Wendy lifted her head and smiled at Layla. "Haven't you always said you haven't seen Liam in a while? Now that he's here, you should talk to him more.""I... I didn't say that..."Layla's face turned even redder. Nonetheless, she shuffled over to stand beside Liam.Seeing Layla approach, Liam squinted slightly as he spoke. "Layla, about your friend's health, I think I might have—""Liam, you're worried too, aren't you?"Layla did not catch the meaning behind Liam's words. She sighed deeply and added, "We're all very concerned about her, but according to Wendy, she's been like this for over ten years with no improvement.""Liam, thank you for your concern. I'm actually doing okay," Wendy replied, having overheard their conversation. Wendy lifted her head and gave a smile that was both understanding and heart-wrenching."Back when I was in Juneau, the doctors had already given up on me. However, my parents somehow heard about a miracle doctor in South City with incredible skills
Even though she did not know how Liam met such a wealthy and attractive friend in the provincial capital, Lucy's appearance made Layla feel a great sense of crisis."Layla, what's wrong?" Liam asked when he saw Layla lower her head and sigh."It's nothing..."Layla responded in a muffled voice, keeping her head down as if lost in thought."Liam, the family was talking about Howser a few days ago. I was back on campus then, so I wasn't at home! At that time, I thought that if only I had been home, there wouldn't have been so much resentment in the family!"Layla quickly raised her head and, with some grievance, said, "I've always known that you're very capable, Liam. There must've been some misunderstanding in that matter..."Layla seemed to be trying to explain the family's attitude at the time.Liam saw Layla's expression and smiled. "It's okay, Layla, I understand. You don't need to worry. I don't actually care much about those things..."Layla became anxious upon hearing Lia
"Liam, you…"Hearing Liam's words, Layla became even more anxious. Reflecting on her family's recent attitude toward Liam, she understood his reaction but could not accept that Liam wanted to completely cut ties with Serena. A direct conversation would not solve the problem. She had to rely on subtle, persistent communication to change his mind.Layla took a deep breath and asked, "Liam, have you eaten?""Huh?"Liam was taken aback by her sudden change of topic. One moment she was talking about Wendy, and the next, she was asking if he had eaten."Actually, I haven't."Thinking back on his day, Liam shook his head. He had not eaten yet. He had come near the university to reminisce and enjoy some snacks from his past.Layla came over and took Liam's arm. "That's perfect! We were just about to eat. Join us.""Aren't you having a gathering with your classmates?"Liam did not mind eating with Layla, but he remembered that she mentioned a class reunion."It's fine. All my clas
"There's nothing to blame yourselves for," Liam said, shaking his head with a smile as he watched the scene unfold.Jackson Hughes exhaled deeply. "That's a relief, Liam. I'm glad you're so understanding and not holding it against us. Otherwise, Layla would've skinned me alive!"You're nothing like the rumors say," he added, raising his head to look at Liam with small, inquisitive eyes.Liam's smile broadened. "Oh? What do the rumors say about me?"Jackson shook his head. "They say you're unambitious and incompetent, relying on the Lloyd family. Worst of all, they claim you have a terrible temper and even hit your in-laws! Your temperament seems fine to me."Liam chuckled softly at Jackson's words. It seemed the Lloyd family had been spreading quite a bit of gossip about him in South City.Layla's angry voice cut through the conversation. "Jackson, have you said enough? Do you think what I told you is true, or do you believe the rumors outside?""Of course, what you said is true
Jackson grinned widely. "How about it? I've treated you all quite well, haven't I?"Layla rolled her eyes at Jackson. "Considering how sincere you are, if Liam really doesn't blame you, then I'll forgive what you just said!"Soon, they entered a private room. Upon entering, they discovered that the room's decor was incredibly luxurious. After admiring the environment, everyone sat around the central table.Jackson picked up the menu from the table and handed it to Liam. "Liam, take a look and see what you want to eat. Order whatever you like!""You can order. I'm fine with anything."Liam smiled faintly. His purpose for coming was not to eat."Don't worry, Liam. You don't need to worry about the price. My dad's paying for it anyway!" Jackson explained hurriedly, thinking Liam was concerned about the cost.Liam shook his head again. "No need.""Alright then."Jackson had no choice but to take back the menu and start ordering.After a while, Jackson finished ordering and looked
"Liam, don't worry. With me here, when you work for my dad's company, no one will say anything bad about you!" Jackson said confidently, thumping his chest to emphasize his point."Once you start working at my dad's company, everyone will know about your situation, and those who gossip about you will gradually decrease," he added earnestly, looking at Liam.Layla chimed in, "That's right, Liam! If you've not been working, you should give Jackson's company a try. The Hughes Group is well known throughout the Qyn Province! The Hughes Group is quite powerful, even more so than the Lloyd Group!" You should really consider it! After all, your friends are so impressive…"Layla trailed off, concern evident in her eyes. Knowing that Liam did not seem to have a formal job, Layla began to worry for him. After all, having impressive friends only meant that Liam was a decent person.To truly change his situation, he needed to be impressive himself. If he could get a job at Hughes Group, it
The waiter hurriedly turned and left the private room after placing the dishes on the table.Sitting beside them, Jackson boasted proudly, his mouth stuffed with food, "How is it? The food here is really delicious, isn't it?"Layla rolled her eyes at Jackson. "It's really good! Look at you, you're getting rounder and rounder!""Of course—"Just as Jackson was about to say something, his phone suddenly rang. Not just him, but Iman Hughes's phone also rang abruptly.Hearing the sound, Jackson glanced at his phone and was momentarily stunned. "What's going on? Why is my dad calling me at this time?"He struggled to swallow the food in his mouth and answered the phone."Are you at the Velvet Lounge?"Before Jackson could speak, his father's nervous and trembling voice came through the phone."I..."Jackson was stunned. He did not expect his father, Spencer Hughes, the chairman of Hughes Group, to catch him sneaking to the Velvet Lounge!"Dad, you're always so wise and mighty..."
Iman sat at the back, his face equally filled with anxiety. "How could this happen!"Upon hearing Jackson's words, Layla finally realized the gravity of the situation.Jackson lost any desire to eat. He stood up, anxiously pacing back and forth."I have no idea! Everything started when we arrived, but we didn't do anything unusual!"Jackson knew his father's character well. His father was calm even when facing a collapsing mountain, so what could have happened to make his father panic like that?The more he thought about it, the more it made Jackson nervous.He was not sure if it was just his imagination, but he seemed to hear a series of frantic noises coming from outside their private room.Jackson's anxiety affected everyone else in the room.Layla also grew tense but still tried to comfort him. "Don't worry. I'm sure it's nothing!"Jackson could not sit still. "Something must've happened! Otherwise, my dad wouldn't be so worried!"Due to Spencer's orders, he did not dare
"What do you think you are!"Hearing Liam's voice, the man known as Mister Leonidas turned his head, his eyes flashing with a cold gleam as he looked at Liam. "Do you think you have a say here?""Liam…"A trace of anxiety flashed across Sophia's face. She tugged at Liam's sleeve, signaling for him to stay quiet.When she saw Mister Leonidas and the others appear earlier, Sophia had been worried that Liam, being impulsive, might do something reckless!After all, young people sometimes can't control their tempers, and that's normal.She recalled how, when Mister Leonidas and his gang first demanded protection money, she had absolutely refused to pay!In the end, this had led to the current tragic situation.Sophia did not want Liam to be dragged into all this trouble."No wonder you dared to come back," Mister Leonidas sneered as he looked at the scene before him. "So you brought some backup!""But…" He looked Liam up and down, then mockingly spoke, "This so-called backup of yo
"This is the place…"Standing at the entrance of the shop, Sophia's expression darkened."Who gave them the guts..."Looking at the devastated butcher shop ahead, a flash of anger suddenly flickered in Liam's eyes!It was clear.For her butcher shop, Sophia had put in a lot of effort. Not only was the decoration quite delicate, but even the walls had a cartoonish image of Sophia smiling broadly!Just looking at the shop's decor, one could tell how happy and excited Sophia was during the preparation stage.But all of it had already been shattered to pieces before it even began!"Let's just leave after we're done…"Sophia's voice sounded heavy.She had turned her head, not wanting to see the heartbreaking scene inside the butcher shop."Aunt Sophia, don't be sad. I'll pay to help you redo the shop…"Noticing Sophia's sadness, Liam turned around and gave a small smile, trying to comfort her.However, just then, a harsh voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Liam's words."Did
"Fowler Society?"Upon hearing Sophia's words, Liam was momentarily stunned."That's right."Sophia sighed deeply, looked up, and weakly glanced at Liam. "Child, you probably haven't heard of this organization.""We ordinary people are like this. Before this, I didn't even know there was a Fowler Society in our South City…"A bitter smile flashed across her face. "But after finding out, I realized the Fowler Society is actually the biggest underground force in South City!"We ordinary people are no match for them. If I had known this, I would've just paid the management fee to them. What would it have cost me…"Sophia was full of regret.Under the intense pressure of the so-called Fowler Society members, she dared not feel any anger. She only regretted paying the management fee, as that would have prevented the current situation!However, the more Liam listened to Sophia, the more he furrowed his brows."They actually dare to do such things?"His face darkened as he pulled o
"No, no! What could be wrong with me!"Hearing this, Sophia shook her head.Despite saying this, her tall and strong frame, which usually radiated enthusiasm, now seemed exhausted to the point where she barely had the strength to speak. How could she possibly be fine?"Aunt Sophia, you've always told me we're like family."Liam shook his head and blocked Sophia's path as she tried to leave. "If you don't tell me, it means you don't consider me one of your own!""I…"Upon hearing this, a bitter smile flashed across Sophia's face. She sighed heavily before speaking.Sophia's meat-selling business had always been quite successful. But despite her seemingly carefree personality, Sophia harbored a dream of her own. She did not want to continue running a meat stall. She wanted to open a butcher shop!And she had worked hard all this time to make that dream come true.Finally, after saving enough money, Sophia was able to pursue her dream. She spent money and secured a shop nearby.
At first, Serena had imagined countless reactions that Liam might have upon receiving the Lokki Mercy record.Whether it was surprise, happiness, shock, or even sadness.In her mind, Liam would surely be deeply moved.However, Serena never expected that upon seeing the Lokki Mercy record, Liam would remain so calm, with no reaction at all.It was as if, to Liam, the Lokki Mercy record was something trivial, something that no longer mattered.This left Serena feeling an immense sadness.Her sadness did not stem from Liam no longer liking Lokki Mercy.What truly made Serena sad was that the Liam before her now felt like a complete stranger.She suddenly felt that Liam was no longer the familiar Liam she once knew!And the distance between them had grown further and further apart!Although Serena knew very well that once they divorced, there was no longer any connection between them, she was clear-headed and rational about this fact. But when everything unfolded before her eyes,
Upon hearing Liam's words, Serena's body trembled. She quickly snapped out of her daze. "Wait a moment, I'll get it for you..."With that, she hurriedly turned and rushed into the room, holding a box, and quickly ran back out."Here!"Serena handed the box to Liam.At that moment, Serena did not even realize that a faint trace of anticipation showed on her face."A record of Lokki Mercy?"Liam paused for a moment as he looked at the contents of the box."Yes! Didn't you used to love Lokki Mercy's opera?" Serena nodded. "This is the last performance record of Lokki Mercy's Peking opera, A Dream in the Garden. It's a rare, limited-edition record, and there might only be this one left in existence.""I had planned to give you this record a long time ago, but I kept forgetting..."She stared intently at Liam.It seemed like she was waiting for something.Liam had always been fond of traditional music rather than popular tunes, and he especially loved Peking opera, with Lokki Mer
"Voices?"Hearing this, the male clerk was momentarily stunned. He replied in confusion, "What voices? I didn't hear anything.""Well, maybe I just misheard it?" The female clerk furrowed her brow.When the truck crashed, they had not fully understood what had happened before they felt a massive impact. In panic, they hid behind the bar and did not come out for a long time. At one point, both of them, so terrified that they had lost all courage, did not even dare to lift their heads to look outside.The male clerk kept his hands on his head, huddled in the corner.The female clerk, on the other hand, was somewhat calmer and collected.It was for this reason that when she crouched behind the bar, she always felt as though there were voices coming from the front.However, since the male clerk did not hear anything, it was likely just a hallucination caused by her extreme nervousness."Forget it. Let's just do what the boss said and call the police."With that, the female clerk s
She lifted her head, a hint of stubbornness flashing in her eyes. "No matter what Lucy thinks, my man cannot be lazy and useless!"But the next moment, Serena seemed to think of something. She looked up at Liam and asked, "Can you accompany me to Faroe Garden today?""Back to Faroe Garden?" Liam was stunned for a moment. He looked at Serena and asked in confusion, "Why are we going back to Faroe Garden now?""Don't we need to deal with this situation?" Liam pointed to the mess at the entrance of the cafe and asked, puzzled."I forgot last time, there's something at Faroe Garden that I meant to give you!"Serena turned around and looked behind her. Due to the intense collision earlier, the staff had been hiding, but now they were cautiously peeking out. "As for the cafe situation, let the staff call the police to handle it...""Then..."Upon hearing this, Liam squinted his eyes. "Let's go."One reason was that he really didn't have anything else to do right now.As for the acti
Liam was not clear about the thoughts in Serena's heart.After hearing Serena's words, he did not say much, because Liam knew that whatever he said, Serena probably wouldn't believe him."Who could have thought that the accident would happen so quickly…"However, from the very beginning, Serena probably did not expect a response from Liam.After speaking, she turned her head and looked at the mess ahead. Her gaze lingered for a moment on the bodies of the Monochrome Duo Wraiths, before she gently sighed.Even now, she still believed that the reason she and Liam had survived was simply because of good luck.However...After experiencing the terror of life and death, especially the feeling when she thought she and Liam had died together, Serena was ultimately affected.Suddenly, she remembered the scene earlier, when Liam had held her tightly in his arms."You..." Serena suddenly lifted her head, an impulse driving her to look at Liam and ask, "What happened with that young lady