Chapter 491

The late autumn air carried a bone-chilling cold, so piercing that each breath felt like being sliced by icy blades. Few ventured outside these days. Especially at night. This year, the cold had arrived sooner and bit deeper than usual. As Irene stepped off the plane, she spotted Madelyn waiting for her at the arrivals gate. Dressed in a stylish beige trench coat, her delicate makeup accentuated her best features—this was a woman who effortlessly drew attention wherever she went. With effortless grace, Irene walked over to Madelyn. Madelyn smiled warmly, opening her arms for an embrace. "Welcome back," she said. Irene’s family home wasn’t in this city. However, she had studied here, and with her family’s branch company based here, she had chosen to return directly. Of course, only she knew the real reason behind her decision. Truth be told, the Harper family’s core operations had largely shifted overseas. Thanks to Irene’s strategic marriage alliance with an overseas family, the Harper