the two-faced Adopted Girl Who Melted CEO's Ice-Cold Heart
Chapter 36 The Leclair Family Head Returns

Chapter 36: Chapter 36 The Leclair Family Head Returns

After the character wrapped up, Tristan left a private number for Delphine. Delphine quietly departed from the production crew. After her departure, Charles Taylor called her with a hint of regret, lamenting that he hadn’t managed to organize a small gathering for her. How could she leave so abruptly?

Delphine politely declined Charles Taylor’s goodwill. If not for her modest academic credentials and the uncertainty of her stay in the South Seas, she wouldn’t have taken up acting just to make money. Born into poverty, Delphine Carter never liked drawing attention to herself. Let alone the events of years past, which coiled in her heart like venomous snakes—being low-profile, silent, and taciturn had practically become second nature to her.

She returned to the Leclair Residence not too late, carrying simple luggage. Upon entering the side hall, she realized someone was already there.

The Family Head of the Leclair Family, Stone Leclair—an undisputed political giant of the South Seas—sat by the fireplace in the side hall, accompanied by two deferential secretaries who were briefing him on official matters.

Beatrice Carter stood to the side, personally slicing fruits. Gentle and considerate, she served tea and water, delivered the sliced fruit, and then quietly backed away.

Having not seen Beatrice in nearly ten days, she waved at Delphine upon noticing her, then approached and softly said, "Your Uncle Stone is back. Be mindful of your phrasing when you speak later."

Delphine nodded. Stone Leclair’s voice came from inside: "Beatrice, who are you talking to?"

Beatrice responded sweetly, her tone both playful and warm: "It’s Delphine. She’s back."

Beatrice moved her eyes subtly to signal Delphine. Delphine stepped forward, stopping three steps from the fireplace, and politely addressed him: "Mr. Leclair."

Despite being over fifty, Stone Leclair still retained a scholarly elegance. He looked less like a political figure and more like a man of refined taste.

"I hear from your aunt that you’ve been acting recently?" Stone Leclair raised his eyes to look at her and asked gently, gesturing for the two secretaries to leave with their documents.

"It was just a coincidence that I ended up acting," Delphine calmly replied, meeting Stone Leclair’s sharp and intelligent gaze. For Delphine, she had seen him more often on TV than in person. Throughout the South Seas, people praised Stone Leclair for being humble and affable. Her mother had also called him a rare and wise man. Yet, in her years at the Leclair Residence, this Uncle Stone had only ever treated her as a pitiable child—an orphan with nowhere to go. During these years, she hadn’t noticed any particularly close connection between the Leclair father and son. If even between true blood relations there was so little warmth, how could she expect anything else?

Ignatius Leclair’s attitude toward his influential father was intriguing. The Leclair father and son were like two separate realms—one in politics, the other in business. Even within the vast South Seas, their influence rarely intertwined; they were almost like kings who avoided meeting each other.

"Acting isn’t bad." Stone Leclair nodded, taking off his gold-rimmed glasses and closing the files he’d been reviewing. With refined poise, he said, "You resemble your aunt in some ways. She mentioned that her greatest dream back then was to become a theater actress. It’s quite unexpected that you’ve followed that path instead."

Beatrice smiled and stepped forward, her face flushing slightly as she semi-chided and semi-pleased said, "Don’t spout nonsense in front of the child—that was so long ago."

Delphine lowered her gaze. She had heard from her grandmother that Beatrice had been very opinionated even as a young girl. She had seen a theater troupe perform in their small town and kept clamoring to study drama. At fifteen, she left with the troupe, later gave birth to her, and traveled far to the South Seas.

No one knew what experiences her mother had gone through or who her father was. She had never asked.

Stone Leclair was over a decade older than Beatrice. Beatrice herself was only in her early forties—still in the prime of a woman’s beauty and maturity. Every gesture and every smile carried a natural allure.

"Alright, then let’s not talk about it," Stone Leclair said with a smile before turning back to Delphine and asking, "Your aunt says you’ve changed quite a bit over the years. Now that you’re back in the South Seas, don’t leave again. Your aunt often worries about you."

Delphine lowered her eyes and nodded lightly.