Chapter 249

The initial shock faded, and Donovan Kensington responded with unexpected composure. "In the Kensington family, only our grandfather and the older generation remember what our aunt looked like. I barely caught a glimpse of her as a child, and you've never seen her at all. There aren't even photos of her or her child in the house. Our grandfather may be unwell, his mind not what it used to be, but his memories of our aunt and cousin have always stayed sharp."

Seraphina Kensington’s unease deepened at his words. Her voice rose involuntarily as she demanded clarification. "What are you saying? Are you implying Olivia is our aunt’s child?"

Her emotions made her forget to lower her voice, and nearby guests overheard. At first, they had been puzzled by Alistair Kensington’s strange behavior, but now the pieces were falling into place.

"Olivia never seemed to have any family connections. She had no relatives in Crestwood, which is probably why the Blackwood family took her in. Her parents and paternal grandparents are gone, but I’ve never heard anything about her maternal grandparents. Honestly, she bears a resemblance to the Kensington children. Don’t you think?" Sebastian Montgomery remarked pointedly, catching Liam Blackwood’s subtle cue.

Liam’s intention was clear. Whether Olivia truly belonged to the Kensington lineage or not, they needed to fuel the rumors to make it believable. Besides, it was Alistair who had recognized her first. If she turned out not to be his granddaughter, the blame wouldn’t fall on her.

More importantly, the Kensingtons held a status far above the Whitmores and Blackwoods. With Alistair’s backing, no one would dare mistreat Olivia again.

Wrapped in Alistair’s embrace, Olivia felt an odd sense of familiarity. She could tell he was utterly convinced she was his granddaughter. Maybe it would be easier to just accept it.

But Olivia couldn’t bring herself to take someone else’s place. Gently, she patted Alistair’s back in comfort before pulling away and signing to him. Her gestures conveyed, "Sir, we’ve met before, and perhaps it’s fate. You think I look familiar, but you might be mistaken."

Olivia had grown up with her parents. Stories about her maternal grandfather’s family were absent from her childhood. All she knew was that they had disapproved of her mother’s marriage to her father, leading to unforgivable actions. Because of that, her parents left with her and never looked back.

Later, when her parents passed away, none of the remaining relatives urged her to reconnect with her maternal grandparents. They remained silent about the past, yet Olivia sensed her family’s inherent kindness. Had her grandparents’ actions not been so severe, her parents would never have cut ties completely.

With resolve hardening in her gaze, Olivia shook her head decisively. Her gestures made it clear—she only wanted to leave, even if it meant letting Seraphina’s misdeeds go unpunished. She trusted Alistair to be reasonable and hoped he would respect her wish.

Tears still blurred Alistair’s vision as he stared at her, undeterred.

"You are Vivienne’s daughter. I’m certain of it. You look just like she did at your age. How could I, your grandfather, be wrong? After all these years, Vivienne still refuses to come home. She must despise me and the Kensington name."

His voice trembled. "Child, my memory may fail me these days, but seeing you brings back a sense of familiarity I can’t ignore. I don’t even need a DNA test to know you’re a Kensington. Please, stay. I want to make amends. I lost Vivienne. I can’t bear the thought of losing you too."

His words hung heavy in the air, leaving Olivia torn between the past she knew and the family she never expected to find.