Return of The Alpha Heiress-Chapter 24: Clarissa - The Adopted Daughter

I froze.

Completely still.

Like an idiot.

Richard noticed something was wrong, but the look he gave me wasn’t judgmental.

I didn’t know someone could have eyes that calm—eyes that somehow made my heart race uncontrollably.

"I assumed the daughter adopted by Alpha Green must’ve lived in privilege even before joining the Green family," he said.

"I didn’t live with pri— Wait. Adopted daughter?"

My voice shot up an octave.

Richard nodded, still calm. With that face, there was no way he was joking.

"Where did you hear that?" I asked quickly.

"Darren, of course. During yesterday’s meeting."

"Darren?"

My eyes widened. My breaths shortened.

Sensing something was wrong, Richard continued explaining.

"You were adopted because you’re an omega who resembles Luna Eileen. And, you also won this year’s Rookie Ae-Engineer Competition. It’s not officially announced yet, but the information is already circulating among insiders."

His words shattered my world.

The happy family picture I’d been living in for the past week cracked into pieces.

Even Alpha Will’s warm embrace now felt ice cold.

"I’m adopted...?" I whispered.

"Clarissa!"

Darren appeared, panting. "I can explain everything."

My expression hardened.

I bit the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood.

I didn’t say anything. I refused to show kindness.

Darren glanced at Richard, clearly wanting him to leave so we could talk alone.

But Richard didn’t move.

He held Darren’s stare with a blank expression.

"I never knew I was adopted. At the academy, you told everyone I was your biological sister. Was all of that just an act?"

A bitter laugh escaped me. I didn’t care that Richard was there. I didn’t care if Darren or the Green family got in trouble.

Again, Darren looked at Richard—who still refused to go. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Eventually, Darren gave up. He ran a hand through his neatly styled hair, messing it up.

"I didn’t want it to be like this, Clarissa. Alpha insisted we wait until your inner wolf awakens before we can confirm anything."

So this was all because of Alpha.

I really had expected too much.

"Mother... she cried almost every night because she couldn’t bring you home..."

Luna Eileen cried... because of me?

Remembering her tearful face, my heart twisted painfully.

She was the one who wanted me home the most.

Darren continued, "She told me you finally agreed to move into the house, but she couldn’t pick you up unless Father approved first..."

"...recognizing you as an adopted daughter was the compromise Father agreed to. And even that took a lot of Mother’s tears."

Darren took my hand gently.

"Please, Clarissa. Don’t go. Don’t leave Mother, me, and our siblings. I’m sure Alpha will understand once he spends more time with you."

"Even without an inner wolf, I can feel you’re my real sister. I’m sure Father can feel it too."

My heart broke.

Shattered.

My chest tightened painfully.

But it would hurt even more to leave them.

Their sincerity was undeniable.

Adopted daughter or biological daughter—did it really matter?

Either way, everyone already treated me as part of the Green family.

"Alright—"

"What compensation will the Green family offer if your words turn out to be lies?"

Richard suddenly cut me off.

His voice was calm, but Darren’s brows knotted in irritation.

"Stay out of this, Richard!"

Richard ignored him and looked straight at me.

"You’re their daughter by blood, but they treat you like this. There’s a chance they might throw you away later. Don’t you want something to protect yourself?"

"Watch your mouth!" Darren barked.

Richard’s words were bold. No wonder Darren was furious.

But... Richard wasn’t wrong.

I didn’t like asking for things, but having insurance wasn’t a bad idea.

I turned to Darren silently.

"Fine," he nodded. "I’ll give Clarissa the Moonsoul Fragment."

My eyes widened.

My breath caught.

I whipped my head toward him, searching for any sign he was joking.

The Moonsoul Fragment wasn’t a normal item.

It was a fragment of the Moonsoul—also known as a divine tool—created by the Lycan King.

Only the Lycan King could create divine tools.

And since a new Lycan King hadn’t appeared in a thousand years, divine tools were not only rare—they were almost mythical.

"The Moonsoul Fragment is my way of proving my sincerity," Darren said softly. "To me, you are the sister I cherish most, Clarissa."

I could barely believe it.

A Moonsoul Fragment granted the wish of one person by taking the equivalent from the other.

If I wished for a house of my own, Darren would have to build me one.

If he couldn’t, then magically, his own house would become mine.

No one knew how it worked.

That mystery was exactly why divine tools were priceless—and why the Lycan King was so powerful.

"Instead of talking too much, just give her the fragment already," Richard muttered dryly.

Darren glared sharply at the eldest son of Alpha Black.

Richard returned the glare, unbothered.

Finally, Darren looked away.

He pulled out a bracelet from the pocket of his suit.

"I got this at an auction a few days ago. I planned to show it off to everyone after the party."

He smiled softly. "Now you can be the one to show it off later."

He held out a silver bracelet with a shimmering blue half-moon pendant.

I stared at it—the pendant looked almost identical to my birthmark.

So this was the divine antique...

I couldn’t stop my smile from forming.

Darren reached out and gently patted my head.

"My sister is adorable," he murmured.

My face instantly flushed.

I didn’t realize I’d dropped my guard. I was too open.

I carefully stored the bracelet.

When I looked at Darren again, he was glaring at Richard—and Richard glared back.

What now?

Noticing my gaze, Darren turned to me with a warm smile and took my hand.

"Let’s go back inside."

I let him lead me, but I glanced back over my shoulder.

My eyes met Richard’s.

Meeting him today was... unexpected.

From kissing him to watching him secure my compensation from Darren.

"...Thank you," I whispered.

...