Her Hidden Identities

In hot July, the sun was scorching.

At 10 a.m. in a small town 200 kilometers away from Alexander City, a bunch of kids was gathering around a car parked at the entrance of an orphanage. They whispered with each other as they rarely saw such a luxury car.

In the Dean's Office, a posh woman was complaining tearfully.

"Ms. Coleman, I didn't mean to ditch Eliza Greer. I was desperate but now I have the condition to take her home! She listens to you. Could you help me persuade her?"

Ms. Coleman was an old lady in her sixties and had her grey hair combed into a little bun.

Although a smile was on her face, the corners of her mouth and eyes looked cold.

"Mrs. Levine, it's not that I wouldn't help, but Eliza is already 19 and a grown-up. She makes the call of her own life. Besides, according to you, you'll take her home and host her marriage. What kind of mother would do that as soon as she reunited with her daughter?"

Julia Fisher's face stiffened, but she soon collected herself. Today, she was well-prepared.

"Ms. Coleman, you might not know, but Eliza is going to marry a bigshot beyond average rich men in Alexander City. After the marriage, she won't have to worry about living again. This is also my compensation for her sufferings all these years.

You see, I put in much effort to seek the marriage. In Alexander City, young ladies from eminent families vie desperately with each other to marry him. Owing to my effort and luck, Eliza gets the chance."

"Mason Burns from Alexander City, I've heard of him. Rumor has it that he is ruthless, grumpy, and terminally ill. He doesn't have much time left. Are you sure you're seeking happiness for Eliza rather than pushing her into the fire?"

A flicker of guilt flashed across Julia's eyes, but she feigned composure, "Ms. Coleman, those are false rumors. I know him quite well. He is a nice man. We can't believe gossip."

As she tried to persuade the old lady, her patience was running out.

Meanwhile, in a small room at the side door of the office...

A girl with long hair, in T-shirt and denim shorts, was leaning against the door. Her features were stunning, but her eyes were icy and unapproachable.

It was Eliza. 19 years ago, Julia abandoned her at the entrance of the orphanage.

She hadn't shown the slightest concern all these years.

Elize heard every bit of their conversation, and her cold face became frosty.

All of a sudden, her phone vibrated in her pocket. It was a text message.

She took it out, dropped her eyes, and checked the message, anonymous yet familiar.

"Boss, the project leader was Mason. The others all died mysteriously, whereas his data in two years is blank. Presumably, he is the only person who knew what happened back then."

Mason?

Eliza's brows furrowed. She made a quick decision and texted back, "Got it, go on digging."

"Roger!"

She put away the phone, pushed the door open, and got into the office.

With her arrival, the heated argument inside stopped abruptly.

Julia looked over and instantly felt guilty upon meeting Eliza's penetrating cold eyes.

After so many years, when they met again, there was no sentiment as imagined and only indifference.

Ms. Coleman was worried that she would be upset by their conversation.

"Eliza, you heard us, right? Don't worry; I totally respect your opinion. No one can force you against your will!" Ms. Coleman was very protective of her.

Julia, however, got anxious and hurriedly explained.

"Eliza, I'm really for your good. Mason, he..."

"Say no more; I'll marry him."

Eliza's speech set off a bomb that shocked the two arguing women.

Julia, in particular, hadn't expected the job to be so easy. She had prepared all the means and benefits yet to apply.

In an instant, Ms. Coleman's dried eyes were tainted with concern.

"Eliza, don't be rash." She tugged at Eliza's clothes. How could she let her marry such a man?

"Melanie, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

She looked at Julia again with even colder eyes.

"When to marry him?" She asked indifferently as if her mother was just a stranger.

"T... tomorrow." Julia bit the bullet. Daunted by Eliza's icy gaze, she felt a shiver down her spine even in hot July.

Ms. Coleman frowned sullenly at Julia, her eyes filled with more criticism and hostility.

If it was not for the sake of the marriage, Julia might not have been back for her.

"Okay, but on two conditions."

"Go ahead." As long as Eliza agreed, she would grant any request.

"First, transfer your promised 20-million-yuan donation to the orphanage immediately; second, don't come and harass Melanie again," Eliza spoke in a businesslike tone as if this was a deal. Julia was embarrassed.

Though mean with her money, Julia had to grit her teeth and agree.

"Okay, I'll make the transfer right away."

An hour later, all the formalities were done.

"Eliza, go home with me. Stay in our house for the night and go to Burns's house tomorrow." Julia gave a gracious smile. "I'll stay in the hotel; pick me up tomorrow." Her tone was firm and non-negotiable.

"Well..." Julia was in a dilemma.

"I won't run away." Eliza saw through her scruple.

"Eliza, it's not what I mean. You know, we haven't seen each other for over a decade. I really want to have a nice talk with you and get to know your condition..."

"I'll pass; let's go."

Eliza didn't give her a chance.

When it was dusk, she said goodbye to the dean and others before riding Julia's car to Alexander City.

Julia found Eliza a hotel near their villa and then went home.

As soon as she entered the door, an adolescent girl grabbed her by the arm, "Mom, how is it? All set? That bumpkin agreed, right?"

"She is your sister, be polite when you see her in public." Julia preached to her daughter.

"I don't have that kind of hick sister. She's a disgrace!" The girl snorted disdainfully.

"Without her, you would be the one to marry Mason for the sake of exorcism!"

"I'll never marry that short life!"

Meanwhile, in the CEO's Office on the 36th floor of Burns Group's headquarters...

"Sir, the old lady just asked you to go home early through a call. It's your big day tomorrow." Special assistant, Michael Olson, ventured to report.

The pen in Mason's hand paused, his dashing eyebrows furrowed, and his eyes showed a hint of displeasure, "Which family this time?"

"Lady from the Levine Family. According to the old lady and the horoscope, you're a match. Blessed, she could bring you good luck."

Mason narrowed his inky eyes slightly when a flash of coldness crossed, "The Levine Family?"

"Yes, the Levine Family is a close partner of our company, but Mr. Levine..."

"Don't mind him; he can't make up much of a scene." Mason snorted.

"Do you still need the info about Miss Levine?"

"No, she's just a pawn." As soon as his voice died away, Mason coughed again. The vibrating chest made a distressing sound.

In a hurry, Michael handed him a cup of tea, "Sir, why don't you go home early? It may be good luck this time."

Michael pushed the glasses up the bridge of his nose. Although the old lady was not his boss's biological mother, she cared about him all these years, especially worrying about his marriage.

Mason sneered. Good luck?

Mason was at the Burns Family's helm, and his marriage was supposed to be a major event.

But for some unknown reason, they had been keeping a low profile this time, and few people knew about it. After all, rumors about Mason's marriage were frequently heard but yielded no results.

At 2 p.m. the next day and one hour before the auspicious time, the Burns Family's car came to pick up the bride.

No one asked why the bride stayed in a hotel rather than Levine's house. Maybe it was not important.

At the door, Julia was both excited and upset. She was afraid that the imposter might be debunked. In that case, the Burns family would definitely publish them.

Fortunately, the old lady was not supposed to remember Alexa Levine since they just met once! She comforted herself.

Half an hour later, Eliza put on the prepared red wedding dress, combed her hair into a bride's bun, took her small suitcase, got in the car, and left. Throughout the process, she didn't even take a glance at Julia, thus leaving her no chance to instruct.

At Burns's house, Norah Burns, the old lady, also dressed up festively. The housekeeper and nanny had decorated the villa inside and out to welcome the new lady.

"Jack, call Mason and ask him when he'll come back. The bride is arriving soon!" Mrs. Burns was upset. On the wedding day, her son somehow went out early and hadn't come back. She was worried that he might miss the auspicious time.

"Yes, madam."

A girl supported and comforted her in a gentle voice, "Norah, don't worry, I'm sure Mason will be back soon. I wonder how the bride is. I heard that she's only 18. Would she deem Mason old?"

"Humph, she's blessed to marry into the Burns Family! She should be grateful." Mrs. Burns was known as a tough lady at a glance.

As soon as her voice died away, Reese returned from her task and led in the bride.

At the sight of the incomer, the old lady pulled a long face.

"Who are you? Are you the daughter of the Levine Family? Why haven't I met you before?" She questioned sternly.

The wedding partner was selected to expel the evil. No mistakes were allowed!

Eliza remained indifferent to the old lady's wrath as if this had nothing to do with her.

"Julia, send me here for marriage." She slightly opened her red lips and replied coldly.

"You... bastard, how dare she fools me! Bring the Levine Family members here!"

As soon as her voice died away, Mason's stern voice came over, "That won't be necessary."

The eyes of the old lady lit up, "Mason, finally you're back! The Levine Family went as far as sending over an imposter! I will not let them go easily!"

With his eagle's eyes, Mason darted a glance at Eliza, paused, and soon looked away.

"Don't bother; it makes no difference."

"How could it be the same? Well..."

"Enough, just her, save the trouble." Mason's eyes looked cold as he spoke in a non-negotiable tone.

Norah felt guilty for her action and advice. Facing such a gaze, she was a bit worried that her son would blame her for her self-assertion.

Now, his speech relieved her.

Since she couldn't preach to Mason, she diverted it to the girl.

"After marrying Mason, you'd better behave. Take good care of him and share his worries. Better not do anything stupid, or I will..."

"Enough for your speech?" Eliza lifted her eyelids and looked at the old lady coldly.

Her voice was icy, but her face was stunning. Her eyes looked seductive but too cold.

"I'm your mother-in-law; know your distance! How dare you..." Norah grew angrier.

"Enough for the nonsense, so noisy." Mason cut her short indifferently.

Norah's face stiffened. Mason's icy eyes deterred her from going on with her speech, and she could only glare at Eliza resentfully.

Mason laid his eyes on Eliza again.

He slightly opened his thin lips, "You, follow me upstairs."