He wanted to repay Hope Newton, but she refused money, gifts, or even to use his influence to climb higher.

All she had ever asked was for his help to find her family.

Thinking of this, Mr. Luca asked softly, “Hope, have you found your family yet?”

At once, Sylvia and Noah tensed up.

Sylvia shot Hope a nervous, almost warning look. Fear glimmered in her eyes—if Hope revealed the truth, Sylvia could lose everything.

Noah’s emotions were more complicated. The thought that Hope might openly admit their sibling connection made him uneasy.

He clutched his fists, silently telling himself: Hope doesn’t deserve it. Even if she revealed the truth,...