Chapter 273: Who is my father?

Lita made her way to the Sanctum first to make her report in person. Trinity was in a surprisingly cheerful mood, humming a soft tune while flipping through a stack of papers. Considering all that was happening with the Soul maidens, Lita was shocked.

She didn’t dare to pry into what was pleasing the Divine Soul maiden, just gave her report like a robot. "Mother is in a terrible mood right now because of what happened to Elliot. She and the Grand elder exchanged words this morning before he and Maverick left for the airport."

Trinity laughed, "Oh, Sabrina! She is making my plans move even more smoothly. I wonder how I can thank her. Perhaps a visit to young Elliot in the hospital will be appreciated."

Lita’s lips practically twitched off her face. She was dying to ask what those plans actually were, but she knew better than to ask more than what Trinity was willing to reveal.

"Anything else?" Trinity asked.

Lita shook her head. The changes to the menu and deep investigation into the household accounts initiated by Alessa did not seem important enough to mention. As for the two sisters pointing guns at each other every once in a while, that was not of consequence for now. It was like drinking tea, as far as the rest of the family was concerned. It wasn’t like anyone would actually shoot.

Trinity dismissed her with one wave of her hand.

Lita bowed deeply and took her leave. On her way out, she visited Trinity’s private accountant and received her pay for spying.

From there, Lita went to visit her mother at the recovery home she had checked herself into. Her mother was not doing well these days and had admitted herself to get help for depression and suicidal thoughts. Even if Lita was aware, she had been too angry to visit.

She was still angry, but she wanted a few answers from her mother. As Lita strolled through the wide hallways hastily pulled to the side, bowing low.

"Greetings, Mrs. Kaelion," a passing woman whispered, practically folding herself in half.

Lita’s heart leaped with pure, unfiltered joy. Look at these people, she thought, holding her chin high. Just months ago, they wouldn’t even look at me. Now I’m a high-status wife, and they’re bowing like little quails. She strutted past them, feeling like a divine empress inspecting her territory.

Her good mood evaporated the exact second she stepped into an executive suite. The air hit her like a brick made of old cabbage and stale sweat. The heavy curtains were tightly drawn, plunging the room into miserable darkness.

"Where is my mother?" Lita demanded, instantly pinching her nose with two manicured fingers. "And what on earth is that stench?!"

One of the two caretakers standing near the bed flinched, nervously pointing toward the restroom. "She_ she is in there, Madam Kaelion."

Lita’s eyebrows shot into her hairline. "Are you two paid just to stand around like wooden statues? Look at this place! How could you let my mother rot in a dark hole?!"

"M-Madam," the second caretaker stammered, holding her hands up defensively. "The patient threatened to throw her medicine at us if we opened the drapes! She insists on keeping the lights off, and she hasn’t taken a single shower since she was admitted!"

Before Lita could tear into them further, the restroom door creaked open. Ursula shuffled out, pale, unkempt, and wrapped in a dingy robe.

"Lita! My sweet girl!" Ursula gasped, her eyes lighting up as she shuffled forward with open arms for a hug.

"Get back!" Lita shrieked, taking three quick steps backward and waving her hand in front of her face. "Stay away! You smell like a toad’s armpit!"

Ursula froze, her arms dropping awkwardly. Her eyes filled with pathetic tears. "How can you be so cruel to your own mother? I’m depressed, Lita! Depressed! Your father threw me out like old trash; he left me for another_"

"I don’t want to hear it," Lita snapped, glaring furiously. "Go shower. Right now. You look like a vengeful well ghost and you smell worse than one."

Ursula tried to go in for a hug, "Lita, please, my heart is broken_"

"Bathroom. Clothes. Soap. Go!" Lita took another step back, pointed a commanding finger toward the washroom.

Sensing no mercy, Ursula sniffled, grabbed a towel and a fresh set of hospital clothes and dragged her feet back into the bathroom.

Lita turned on the two trembling caretakers, her eyes narrowing. "Clean this room. Open the windows. Mop the floor. Change the sheets."

"But Madam," one of them squeaked, "we are medical attendants, not the cleaning staff_"

Lita just stared at them with a look that promised an extremely short lifespan if they argued further.

The two caretakers exchanged terrified glances and instantly grabbed mops and buckets. By the time the sound of running water stopped in the bathroom, the suite was spotless, sunlight was streaming through the balcony windows, and the air smelled faintly of mountain lilies. The caretakers were gone, having been dismissed by Lita.

Ursula emerged, looking human again with damp hair and clean clothes. But as she sat on the edge of the bed, she looked at Lita with hurt eyes.

"Why are you being mean to me?" Ursula whimpered softly. "I’m your mother_"

Lita scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Why? Oh, I don’t know, mother. Maybe because I know."

Ursula frowned, looking genuinely confused. "Know what?"

That innocent act was the absolute last straw. Anger flared in Lita’s chest like a dragon’s breath. "Stop playing dumb! I found out! Samuel is not my father!"

Ursula shuddered so violently her hand knocked a brass teacup off the bedside table. Her face turned as white as a sheet. She fidgeted wildly with the hem of her robe, her eyes darting toward the floor as she slowly backed away to sit in a chair near the window.

"H-How_" Ursula choked out, her voice barely a whisper. "How do you know that?"

"Samuel told me himself," Lita spat out, watching her mother like a hawk.

"Samuel knew?!" Ursula gasped, slamming her hand over her mouth. Fresh tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks in hot streams. "Is that why he divorced me? Because he found out?"

"I doubt it," Lita said, her voice dropping into a cold, mocking tone. "He told me he’s known since I was a little baby. He stayed with you for years anyway."

Ursula let out a ragged gasp, slumping back into the chair. "I’m sorry_ Lita, I’m so sorry."

"Keep your useless apologies!" Lita barked, stepping forward and cutting her off. "I don’t care about your tears, and I don’t care about your broken marriage! I want a name. Who is my real father?"