Celine’s face was filled with sorrow and distress.

"As the only surviving bloodline of the Pierce family, I had to shoulder the responsibility. Rory's wife passed away suddenly from grief, leaving two children in the mansion. As their aunt, I took over the care of the children and temporarily stayed in this mansion."

I seized on the loophole in her words and asked, "Temporary?"

She glanced at me, not responding directly, and continued, "It was chaotic at that time."

Celine calmly recounted t