While everyone was passionately discussing the news, a message appeared. "I'd like to know, too."The moment Mark saw those words, he had a bad premonition. He looked at the sender's name. It was Julian.He then looked at the name of the group chat. It was "Hughes Group."He was over. He was completely over.Didn't he send it to their gossip group chat? How did it end up in the company's group chat?He clutched his phone with trembling hands. Would this cost him his job?"Is it that obvious?" asked Julian.Mark heard Julian's voice behind him and turned around as his heart pounded.Julian's expression was as calm as usual. "Hmm?"Mark nodded as he replied, "Yeah."He then took a deep breath and continued, "Those who have worked here long enough can see it."Julian seemed thoughtful as he replied, "I thought I hid it well."Mark lowered his head."Everyone in the group is still waiting for your answer," said Julian as he gripped the handle of the office door. His cold ton
Shayne couldn't help but think that if he and Aralyn hadn't divorced, she would've been elated to receive this ring from him.Unfortunately, he couldn't go back in time.He looked down and felt increasingly lost.Didn't he like Luna? So, why had he been thinking about Aralyn so much lately?…When it was time for dinner, the private elevator reserved for executives happened to be out of service. Julian and I had no choice but to take the public elevator. Unfortunately, it was the end of the work day. As the elevator descended, the number of people in the elevator increased.I stood in the corner, but people would bump into me occasionally due to how cramped it was inside.Julian was worried that I would feel uncomfortable, so he got closer to me. He then placed his arm in front of me, creating a safe zone.I no longer had to be hit by stray arms, so I finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you.""You're welcome."…Julian had practically encased Aralyn within his arms. He
"That's good then," Shayne said to Luna. He liked how they were maintaining a distance between each other right now."I still have some work to deal with. Why don't you head home?"Luna placed the gift box into her bag, her face full of unconcealed joy. "Alright."Shayne watched Luna's retreating figure. His brows knitted tighter and tighter.Wasn't it commonly said that people spent money on those they liked? He had spent so much money on Luna, so he should like Luna. However, he was averse to having any intimate interactions with her.Shayne rubbed the diamond ring in his hand. He couldn't understand the reason.…I returned to the office after lunch. Alice was already awake. While I was eating, I thought about how to draw what happened today in a way that maintains the storyline while making it seem more interesting.As such, I planned to continue drawing once I sat back down on the couch."Don't work yet," Alice said, hugging my arm and leaning her entire body against mi
Julian didn't answer me directly. He merely asked, "She doesn't seem to treat you well either. Are you really willing to be friends with her?""She hasn't really been malicious toward me," I replied. After careful consideration, I continued, "Mainly, I suddenly realized that I don't seem to have any friends in this city. Alice is the first friend I've made."Julian raised a brow."You probably don't know this, but I came to this unfamiliar city for Shayne. Then I married him. Before I even had a chance to work or make any friends, I had a child. After that, I became like any other housewife, pouring all my energy into taking care of the baby and managing the household. I didn't have any free time," I calmly explained.With all of my time consumed, I naturally didn't have the mood to think of anything else. I looked at Julian and concluded, "So, I'm very happy that Alice is willing to be my friend."…As Julian listened to her, he suddenly thought Aralyn was like a modern-day R
Willow's expression was incredibly serious. She looked like a little adult.Julian pinched her cheeks, holding back his laughter. "But you're not a two or three-year-old kid anymore."Willow was still young after all, so she couldn't think of a retort even after she thought about it for a long time. She thus looked at me for help.I lifted her onto my lap and said, "But she's still going to kindergarten!"Willow nodded firmly as she agreed, "Mommy is right!"…When Shayne arrived to pick Zach up, he noticed Luna was there as well.He looked at her from afar. Half of her hair was tied back. She stood quietly, exuding an air of tranquility.In an instant, Shayne felt as if he had been transported back to a time before his divorce from Aralyn. Back then, he would drop Zach off when he went to work and pick him up once he was done working. Luna did the same as well. Inevitably, he'd have some interactions with Luna. Over time, the resentment from the past faded, and they grew clo
Although Shayne had never shared any intimate contact with Luna, she could sense that Shayne's feelings for her were gradually rekindling.Back then, she had confidently believed that as long as Shayne became single again, their relationship would experience rapid growth due to the lack of moral and social constraints.They would quickly fall deeply in love and be inseparable. Shayne would also only have eyes for her.However, after using every means at her disposal to facilitate the breakdown of Shayne and Aralyn's marriage, she realized that reality was completely different from what she had imagined.Luna furrowed her brows. Every time she wanted to take their relationship to the next step, Shayne would reject it. Only when she reverted back to just being a friend or even someone more distant did Shayne feel comfortable.She gently massaged her temples.She even started wondering if everything would've been better if she had been more patient back then and waited for Shayne
How many adults found themselves trapped in various predicaments? Yet, Willow, a little child, understood that simply running away would never solve anything. As long as one had the determination to step out of one's comfort zone and persevere, one could overcome difficulties and welcome a new life.My gaze gradually softened.Willow finished her practice for the day and walked over to me. Her spirits were low. "Mom, am I a bad kid?"I knew she was a sensitive child who was especially considerate of others. So, I smiled and asked, "Why do you say that?""Because people are willing to be my friend…" Willow said as she stretched her arms toward me. I picked her up.She rested her head on my shoulder and continued pitifully, "But I can't even talk to them.""That's just because you haven't overcome your mutism yet. It's not like you're ignoring her on purpose, right?" I asked her gently.Willow hummed softly in agreement.I continued, "Once you're able to talk with people normally
"Hmm?" Shayne asked absentmindedly.Luna had noticed Shayne's recent change in behavior. She could somewhat sense Shayne's wish to gradually distance himself from her until they became strangers once more.However, she hadn't gotten enough money from him yet, so she naturally couldn't allow that to happen.Luna needed him to dispel any thoughts of leaving her. Her tone was nostalgic as she said, "This park has been here since we were in college."Shayne felt as if the weight on his chest had been momentarily lifted when he recalled those youthful and naive days.Shayne smiled faintly and replied, "Yeah, back then, we were just broke students with no money for outings, so everyone always came to the park."Seeing him respond well to her statement, Luna continued, "Every time we walked side by side, our friends would tease us. They'd say we were a match made in heaven, so we should be together. They even worked hard to pair us together."Luna tilted her head back to look at the sk
Luna was just that attractive to men.She couldn't stop smiling at the thought."Then what kind of men do you think would like me?" Yasmin asked.Luna was momentarily stumped as she looked Yasmin up and down. Even though Yasmin was the same age as Aralyn, she lacked Aralyn's composure and calmness.Instead, she seemed a bit foolish.Luna found Yasmin somewhat annoying, but she didn't show it.She just smiled faintly and said, "Probably more mature and experienced men."Yasmin pressed her lips together. Those kinds of men were usually older, and she wasn't interested in them.Of course, Luna knew what Yasmin was thinking about but didn't show it. "I think most men aren't worthy of you, of course. Someone like Julian is just right.""That's right!" Yasmin agreed instantly.Luna nodded. "Yeah."Frowning, Yasmin muttered, "But the men who are worthy of me don't like me.""With diligence and persistence, anything is possible," Luna answered patiently.After finishing work, teas
Shayne had no other way to relieve his feelings now.Although drinking could make him forget Aralyn, he would feel like his heart had been hollowed out the very next day. It was unbearably miserable.Hence, he wanted to meet Zach. Zach was one of the few family members he had in this world.Once Shayne made the decision, he drove to Zach's place.…Luna never knew that pregnancy could be so exhausting. The animation project had just ended, but she had to design drafts for trendy toys now. She was dead tired.And now, someone was knocking on the door in the middle of the night.Luna opened the door.The person standing at the door was Yasmin, someone she had seen on TV.Recently, Luna had also learned a bit about Yasmin. Although she was rather fierce and seemed immature, she was about the same age as Aralyn."What are you here for?" Luna asked in surprise."To chat with you."Without even waiting for Luna to invite her in, Yasmin walked straight into the living room and s
Julian walked out, having just finished his shower. When he heard my conversation with Willow, he explained, "Your mommy is even more amazing than you think. Tens of millions is actually just a safe guess."Willow's mouth dropped open in surprise. "Wow, she can make even more?"Julian remained composed. "Yeah, these designer toys are selling really well, and they've also boosted sales of related merchandise and some comic books."Willow looked at me with even more admiration.Smiling, I uttered, "It's all thanks to your daddy."However, Julian was humble. "It's clearly because of your own hard work."I didn't deny it.Julian then asked, "The toys you designed yourself are also making a lot of money, right?""I heard from Mark that their sales are catching up to the designer toys. They've also made a huge profit. When the hype starts dying down, I'll release a new set of dolls. Based on my current inventory, I think I can keep the momentum going for at least another year," I s
"Alice doesn't know much, but these manufacturers definitely do. If you contact them and ask for a list, do you think they'll help you?" I asked.Mark hesitated for a moment. If everyone took advantage of this trend and increased production, they could make more money.And the more people knew about it and discussed it, the longer the hype would last, and the more money everyone could earn.Of course, they would be willing to introduce their peers.Once Mark understood this, he excitedly said, "Got it! I'll contact them right away!""Okay." My tone finally relaxed.…Mark was dedicated to this job. He proactively reached out to the factory owners. After explaining the pros and cons to them, he asked them to introduce other factory owners to him.Each of them was enthusiastic. Within just a few dozen minutes, he had already gotten at least ten phone numbers.He called them one by one, explaining his needs.To ease their concerns, he mentioned his referrers and emphasized that
Aralyn had always been the one to soothe them, including Charlotte.Shayne had now come to realize that Charlotte wasn't as great as he had once imagined.It was just that, when Aralyn was by his side, she had been afraid of affecting his work. So, no matter how much trouble Charlotte caused, Aralyn always covered for her.Yet, he refused to cherish the woman who had cared so much for him.Shayne took a deep breath, suddenly feeling exhausted."What's there to think about?" Charlotte asked."In all the years Aralyn was with me, the money she spent didn't even add up to what you both spend in a month, or even a week. Wait, even a day," Shayne said coldly.Charlotte felt that Shayne had become stingy. "But you're supposed to spend the money you make.""My son and wife didn't get to spend it. It all went to you." Shayne's voice was filled with self-mockery.Charlotte was a little annoyed. What did he mean by that?She had worked so hard to raise Shayne. It was only right that he
"Other people don't know the truth, so I can understand if they blame me. But Shayne knows, yet he still blames me!" Charlotte said.Luna sighed. "Don't let others sow discord between you. As for Shayne, he's still dreaming about getting back together with Aralyn. He's probably still hoping to have more children with her."But Aralyn no longer had any interest in Shayne.Luna understood this very well. If she were married to a man like Julian—gentle, rich, handsome, and loving—she wouldn't even consider someone like Shayne.Sure, Shayne was somewhat good-looking, but he was also stingy and emotionally unavailable.The contrast was just too brutal.If Aralyn broke up with Julian and got back together with Shayne, Luna would seriously question whether Aralyn had a mental illness.Charlotte, of course, didn't think her son had done anything wrong. Hence, in her mind, Aralyn was the one at fault."Aralyn must have been secretly contacting Shayne! Otherwise, why would he still be th
"That's right," Julian said.It seemed Donald coming here wasn't entirely in vain. At the very least, he had helped Willow learn something.Julian was extremely pleased.When Donald heard that, his face grew darker, and he tried to explain, "I didn't…"Julian had no interest in listening. After years of navigating the business world, he could tell a person's intentions the moment they spoke.Not wanting to waste time on Donald's nonsense, Julian uttered, "It's late. My daughter needs to sleep. You should leave."Donald was forced to swallow all the words he wanted to say.He stared at Julian in a daze for a long time. But in the end, he could only leave.Once he disappeared from the living room, Julian asked, "Can you guess why he went through all this trouble?""What else could it be? He wants you to think I'm a terrible person and ruin our relationship."Julian's voice grew colder. "If he were only trying to sabotage our relationship, I might call him clever. But he even pu
Mom should have fought a fair and just lawsuit and demanded more money from them.Donald remained silent, unable to say a word."Besides, Mom had a job at the beginning. Even after you two got married, she rarely asked you for money."Honestly, I always felt that my personality was similar to Mom's.Both of us were highly independent."Even after you made Mom a housewife, you rarely gave her money. She spent almost entirely from her own savings. So, can you tell me the 'good things' you've done for me?"Donald hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "I admit, when I was with your mom, I really didn't treat her well. But you wouldn't even exist if it weren't for me. I'm your elder! Even if you ignore everything else, just the fact that I gave you life means you should respect me!"I laughed. "If Mom wasn't with you, she would have been with someone else. And I would still have been born just the same. You're not exactly irreplaceable."Donald stared at me for a long tim
Shayne showed no emotion, yet it struck Charlotte like a bolt of lightning.Charlotte's lips moved. After a long time, she finally said, "I never expected things to turn out this way.""Not expecting it means you can wash your hands of responsibility?" Shayne mocked coldly.Charlotte didn't know what to say."No, you can't. Zach won't forgive you, and neither will I. You should just focus on the baby in Luna's belly and live your life," Shayne added.Before he could hang up, Charlotte hurriedly said, "But didn't you already forgive us before?""The fact that you can still reach me by phone is proof that I don't hate you."Charlotte let out a sigh of relief upon hearing that."It's just that, for now, I can't forget that I will never be able to have another child for the rest of my life."Charlotte's mood grew heavier.…Donald rushed to Julian's house in the middle of the night.When Julian saw him come in, he was a little surprised.Just as he was about to ask what Donald