The Return Of the Invincible Heiress
Chapter 202

Chapter 202: Chapter 202

Back in Rosemont City

Joy, busy at her computer, suddenly received a call from her mother.

"Joy, Mommy’s in Rosemont City. I’m at Carter’s Restaurant now. Hurry over and eat with me."

’Carter’s Restaurant?’ Joy’s eyelids twitched, but her voice remained cheerful.

"Mom, why didn’t you tell me earlier? I could’ve picked you up. Carter’s Restaurant only serves home-cooked dishes—I’m tired of eating those at school. Let’s go somewhere else."

"You’re tired of it, but I can’t stop craving it," Nellie said with a grin. "After years abroad, nothing beats hometown food. I’ve heard Carter’s is the best here. I even had someone reserve a private room for us. Hurry over—today’s their last day before Christmas. They’re closing for a few days starting tomorrow."

"Mom, I live too far from Carter’s," Joy coughed lightly. "And I’ve caught a cold. I shouldn’t go out. After you eat, ask the driver to—"

Before she could finish, Nellie interrupted with a surprised, "Huh?"

"I just saw a girl who looks exactly like you," Nellie said in shock.

Twenty minutes later, Joy arrived at Carter’s Restaurant. She was wearing an orange bowler hat and a white mask, wrapped up so tightly that no one could recognize her. Of course, it was normal to dress like this in the dead of winter.

She pushed open the door of the private room on the second floor and saw Nellie sitting by the window, eating pancakes while looking downstairs. It wasn’t the best choice to open the window on such a cold night, so Nellie had only opened it slightly.

Joy greeted her with a smile. "Mom, I’m here."

Nellie came back to her senses and waved at Joy. "Come, sit opposite me."

Joy sat down and scooped some soup into her bowl gracefully, occasionally coughing lightly. Nellie turned back to the window. "Look at that girl. I asked the waiters here, and they said she’s from the Carter family. She’s eighteen this year—the same age as you."

Joy took off her mask, picked up a spoon, and took two sips of chicken soup before casually glancing downstairs. "So it’s her. I know her. She’s a freshman majoring in aerospace at Rosemont University."

Nellie turned her head slightly, staring intently. "Has anyone ever said you two look alike?"

"Occasionally." Joy shrugged. "I’ve observed her closely. Our features do resemble each other, but my chin is sharper, and I have these narrow under-eye bags. If you look more carefully, you’ll notice more differences. I’d say we’re only about 60% alike." She didn’t seem bothered by it.

Nellie studied Joy’s face for a moment, then took out her phone and zoomed in on Avery downstairs. After examining her features, she nodded. "You two do look quite similar, but the differences become more obvious up close."

"Cough, cough—" Joy cleared her throat. "Earlier, you said there was a girl who looked exactly like me. I was shocked, but now that I’ve seen her, it’s not that striking."

After a pause, Nellie smiled. "The food here isn’t bad, right?"

Joy nodded. "It’s really good. No wonder their business is booming."

Nellie showed concern. "Eat more if it suits your taste. It’s not easy to find such authentic local food."

"You eat more too, Mom."

The mother and daughter ate in silence. Though they appeared peaceful, the atmosphere in the private room was chilly.

As Joy finished her meal, Nellie suddenly asked, "You’ve been in Rosemont City for almost half a year. Do you remember anything from your childhood?"

Joy shook her head. "No, nothing at all."

Nellie’s tense expression relaxed, and she sighed softly. "I don’t know if it’s good or bad that you don’t remember."

Joy smiled dismissively. "Kids are either in kindergarten or playing. Childhood isn’t that memorable. It doesn’t matter if I forget."

Nellie nodded. "It’s fine as long as you remember everything after age five."

"Don’t worry, Mom. I remember what I need to."

Nellie looked satisfied. "Of course. With your high IQ, you’re not like any average teenager."

As she spoke, her gaze kept drifting to Avery downstairs. Joy noticed but calmly took out her laptop. "Mom, I’m not feeling well, so I’ll revise my thesis while you eat."

First, she sent a few instructions via iMessage. Then, she inserted a USB drive, and her fingers flew across the keyboard. Anyone who saw her screen would be stunned—rows of complex code scrolled rapidly, dazzling to the untrained eye.

Nellie trusted her daughter completely and didn’t interfere. Her focus remained on Avery.

Meanwhile, Avery had noticed the lingering stares. While she was used to attention, the prolonged scrutiny made her uneasy. After finishing her meal, she slipped into a vacated private room upstairs, turned off the lights, and cracked the window to observe the opposite room.

To her surprise, she saw Joy and an elegant, noble-looking woman in her thirties. Who is she? Her mother? Avery discreetly snapped a photo.

By nine o’clock, most guests had left, and the restaurant was closing. Nellie settled the bill and had the leftovers packed. Seizing the chance, she asked the server more about Avery—her grades, IQ, and whether she had siblings—claiming she wanted Avery as a goddaughter.

The server smiled. "You have good taste. Miss Carter scored a perfect SAT—the first in history." She boasted about Avery’s achievements before adding, "But I doubt she’d agree to be a goddaughter."

Nellie sighed. "What a shame my son’s too young. Otherwise, I’d have him pursue her."

Amused, the server replied, "Many customers say the same."

Nellie chuckled. "When Miss Carter marries, it’ll be the talk of the city."

With that, she and Joy left. Back at Joy’s apartment, Nellie tossed and turned all night, while Joy worked tirelessly on her computer.

The next morning, Nellie scrolled through Avery’s photos over breakfast, growing increasingly uneasy. Finally, she set down her utensils, retreated to her room, and made a call.

"Riley, investigate Avery Carter. Find out if she has any sisters—and if so, their whereabouts and appearances."

Unbeknownst to her, the room was bugged. Joy heard everything and calmly made her own call.

"Follow Riley. Knock her out discreetly—I need to hypnotize her. Make sure she doesn’t suspect a thing."

Then, another call. "Make David fall sick or cause trouble. Get my mother back as soon as possible."

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