She Stuns the World - Chapter 8: Chapter 8
You are reading She Stuns the World, Chapter 8: Chapter 8. Read more chapters of She Stuns the World.
"That's right," Cora confirmed. "But after all this time, the medical staff I tracked down couldn't remember if the other baby was a boy or a girl. If you want real answers, you'll have to ask your birth parents."
Athena acknowledged this with a thoughtful hum, emotions churning in her chest.
Cora added, "Both the Donovan and Kennedy twins were born on the same day. A fire broke out in the hospital early that morning. The staff only managed to save two babies, saying one belonged to the Donovans and the other to the Kennedys.
"But the truth is, both babies were from the Donovan family, and you were handed over to the Kennedys as their surviving daughter."
Athena frowned, suspicion creeping into her voice. "That sounds shady. There's a good chance there was arson and child theft involved."
"It's possible." Cora agreed over the phone. "The hospital director's wife had suffered a traumatic loss two months before the fire when she gave birth to twins who didn't make it. That loss broke her mentally.
"After the fire, the director paid off both the Donovan and Kennedy families before moving abroad with his wife. Interestingly, while they were overseas, they had twins again, who came back to the country last year. I've confirmed that those twins are actually Isaac and Regina Kennedy's biological children."
Athena's expression cleared as the pieces fell into place. "So, the director and his wife used the fire as cover to steal the Kennedys' twins and then passed me off as the surviving daughter."
Cora added, "I questioned the hospital director and his wife privately. He swore on his faith that he didn't start the fire. He claimed that in the chaos, he impulsively took the Kennedy twins and told his wife their babies hadn't died. Her mental state improved because of it, and she's fully recovered now."
After a pause, Cora asked, "Do you want more details about the Kennedy twins?"
Athena shook her head. "Do they have anything to do with me?"
"No, not directly," Cora answered.
"Then I don't care," Athena said firmly. "My priority is finding out who sent those letters and the real story behind the fire."
"Got it," Cora said. "I'll keep digging until we get to the bottom of this."
"Thanks," Athena said softly. "By the way, any updates on my mentor? Even the slightest clue would help."
Six years ago, Athena's mentor had handed her the reins of Vission Group, guiding her step by step.
In just two years, the mentor transferred control of the medical labs, physics research centers, and an astronomical observatory to her before disappearing from Kitmore City without a trace.
Despite her mentor's brilliance, Athena couldn't shake the worry that gnawed at her.
After a brief silence, Cora replied, "Nothing new yet, but I'm not giving up."
Athena sighed softly, murmured her thanks, and ended the call. She then pressed the brakes, letting her thoughts wander as she sat in her car.
Considering her birth parents had been financially stable back then and received a large payout, Athena couldn't help but wonder how they'd ended up in such poverty.
'Maybe I'll figure it out when I get to the Donovans',' she mused.
Shaking off the thoughts, Athena glanced out the window, realizing she was just five or six minutes from her destination. But the road ahead was blocked, causing a massive traffic jam, with police cars scattered across the scene.
Athena checked her watch—almost noon. At this rate, she might not make it in time.
After a moment's hesitation, Athena got out of the car and walked up to a nearby pedestrian bridge to get a better look at the situation. About 660 feet ahead, she could make out several large banners with bold letters and hear the crowd's loud chanting.
One banner screamed, "Regret buying an apartment in Bard Garden? You'll regret it for the rest of your life!"
Another boldly declared, "Three years overdue! Families left homeless, kids without schools!"
"Blood, sweat, and tears for mortgage payments... and still no home!"
"Please help those who poured their life savings into a house they can't even enter!"
Athena acknowledged this with a thoughtful hum, emotions churning in her chest.
Cora added, "Both the Donovan and Kennedy twins were born on the same day. A fire broke out in the hospital early that morning. The staff only managed to save two babies, saying one belonged to the Donovans and the other to the Kennedys.
"But the truth is, both babies were from the Donovan family, and you were handed over to the Kennedys as their surviving daughter."
Athena frowned, suspicion creeping into her voice. "That sounds shady. There's a good chance there was arson and child theft involved."
"It's possible." Cora agreed over the phone. "The hospital director's wife had suffered a traumatic loss two months before the fire when she gave birth to twins who didn't make it. That loss broke her mentally.
"After the fire, the director paid off both the Donovan and Kennedy families before moving abroad with his wife. Interestingly, while they were overseas, they had twins again, who came back to the country last year. I've confirmed that those twins are actually Isaac and Regina Kennedy's biological children."
Athena's expression cleared as the pieces fell into place. "So, the director and his wife used the fire as cover to steal the Kennedys' twins and then passed me off as the surviving daughter."
Cora added, "I questioned the hospital director and his wife privately. He swore on his faith that he didn't start the fire. He claimed that in the chaos, he impulsively took the Kennedy twins and told his wife their babies hadn't died. Her mental state improved because of it, and she's fully recovered now."
After a pause, Cora asked, "Do you want more details about the Kennedy twins?"
Athena shook her head. "Do they have anything to do with me?"
"No, not directly," Cora answered.
"Then I don't care," Athena said firmly. "My priority is finding out who sent those letters and the real story behind the fire."
"Got it," Cora said. "I'll keep digging until we get to the bottom of this."
"Thanks," Athena said softly. "By the way, any updates on my mentor? Even the slightest clue would help."
Six years ago, Athena's mentor had handed her the reins of Vission Group, guiding her step by step.
In just two years, the mentor transferred control of the medical labs, physics research centers, and an astronomical observatory to her before disappearing from Kitmore City without a trace.
Despite her mentor's brilliance, Athena couldn't shake the worry that gnawed at her.
After a brief silence, Cora replied, "Nothing new yet, but I'm not giving up."
Athena sighed softly, murmured her thanks, and ended the call. She then pressed the brakes, letting her thoughts wander as she sat in her car.
Considering her birth parents had been financially stable back then and received a large payout, Athena couldn't help but wonder how they'd ended up in such poverty.
'Maybe I'll figure it out when I get to the Donovans',' she mused.
Shaking off the thoughts, Athena glanced out the window, realizing she was just five or six minutes from her destination. But the road ahead was blocked, causing a massive traffic jam, with police cars scattered across the scene.
Athena checked her watch—almost noon. At this rate, she might not make it in time.
After a moment's hesitation, Athena got out of the car and walked up to a nearby pedestrian bridge to get a better look at the situation. About 660 feet ahead, she could make out several large banners with bold letters and hear the crowd's loud chanting.
One banner screamed, "Regret buying an apartment in Bard Garden? You'll regret it for the rest of your life!"
Another boldly declared, "Three years overdue! Families left homeless, kids without schools!"
"Blood, sweat, and tears for mortgage payments... and still no home!"
"Please help those who poured their life savings into a house they can't even enter!"
End of She Stuns the World Chapter 8. Continue reading Chapter 9 or return to She Stuns the World book page.