"Don’t misunderstand. I’ve been sponsoring this welfare home, and I’ve visited a few times before. She’s an orphan—she just got attached to me and started calling me that."
I nodded and smiled, reaching out to gently touch the child’s face.
"She looks a lot like you. If you hadn’t told me otherwise, I would’ve assumed she was your daughter."
"What’s her name?"
"Cassie. She’s the one I plan to adopt."
Before she could say anything else, Cassie suddenly burst into tears and cried out, "Daddy!"
Virginia’s expression turned deathly white in an instant.
She glanced at me nervously, trying to gauge my reaction.
I met her gaze with an easy smile.
"I’m fine. Go comfort her. She’s a beautiful child—I like her too."
My words seemed to reassure her.
Without another thought, Virginia carried Cassie into the office, leaving me alone.
Seizing the opportunity, I excused myself, pretending I needed to use the bathroom.
Outside, the voices of the welfare home staff drifted through the hallway.
"Why is Virginia pretending her child is an orphan? Look at those clothes—each piece costs more than my monthly salary. Who would believe she’s not from a wealthy family?"