arthur's status, even if you run to the ends of the earth, he can still find you."
Amalia's mother's face subtly changed. She had a vague sense that among the world's elite, there might be another invisible power. What she didn't realize was that her daughter was also already involved in it. "Is it supernatural?"
Amalia couldn't help but smile. Amalia's mother, who rarely showed confusion, was a rare sight. "No, I can't tell you yet. But I promise it won't be long."
"What's the condition he wants you to agree to?" Amalia's mother's keen instincts were far from ordinary.
Amalia's eyes involuntarily revealed her surprise, and she conveyed the answer to Amalia's mother.
Amalia's mother's face darkened as she fell into silence.
"Honey, what are you and our daughter talking about?" Amalia's father looked utterly bewildered, completely out of the loop.
"It's nothing, Dad. You and Mom should go back for now. Once I've sorted out things on my end, I'll come to pick you up, and I have a gift for you," Amalia said, today she was smiling more than she had in the past twenty plus years.
"Alright, alright. Dad will wait for you to come and pick us up, and for the gift," Amalia's father replied, pleased.
As Amalia left, Amalia's father immediately wore a worried expression. "Honey, our daughter has become quieter than before, but she's also more composed. Do you think that's a good thing or a bad thing?"
"There's nothing wrong with it. Her life is different now, and she can't just follow her heart as she used to. As parents, if we can't give her a comfortable life, we can at least try not to hold her back. She's grown up and has her own decision. We should trust her," Amalia's mother saw the unwavering determination in Amalia's eyes and that's why she didn't say more.
Amalia's father rested his chin on her shoulder. "I'm sad."
"What's there to be sad about?" Amalia's mother glanced at him.
"Our daughter has grown up, and she no longer needs us."
Amalia's mother fell silent; she felt the same.
"And, she actually left without telling me how to get such fair and smooth skin!"
Amalia's mother realized her worsening temper wasn't due to menopause; it was because someone's skin was getting itchier by the day, to the point where she couldn't control herself.
Amalia called Amalia's mother on the afternoon she left the hotel. Arthur's request could restrain the original owner and even Amalia's father and Amalia's mother, but it couldn't rein in Amalia, who always did anything as she pleased.
She was make a call to let them know that she had safely returned home.
On a brightly lit night in the bustling city, within a magnificent villa, a group of young people were hosting a party. Those invited were all the children of local dignitaries, including individuals like Alex and Grace with a background in business, who, in this gathering, were just like ordinary folks.
"Samuel, I heard you recently acquired several nice Artifacts. How about showing them to everyone?" Suddenly, Daniel, that lying on a lounge chair and sipping a red wine, spoke up.
Samuel immediately looked at Francisco, who slightly evaded his gaze, his expression darkening.
"What's wrong, are these Artifacts are so shameful?" Daniel and Samuel had never gotten along very well, and seeing that he didn't respond, Daniel became even more aggresive.
As everyone's attention focused on him, Samuel chuckled, "Why not, it's just a little gadget, nothing special. If you want to see, go ahead. Everyone has an Artifact, and you can show off your newly acquired one later."
With that, Samuel took out a basic level Artifact and handed it over.
However, when everyone saw it was a basic level Artifact, despite having an intermediate grade inscription, it didn't change the fact that it was just a basic level Artifact. Most people immediately lost interest.
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