Chapter 416

Vivian Bennett knelt slowly before the gravestone.

Sophia White's photograph was affixed to the tombstone.

Her mother's bright, clear eyes gazed silently at her from the picture.

Vivian gently placed the camellias she had brought on the ground.

She bowed her head solemnly and kowtowed once to the grave.

Liam Sullivan stood beside her, then knelt and kowtowed as well.

The mountain wind never ceased, tousling Vivian's long hair.

Not a single tear fell from her eyes throughout.

How could she cry?

Her tears had long since run dry.

The path down the mountain was rugged and uneven.

Vivian wore high heels, forcing her to stop and rest every few steps.

Behind her lay the terraced cemetery, while rolling green mountains stretched before her.

She cupped her chin with one hand while smoothing her wind-blown hair with the other.

After a brief rest, she rose and continued her descent.

Liam remained close behind her, never leaving her side.

The next day, Vivian arrived at White Group as the heir.

She never expected to encounter a familiar figure there.

Julian Klein stood tall and straight in a black suit.

His steps were steady and swift, exuding a businessman's efficiency and composure.

Vivian's heart tightened, her brow furrowing. "Mr. Klein, what are you doing here?"

Julian hadn't anticipated meeting her at White Group and froze on the spot.

The familiar face he remembered but could never find suddenly overlapped with Vivian's appearance.

His heart began pounding wildly.

What was happening?

How could such a coincidence exist?

He struggled to maintain composure, but his voice betrayed his shock. "Miss Bennett, why are you at White Group?"

Vivian smiled faintly. "I'm here to handle my father's company affairs."

This answer struck Julian like a thunderbolt.

He stood rigidly in place, unable to calm himself for a long time.

Noticing his unusual reaction, Vivian bid a soft farewell. "Mr. Klein, excuse me for now."

She turned and entered the elevator.

Julian stood alone before White Group's main entrance.

Warm sunlight bathed his figure.

Beneath his calm exterior, turbulent waves already raged within.

He quickly pulled out his phone and made a call, unable to conceal his excitement. "Father, have you made a mistake? William White's daughter looks exactly like the woman in the painting from your study!"

Lawrence Melville gripped his phone tightly on the other end.

He murmured in disbelief, "Impossible... This is absolutely impossible..."

Julian asked in a low voice, "If this is true, should we continue with White Group's acquisition?"

Lawrence slumped into his chair, his aged face filled with confusion.

He muttered to himself, "She was so badly injured back then... How could she have a child? This can't be real..."

After hanging up, Julian immediately contacted his assistant. "Reinvestigate all of William White's information, especially regarding Vivian Bennett. The more detailed, the better."

Three days later, Vivian left City A and returned to Seattle.

Though William White's will had left White Group to her.

She didn't take personal control of its management.

Instead, she hired professional managers to operate it on her behalf.

City A held too many painful memories for her.

She never wanted to return there.

On the flight, Vivian leaned against Liam's shoulder and fell into a deep sleep.

In her dreams, she returned to her childhood.

Those were among the few truly happy years of her life.

Both parents remained by her side, showering her with endless love and care.