Abigail laughed. "How could one not listen to good news? I just wanted to know what kind of sheer dumb luck I've been in recently. Why have I been receiving so much good news?"Melody said, "Out of the depth of misfortune comes bliss."Abigail laughed."Then I shall share some of my good luck with you all.""Hear me out first," Felix said.Abigail and Melody said, "Okay, shoot.""The comic series you drew in college, entitled 'My College Life', suddenly became popular," said Felix.Abigail asked in confusion, "Didn't we use the series to make up the numbers for the studio? Why did it suddenly become popular?""I thought something was wrong with our backend data when I saw the data for your comic series that day. After checking, I learned that your comic series is too realistic and practically a real-life portrayal of most college students at Florivera University, causing most students to resonate with it. The students in the Chrysalan language department saw your comic and reco
The three of them chatted and finished their dinner. Then, they divided their tasks: one person cleaned up the dining table, one did the dishes, and another cleaned up the kitchen. All of the tasks were completed quickly.After they cleaned up, Abigail returned to her room and decided to draw for a bit. Just as she took out her tablet, Melody and Felix came into her room. They asked her a difficult question in unusually serious tones, "Caterpie, do you really plan on giving Nathan another chance?"Abigail nodded."Mhm. I'm serious."Melody said, "Caterpie, we'll support you no matter your decision. However, there still are some things we need to tell you beforehand."Abigail knew they were worried."Just say whatever you all want to say. Is there anything that we can't tell each other?"Felix squeezed to her side and reached out to hold her. "Ever since you two got married, Nathan disappeared from the face of Earth. Then, there was news he wanted to divorce you after you got sla
Abigail said: [I'm not someone who trusts others easily. But when I've decided to trust someone, I'll fully trust them. Right now, I trust every single thing you say, so I hope you're worthy of my trust.]For a moment, Xander was at a loss after seeing Abigail's message. He realized he had planted a ticking time bomb in their relationship when he did not reveal his identity on time when they got married.'Now that I've finally given her a good impression using Nathan's identity, she probably won't be able to take it if I told her right now that Nathan and Xander are the same people,' thought Xander.After long contemplation, Xander replied: [As long as you believe that I truly want to spend the rest of my life with you.]Abigail replied: [Alright. I'm going to shower and sleep. Good night!]Nathan: [Good night.]...As expected, Abigail received news that the bank loan had been issued the following morning.The people from the sales also informed them that they could go through
"Thank you, Mr. Zane!" Abigail watched Xander enter the sales department. Then, she immediately took out her phone and looked up the phrase "house inspector".Abigail was shocked after searching it up. She learned that there were many house inspection companies. They charged two to three hundred dollars for unfinished units. On the other hand, finished units were more expensive and cost five to seven hundred dollars.This price point was not expensive for a big city like Florivera. Abigail could afford such a service but was too shy to reject Xander's kindness.Melody and Felix also arrived. The two were really excited. "Caterpie, we're now homeowners too."Abigail smiled. "Mhm. We've achieved one of our big goals in life.""Come on. Let's sort out the paperwork for the property collection," said Felix."Alright."After the three did the paperwork, the designer—Elisha Chandler—arrived.Elisha was tall and buff. Unlike his name, he was not lovely-looking at all. He wore a pair o
Abigail was pleased with Nathan's detailed explanation.[Got it.] she responded.Nathan: [Abigail, thank you for unconditionally believing in me.]Abigail replied: [We're husband and wife. Who do I believe in if not you?]Xander was ecstatic to see her acknowledge their relationship. For a while, he was so excited that he did not know what to say.Meanwhile, Abigail was much calmer after getting Xander's affirmative answer."Mr. Chandler, you're not only ruining Nathan's reputation with your words. If someone told your wife about what you said, wouldn't she be very disappointed?" she asked.At the mention of his wife, Elisha instantly changed his narrative. "I was just joking, guys. There's no need to take my words seriously. Come on. Take me to your place."Melody and Felix were dubious."Caterpie, do you really believe he was joking?""Of course I do," said Abigail.Melody and Felix did not say anything more after seeing how Abigail was so trusting of Nathan.The three le
Although he knew the photos were doctored, Elisha's hand trembled with shock. "Honey, these pictures are photoshopped. Someone is trying to frame me. I swear, I've done nothing to betray you."A piercing, caustic voice echoed from the phone speaker; Mrs. Chandler's. "Do you think I'm a fool? You're just an interior designer, not some high-profile figure. Who'd have the time to frame you?"Elisha felt like he could not seem to shake off this dirt. "Honey, please believe me. Someone is framing me. I swear, may lightning strike me if I've done anything to betray you."Mrs. Chandler raged. "Elisha, not only do you not admit your mistakes, but you also argue with me. Let me tell you, I can't live with you anymore.""Honey, I swear—"Before Elisha could finish, Mrs. Chandler cut him off. "Since you refuse to admit it, don't bother coming home."No matter how Elisha tried to explain, he could not convince his wife that he was being set up. 'I don't have any enemies. Who would frame me?'
'You'd be hard-pressed to find another person in this world as picky as him.' Abigail had not forgotten how finicky Xander had been about his food when she first started working for him. He would not eat anything too cold or too hot, nothing even slightly greasy, and nothing too bland. It had to be prepared precisely to his specifications. He had nearly driven the chef to the brink of despair. That being said, Xander did seem to have become less picky recently. 'Could it be that hanging around with the spice-loving CEO's wife has made him less fussy?' she wondered."Lost in thought?" Xander's mellifluous voice flowed gently into her ear."Just thinking about nothing in particular." Abigail tried to use the act of drinking water to mask her embarrassment, but she could not manage to twist the cap off after several tries. Xander took the bottle from her, effortlessly unscrewing the cap and handing it back to her. "Thank you, Mr. Zane!" After taking a few sips, her throat, parched from
Seeing Abigail's unwillingness to dine with him etched all over her face was a blow to him. 'Why is she so averse to spending time with me privately when I, Xander, haven't done anything wrong by her?' Xander thought it crucial to get to the bottom of this, or he would have to deal with her constantly evading him in the future.Before he could respond, Abigail stepped forward. "Mel, Mr. Zane is a busy man. He doesn't have time to dine with us."'Clearly, she doesn't want to dine with me, yet she sugarcoats her excuse so nobly.' Xander, who was originally planning to decline Melody's invitation, changed his mind in an instant. "Actually, I don't have much on my plate today. If Abigail doesn't mind, let's have dinner together."With him putting it that way, Abigail could not say she minded—not unless she wanted to lose her job. "I'd be more than pleased. Why would I mind, Mr. Zane?"Felix chimed in with a sour comment, "Abigail doesn't want to dine with you; she's being pressured by
Emma turned and dashed into the bathroom. She cranked the faucet on and splashed water on her face, aiming to soothe her nerves.Although they were engaged, they were still too young, with countless uncertainties looming over their future. The possibility of actually walking down the aisle was up in the air.Decisions made in a rush of happiness could eventually become sources of regret. And Emma knew all too well that she couldn't afford any regrets.She thought that fortunately, Ron hadn't pushed things further, which gave her time to cool off.After freshening up, Emma stepped out to find Ron on the balcony, a cigarette in hand.She couldn't resist chiding him, "I've told you to cut down on smoking. Why can't you seem to remember?"This time, Ron complied, snuffing out the cigarette. "We should get some sleep. We've got to put our best foot forward when we meet your family tomorrow.""Okay, I'll sleep on the couch. You take the bed," Emma responded.Ron simply replied, "As y
Ron looked at her dawdling pace with disdain. "If you, a lady, can handle it, why can't I, a grown man, stay?"His words sounded noble, but Ron regretted them the moment they arrived at the hotel.Despite now earning a decent income, Emma was still reluctant to spend money.This place was hardly a hotel; it was clearly a budget inn charging only a few dozen bucks a night. The hygiene was questionable at best, and safety seemed like a gamble.Ron turned on his heel, dragging her suitcase behind him. "We're leaving, now.""It's too late, and we can't get a refund for the room.""Are you trying to get us killed?"Emma fell silent, her thoughts a whirlwind of frustration. 'I told him he wouldn't be used to cheap places. He insisted on coming with me, and now he won't even let me stay here alone. Why is he so annoying?'However, considering Ron had rushed over in the middle of the night to help her, Emma decided not to hold it against him.Ron picked the best hotel in the area—the
Rebekah glanced over at Ron; she exchanged a knowing look with him before saying, "I'll have someone tidy up the rooms. Why don't you two stay here tonight and keep me company?"Ron replied simply, "Sure."Emma had purchased a midnight flight back to South Florivera, necessitating a rush to the airport, which made staying over after dinner impossible.Yet, she found herself at a loss for words, struggling to decline Rebekah's kind offer.As she hesitated, Ron stepped in to clear the air. "Mom, I've got something on tonight. After dinner, I'll drive Emma back to her dorm."Rebekah raised an eyebrow. "What's so important?" she wondered aloud, thinking, 'Wasn't he the one insisting Emma stay over? What's he up to now?'Ron kept it mysterious. "Life stuff."Rebekah could not help but chide him lightly, "You, always the joker."Right after dinner, Ron insisted on leaving to take Emma back to her dormitory. But as soon as they were out of the gated community, he asked, "So, you reall
Ron chuckled. "I didn't know you were aware that even a cornered rat will fight."Emma shot him a glare. "Are we going or not?"Ron quickly said, "Of course. When Miss Blue commands, how can I dare not obey?"Fearing another of his notorious driving escapades, Emma hastily buckled her seatbelt as she settled into the car.Thankfully, this time Ron kept it smooth, driving steadily.As they neared their destination, Ron finally spoke up, "You know, that Tucker guy is a married man. Don't let his kindness fool you into being the other woman."Emma's gaze on Ron was fiery, seething with anger. "Do you even hear yourself? Is that what you think of me? For the last time: Tucker and I share nothing more than a mentor-mentee relationship. There's nothing else between us.""I'm just looking out for you, worried you might get deceived," Ron said, witnessing Emma's fury for the first time. Yet, he could not help but find her anger not at all intimidating, but rather endearingly foolish.R
The two sisters had a pact: no cell phones at home to keep their secrets from the prying eyes of the Blue family. Thus, Emma could call only at prearranged times, the sole window for Rihanna to catch up.Rihanna's voice bubbled with excitement over the phone, as she chattered away about her life's minutiae.Knowing Rihanna was doing well eased Emma's mind.Just as Emma was about to end the call, she heard Rihanna's voice, soft and wistful. "You're really not coming home for the holidays? If you don't, I'll be all alone."Emma's heart clenched at those words, and she made up her mind in an instant. "I'll come back the day before New Year's Eve."The Blue family had their hands full with festivities that day, too busy to notice Rihanna's absence. Emma figured slipping back unnoticed then would be her best shot.After hanging up, Emma immediately booked a flight from Valtara to South Florivera. With her ticket secured and her last bit of work finished, Emma prepared to leave her off
Emma had no interest in romance, let alone the audacity to dream that Ron might fancy her.This time, she did not pick up the thread of conversation.After dinner, Ron, as usual, drove Emma back to the university.Before parting, Ron said, "Winter break is almost upon us, and the dorms might be off-limits. Are you sure you don't want to stay at my place for a couple of months?"Emma offered a smile in response. "Thanks for the offer. I've spoken with the dorm supervisor and submitted an application in advance. I'll be able to stay over the holiday period."Ron paused before saying, "Well, if you need anything, just let me know. I'll text you my number in a bit; make sure you save it."Emma nodded. "Sure."Without further ado, Ron drove off.Upon returning to her dorm, Emma saw Evelyn and Cassie, busy packing their bags, surrounded by gifts for their parents bought from Valtara.Evelyn asked Emma, "Are you really not going home for the winter break?"Emma replied, "No, I won't
Emma did not have the guts to risk failure because she did not have a safe haven to fall back on.Lucas kicked Ron in the shin. "Come on, if you fancy her, out with it. No Hagrid heir dithers like this."Ron glared at him. "Mind your own business." In his head, Emma was already his. The thought of losing her was unimaginable.Lucas said, "Without my meddling, she'd never be yours."Ron changed the subject. "I called you here for a serious discussion."Lucas replied, "No matter how serious, it can't outweigh the matter of your lifetime happiness."Ron was exasperated. "Lucas!"Lucas relented. "Alright, alright, you talk, I'm all ears."Ron spelled out Emma's music venture with Tucker. After hearing it all, Lucas could not help but see Emma in a new light."Never pegged Emma as such a dark horse," Lucas said.Silently listening to their conversation, Emma was thrilled to have her work recognized.Lucas said, "But, getting back to it, whether a song makes money, and how much, d
Ron barked, "Lucas!"With a chuckle, Lucas responded, "Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing Emma. I'm starving. Let's grab some food and talk business while we eat."Ron snapped, "Get lost!"Lucas could not help but revel in Ron's frustration. "Ron, have you fallen so quickly? Who was it that told me they would never accept an arranged marriage?"Emma was increasingly confused by their banter. "If it's inconvenient for me to be here, I can just take a cab and leave."Ron said, "Call you dumb and you won't admit it!"Emma thought to herself, 'I didn't want to be a third wheel, cramping their style. Was that really so wrong? No good deed goes unpunished, apparently.'Suddenly, Ron grabbed Emma's hand and led her inside. "It's cold out; let's go inside."Emma had to quicken her pace, practically being dragged along.Seeing them together, Lucas laughed heartily from behind. "Ron, oh Ron, never thought I'd see the day.""Don't laugh too soon. Your day is coming," Ron shot back.Th
Emma said, "Okay."Ron asked, "Have you won over your crush?"Lucas responded, "Secret."Ron replied, "Looks like you haven't won her over."Lucas said, "As long as I make a move, there's no girl I can't win over. But I haven't made a move yet because the timing isn't right."Ron asked, "Is it because of the Sandow family?"Lucas answered, "The Sandow family wants to marry their daughter to me, and my family wants me to marry her too. But I've told them long ago that I'm not willing to do that. Nobody can make me marry a girl I don't like."Emma remained silent. 'I didn't expect that Lucas would also have the same problem as me and Ron.'It seems like the wealthier the family, the more they'll arrange marriages based on social status without considering personal preferences.'Lucas seemed to sense Emma's thoughts. "Emma, my situation with the Sandow girl is different from yours and Ron's. Don't lump us together."Ron looked at Emma and suddenly said, "There isn't any other gi