The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1774
Ellinor took a sip of her coffee. “Would you care to explain why you know my past, ma’am?”
“Well, actually, I wanted to introduce someone to you.”
Ellinor raised an eyebrow curiously. “Who?”
Bertha turned her head, intending to call over Marlinie from the other side to have an open-hearted chat, but to her surprise, the
seat was empty.
Bertha fell silent.
Where on earth was she?
Lea also seemed puzzled. “Mom, where’s Ms. Marlinie?”
Bertha looked around, but there was no sign of her friend.
Ellinor felt like they were acting quite peculiar. After clearing her throat, she put down her coffee. “Ma’am, who exactly are you
trying to introduce me to?”
Regaining her senses, Bertha looked embarrassed. “Um...the person I wanted to introduce to you is someone from your past,
but it seems she couldn’t make it today. Ellinor, let’s reschedule this. I’ll bring her to meet you next time.”
Someone from her past? Ellinor’s forehead slightly creased, wondering why this mother-daughter duo would randomly introduce
her to someone.
They were indeed a bit strange.
After a moment of silence, Ellinor asked again, “Aside from this, is there anything else you wanted to discuss with me, ma’am?”
Bertha sighed as her eyes filled with concern. “Ellinor, what are your plans for the future?”
Ellinor inquired. “What kind of plans are you referring to, ma’am?”
“About you and Marcus. Are you planning to take Marcus away from Sophia?”

Ellinor’s wary gaze did not falter. Upon hearing her question, her eyebrows furrowed even more. “Ma’am, if you’ve invited me
here to fish for information for your husband and stepdaughter, don’t bother. I’m not naive enough to disclose my plans to the
enemy.”
Bertha looked shocked and couldn’t find the words to respond. “I didn’t...”
She was truly concerned about Ellinor’s situation. Firstly, because Ellinor once saved her life, and secondly, because Ellinor was
the long-lost daughter of her best friend.
Knowing Thaddeus’ temper, Bertha feared that, in order to protect Sophia, he might harm Ellinor.
Lea defended her mother. “Ellinor, you’ve misunderstood! My mom’s not trying to trick you. We’re not on Sophia’s side. We both
think Sophia is in the wrong. Right now, my mom is even considering a divorce from my dad. We’re not on his side either.”
Ellinor looked at Lea, who seemed sincere and determined.
Adults may lie for their own purposes, but children were often not as good at hiding their lies.
Ellinor focused on Bertha. “Ma’am, are you considering a divorce from Thaddeus?”
Bertha nodded as a dull look crossed her eyes. “Yes, we are currently separated.”
Ellinor was genuinely curious. “Why? I heard you two were quite happy together.”
Bertha stared at the table, looking somewhat disheartened and helpless. “We were on good terms, but I can’t stand to be
complicit in his wrongdoings anymore. He’s been unconditionally indulging Sophia’s misbehavior. I can’t stop it, and I can’t stand
to watch it anymore.”