Captivated by the Ruler of the Underworld
Chapter 174 Lela's Mother IS Flora's Mother

In another room within the presidential suite, Flora lay on the bed, her gaze empty and doll-like, numb and devoid of emotion or any desire for life.

It wasn't until Lela walked in that Flora's eyes showed any sign of life.

Lela approached and sat by the bed. She took Flora's hand. "Flora."

Flora looked deep into Lela's eyes as if she was seeing through her, at someone she had kept locked away in her heart, someone she had been longing to find.

A trace of worry tinged the rims of Flora's eyes as she watched Lela.

Lela knew that her own troubles would only worry Flora more, so she reassured her, "Don't be afraid. Sylvester has captured them; they'll receive the most gruesome punishment this world has to offer."

It was then Flora felt at ease, sensing that the enigmatic Sylvester truly cherished her, treasuring her as one would with the finest treasure of the world.

A faint smile played on Flora's lips as she lay back, murmuring, "Lela, have I ever told you how much you remind me of someone?"

Flora refrained from shedding tears or voicing grievances about past injustices; she bypassed the need for explanations. Instead, she maintained a gentle demeanor, confiding in Lela as if sharing secrets in a close and tender conversation between sisters.

Lela held her hand tightly, brushing her cheek against the palm with affection.

Flora adored how sweet and docile Lela was.

"How wonderful it would be to have a sister like her," thought Flora in a moment of longing, reflecting on how much less lonely she would have felt all these years in the world.

After a brief pause, with her lips softly pursed, Flora finally said, "You know, Lela, you look a lot like my mother."

"I feel like I may never see her again," she lamented, her voice laced with resignation.

Flora was no fool; she knew her father was deceiving her. Yet, against the slimmest odds, she refused to let go of hope.

She had tried to search, but to no avail, without a single clue. Her influence was meager; after all, she was nothing but a rather insignificant D-list celebrity.

"It's as if I don't have any family left in this world."

Flora's father was far from what one might call a 'model dad.'

Upon hearing this, Lela's eyes reddened further. "No, you have me," she said earnestly.

Flora cracked a smile as she took Lela's words as a joke.

"Yes, I have you," she responded, her tone affectionate yet betraying a sense of helplessness, almost as if she was humoring her. It was as though she were beginning to say her goodbyes to the world.

Startled by the implication, Lela laid her head down and held onto Flora tightly, much like a child seeking comfort from a mother. "Flora, my mom used to say I had a beautiful older sister," Lela murmured, her voice muffled with emotion. "She missed her dearly."

Flora's mind felt hazy, and Lela's words seemed to float around without meaning. But when Lela mentioned her mother, Flora smiled again and gently stroked Lela's soft hair. "Your mom must be a very kind woman," she said, not fully grasping the significance of Lela's words.

Lela blinked up at her, a mixture of purity and tenderness on her face. "My mother is your mother, Flora."