Shadows of the Forgotten Heiress

Two years had passed.

Seraphina stepped out of the sleek black car, adjusting the cuffs of her fitted business suit. Her heels clicked against the stone pavement as she walked toward the grand entrance of Grantham Estate.

Confidence radiated from her— no longer the uncertain girl who had once been taken in, but a woman who had carved her own path.

Inside, in a lavishly furnished lounge, Lucy sat beside Reginald, massaging his legs with a deep frown.

"Why did you go trekking into the mountains again?" she scolded, her voice a mix of concern and frustration. "Look at you now! Stuck in a wheelchair for months just to recover!"

Reginald sighed, clearly trying to shift the topic. "Enough about me," he muttered before a knowing smirk played on his lips. "Tell me about Nicholas' latest failed blind date."

Lucy let out an exasperated sigh just as a voice rang through the hall.

"Grandpa!"

Reginald's eyes lit up instantly. His first instinct was to stand, but Lucy held him down with a firm hand. "Stay put! She'll come in!"

Seraphina rushed inside, her face beaming as she immediately hugged Lucy before turning to Reginald, wrapping her arms around him as well.

"I graduated early! Look!" she announced excitedly, pulling out a certificate and holding it up with pride.

Reginald adjusted his glasses, peering at the document carefully. His expression shifted from curiosity to sheer pride as he read the bold letters.

Seraphina had not only graduated early— she had topped her class.

A smile spread across his face as he looked up at her. "So, where do you want to work?"

Seraphina straightened her posture, eyes gleaming with certainty.

"Celestia Academy."

The warmth in Reginald's smile froze.

At that exact moment, Nicholas stepped into the room, only to stop dead in his tracks at her words. His voice was firm, leaving no room for discussion.

"No."

Both Seraphina and Reginald turned to face him.

"Why?" Seraphina asked, her brows furrowing.

Nicholas exhaled, crossing his arms. "It's one of the toughest institutions to get into. Even with your achievements, it won't be easy. I don't want you to be disappointed"

Seraphina's lips curled into a knowing smirk. Without a word, she pulled out her phone, tapped the screen a few times, and held it up for them to see.

The email was clear. The Celestia Academy Board had already extended an offer. Not just for any position— but for Principal.

Silence settled over the room.

Nicholas and Reginald exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them.

Reginald cleared his throat. "You must be exhausted from the long flight. Go and rest. Lucy, take her to her room."

Seraphina tilted her head slightly, sensing the sudden shift in mood, but said nothing. With a small nod, she followed Lucy out of the room.

As soon as they were gone, Reginald's expression darkened. He reached for his phone, dialing his assistant.

The line connected immediately. "Sir?"

"Who authorized Seraphina's recruitment into Celestia Academy?" Reginald's voice was sharp, laced with an unusual edge.

The assistant hesitated before replying, "Sir, you told us to approve her application to whichever position she applied for. She submitted her credentials for the academy, and after passing all the tests with outstanding results, the board unanimously agreed she was overqualified. So, they appointed her as Principal."

Reginald fell silent, gripping the phone tightly before finally hanging up without another word.

Nicholas exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, this just got complicated."

Reginald leaned back in his wheelchair, his mind racing.

Standing by the railing of the third-floor balcony, Seraphina gazed down at the grand halls of Grantham Estate. A deep sense of unease settled within her, one that had lingered for years but never fully surfaced.

There was something off— something about the way Reginald and Nicholas always reacted whenever her past was mentioned. As if they were deliberately keeping secrets from her. As if the truth was too dangerous to reveal.

And yet, despite the nagging suspicion, she had never once questioned their loyalty. Over the past two years, they had been her family, her unwavering support. The trust she had built with them always outweighed the unsettling feeling that they were hiding something.

But today, it happened again.

Why had they reacted so strongly when she mentioned Celestia Academy?

It was one of the most prestigious institutions in the country, an academy that only accepted the brightest minds— the geniuses who would one day shape the world. She didn't remember which school she had attended in the past, but she knew what she wanted now.

She wanted to stand at the helm of this academy, guiding the next generation of extraordinary minds.

Celestia Academy wasn't just famous— it was a phenomenon. Teachers and scholars from around the world sought opportunities to work there, and students dreamed of earning a place within its walls.

Yet, despite its prestige, there was something unusual about it. Unlike other elite institutions, Celestia Academy never charged tuition fees.

Not a single student paid to study there.

No matter how many international competitions students participated in, no matter the research projects or inventions they worked on— every expense was covered by the academy itself. The world marveled at it, but no one truly understood how it functioned.

And the greatest mystery of all? No one knew the identity of the person who had founded it.

Seraphina's fingers tightened around the railing.

Seraphina couldn't hear their hushed conversation. She had already retreated to her room, exhaustion from the long flight weighing her down. As she lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, a strange heaviness settled in her chest.

Why does it feel like something is slipping away from me?

Meanwhile, downstairs, a different storm brewed.

Nicholas leaned against the armrest of the couch, his voice low but firm. "Then we have no choice but to erase everything— her batch records, her academic files, her entire history at the academy. If nothing exists, there's nothing for her to remember."

Reginald exhaled, rubbing his temples. "Yes… this is the only way."

Without hesitation, he picked up his phone and dialed his assistant. The line clicked open almost instantly.

"Sir?"

Reginald's voice was calm but carried an unyielding authority. "Erase everything related to Seraphina Lancaster from Celestia Academy. Her photo, ID, records, research projects, achievements— wipe it all."

A heavy silence followed. Then, the assistant hesitated. "Sir… are you certain? This is highly irregular. If she finds out—"

Reginald's grip on the phone tightened. His tone dropped to a dangerous whisper. "You know her condition. If she remembers, she won't focus on her job. And if she refuses the position, tell me— who else will tame those uncontrollable geniuses? How many years has the academy struggled without a principal? One? Two? Four? Six years?"

The assistant remained silent, undoubtedly recalling the past years of failed appointments.

Reginald continued, his voice laced with finality. "You and I both know she's the only one who can handle that place. Make the call."

A long pause. Then, finally, the assistant sighed in resignation. "Understood, sir. I'll take care of it."

Reginald ended the call and let out a deep breath, his gaze dark with worry.

Nicholas crossed his arms. "Do you really think this will work? That the past will stay buried?"

Reginald didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked toward the grand staircase, where Seraphina had disappeared moments ago.

"I don't know," he admitted. "But for her sake… I hope it does."