When Leila thought that someone would explode at her comment and even kick her out, a small giggle broke the tension. Leila looked at the young boy, Mason, who had been quiet the entire time, chuckling.
His face did not seem as detached and disillusioned as it had earlier.
"Alright, alright. We are all family. We should keep the peace to avoid looking like a joke to outsiders." Charlotte intervened with a warning look towards Mason. "Amelia, can you take Leila to her bedroom?"
"Of course, Mom," Amelia answered politely before standing. "Come on, Leila."
Leila stood up and followed Amelia without saying anything more. She could feel the unfriendly gazes on her, but she did not mind them. As long as the family was unstable, she would have an easier time investigating.
Amelia decided to take the opportunity to make friends with Leila, even though she was starting to dislike her.
"How are you liking Lake City?" She asked. "It must feel completely different from Nirvana Village."
Leila nodded. "It is different, but I think I am quite adaptable."
Amelia felt uncomfortable with her arrogance. When she imagined Leila before she met her, she imagined that the village girl would be insecure and even self-deprecating. Instead, she was like a spoiled young miss.
Even as she walked through the Campbell mansion, she did not show any sign that she was impressed. Rather, it looked like Leila did not even place the beautiful house and décor in her eyes.
"I once visited Nirvana Village, but I could not get used to it," Amelia commented. "Have Grandpa and Grandma changed their home?"
Amelia wondered if her grandparents had upgraded and built a bigger and more impressive house. That would explain why Leila was acting like she was used to a lavish life. If that was the case, she could figure out a different approach to impress her.
"No. It is the same house we have lived in since I was a child." Leila replied.
"Oh," Amelia said. "You know it is strange. I visited the village about ten years ago when I was about eight or nine years old. I do not remember seeing you there at the time. You should have been ten years old, right?"
Leila felt a little admiration for Amelia. Her talent for probing and getting information while maintaining a feigned friendliness was superior to her mother. She could prove useful to her if she was used correctly.
"I was staying with a good neighbour grandmother at the time. The villagers used to watch me in turns to reduce the pressure on Grandma and Grandpa. Plus, I could help them with chores if it was something strenuous." Leila answered.
Amelia felt a little distaste when she heard about Leila's life in the village. She could not imagine always being around different old people or doing dirty chores. Her discomfort at Leila's attitude reduced further.
Perhaps, Leila was not impressed because she did not understand good things.
Amelia turned to look at Leila as they stopped at the door of the guest room intended for Leila. She put on her most compassionate look.
"I think Grandma and Grandpa should have sent you to live with us. You could attend school like a normal girl and make friends. I do not know why they did not do it. It was not like Mom and Dad would have minded one more person." Amelia said.
Leila saw an opportunity and decided to take it. Her already large eyes widened, and her plump lips opened into an 'O'.
"You do not really know?" She asked as if overly shocked.
Amelia was confused. "Know what?"
Leila shook her head and went around Amelia to open the bedroom door. "It does not matter. I think your mom and dad would have told you if they wanted you to know about it."
She entered the room and Amelia followed with the same confusion on her face. "Leila, we are going to be family from now on. We are like sisters. If there is something important, you can trust me."
Leila turned to look at her with struggle on her face before sighing. "I can tell you, but you have to promise that you will not tell anyone else that I told you."
Amelia smirked in her heart at how easy it was to manipulate Leila. "Of course! I promise."
"My grandparents told me that it was Auntie Charlotte and Uncle Isaiah who found me when I was a baby." Leila lowered her voice and said conspiratorially.
"Mom and Dad?" Amelia asked.
"Yeah! But they had just found out that they were going to have you, and they could not handle two babies at once. So, they decided to give me to Grandma and Grandpa. I thought it was something you all knew." Leila said.
Amelia was dumbfounded. She could not imagine the reason why her mother and father would not have shared something like that. It did not seem like it was that serious, so the secrecy was unwarranted.
"I wonder why they did not say something," Amelia said.
"Maybe, they did not want anyone to overthink why they did not adopt me or something like that," Leila responded casually before looking at the room. "Oh, this is a great room. I like it."
Amelia was distracted by the new information, but she still showed Leila where everything was.
"If you need something else, you can ask Auntie Rosemary. She is the housekeeper who opened the door to you." Amelia welcomed Leila again before she left her in the bedroom to get settled.
As soon as she left, Leila giggled with little wolfy canines showing. By telling Amelia this information, she was sure the Campbell family would have troubled waters. She would have an easier time fishing then.
Of course, this was just a convenient distraction.
Her real clue was the mysterious injection of funds that Charlotte and Isaiah got after leaving her in Nirvana Village. She had tried checking their bank accounts, but there were no red flags to indicate money from unknown sources.
She stood on the balcony overlooking the garden and took a deep breath of the floral air. The garden was beautiful, and the setting sun cast an ethereal glow on everything it touched.
Leila lifted her face to the light.
Lake City was not too bad.