"Mom, dad, Dave, I'm really sorry for making you worry!" Lina's emotions got the best of her, making her talkative. To avoid scaring them, she decided to keep the part about being abducted onto the ship to herself."Actually, these past few days... um, I've been with Zuko the whole time! We just arrived in Southeast Aciatic today.""Sis, did you go to that palace again?" Dave said with envy. "I saw the photos from your study tour last time. It looked so beautiful there!""I'll take you for a visit there when you get into university!" Zuko took the phone and chuckled softly.Dave cheered excitedly on the other end.Upon hearing Zuko's voice, Jesse and Melissa felt more relieved, knowing that Lina was with him.Melissa said, on the verge of tears and laughter, "Lina, how have you been lately? I've had a bad feeling these days and felt anxious for no reason...""Mom, you should take care of your health." Lina spoke gently. "Don't overwork yourself, whether at home or in the store.
"Oh, it's nothing, really!" Melissa feigned nonchalance. "I was just concerned that it might be a waste of time for you to call me when you're busy with your studies now!""Mom...""It's important for you to focus on your studies now that you have good resources, you know?" Melissa advised. "Your father is taking care of the school procedures here, and you'll be transferred to Centrolis soon!""Even if I'm busy, it won't stop me from contacting you!" Lina had a strange feeling in her heart. "Mom, are you hiding something from me?"Melissa was taken aback but adamantly denied it.No matter how much Lina asked, her mother insisted that everything was fine and maintained a facade of normalcy.However, certain parts of Melissa's body were starting to ache faintly. Sweat coated the tip of her nose, and her face grew slightly pale.Jesse noticed and quickly interrupted, "Lina, focus on your own matters! Hehe... Your mom and I are playing poker together, so I'll be joining her for a fe
When Lina finished changing clothes, she walked out of the room hand in hand with Zuko. However, before leaving, she couldn't resist looking around.There stood Linda, motionless in that spot.Lina observed her thin figure, hunched over like an old lady as if a gust of wind could make her collapse. The anticipation in her eyes had faded, replaced by a sense of emptiness.An indescribable sadness filled Lina's heart.Linda and Nicholas were two unfamiliar names to her, but they were the two closest people to her in this world.Taking a deep breath, Lina lowered her gaze and remained silent. Zuko understood her emotions and gently embraced her, kissing her forehead tenderly."Everything will be fine," he whispered. "It's not as difficult as it seems... They love you very much and have been searching for you for 20 years.""I know." Lina held his hand. Despite the tropical climate of Southeast Aciatic, her palms felt ice-cold."Zuko, I... I need time.""Mm, I understand." He look
Lina was taken aback. "What?""The brand manager of LC Skincare specifically retrieved the store surveillance footage," Carter explained. "The footage showed that two employees colluded and placed the fake face cream on the counter with markings on the packaging. The cream didn't sell until your classmate, Chapman, walked into the duty-free shop and specifically asked for it. That's when they sold it to her."And the substance in the face cream is actually a type of drug. It's added after being highly refined, causing a chemical reaction. Just a small amount is enough to make the skin ulcerate and never recover."Zuko furrowed his brow. "Uncle Carter, have you found out who those two people are?""Of course," Carter smiled. "Those two individuals were captured during the police operation to apprehend Justin."Zuko and Lina were both stunned."They... are Justin's henchmen?""That's correct.""So you mean..." Lina's expression changed slightly. "Gia not only has a connection wit
"Wait!" Lina's small hand pushed against Zuko's sturdy chest, her clever eyes blinking as she spoke softly. "Isn't His Majesty known for being hospitable? It doesn't make sense that we're given such a small room. Besides, the palace is so big—""His Majesty said there's only this room!" Zuko replied seriously. "Lina, it's not good to bother His Majesty over such a trivial matter…"He coughed lightly and smirked. "Let's make do with it tonight, okay?""But..." Before Lina could argue further, her lips were sealed by Zuko's eager kiss.It had been a long time since he had kissed her like this...Zuko held her tightly, content as if he had obtained the whole world. His hand gently traced along her delicate back, lightly resting on her soft nape as if caressing a kitten's neck. His other hand around her waist gradually gained a mind of its own.Lina's heart raced, feeling both confused and infatuated. She didn't know what to do next...Zuko began to take advantage of the situation,
Remus struggled to hold back his laughter, his stomach hurting, as he maintained a serious expression while addressing Zuko. "What do you mean, my lord? You and Ms. Lina aren't married yet. How could you stay together? The palace has strict rules, and maintaining distance between men and women is of utmost importance. Surely, you haven't forgotten that, sir?"Zuko's eyebrows furrowed, his tone serious. "Then... where am I supposed to stay?""At the Splendor Pavilion.""What!?" Zuko's surprise was evident, his reaction almost causing him to jump up.When one examined the map, the palace appeared as a square, with Pearl Spring in the top-left corner and the Splendor Pavilion in the bottom-right corner. It seemed deliberate, a clear attempt to separate them.Zuko took a few deep breaths, his gaze fixed on Remus. "Regardless of the strict rules, must you keep us so far apart?"Remus smiled quietly, observing the rare display of vulnerability from the usually composed Zuko. The young
Lina nodded, her smile courteous. Many things were hard for her to get used to when she first arrived at this home.Still, Nicholas and Linda assured her that everything would be adjusted to her liking in the Thompson residence. They even sent the staff who usually served them to attend to her needs. It brought tears to Lina's eyes. It felt like she had saved the world in her past life, meeting her adoptive parents, who treated her as their own, and her biological parents, who never stopped searching for her.And then there was Zuko, her perfect boyfriend and future husband. Warmth filled Lina as she smiled, her bright future shining in her doe eyes."Is there anything you need, miss?" Aunt Evelyn asked.Lina snapped back to reality and shook her head. "Not at the moment.""Alright, then we'll leave you be." Aunt Evelyn smiled. "Just let us know if you need anything at all.""Okay."Aunt Evelyn turned and waved, the others going about their own tasks. Uncle Jay and Ian headed
Linda did not spill the bottle intentionally—it was a rush of emotions she couldn't control. It wasn't that she didn't want to take the medicine, but the sight of the bottle reminded her of her illness. The feeling of dizziness and burning in her stomach after taking the medicine was unbearable. She preferred not to take it at all.With her eyes shut and a frown on her face, Linda's pale complexion lacked color. In the midst of this, she heard some commotion at the door. Lifting her head to glance, she lazily flipped over, not bothering to ask who it was.However, the door swung open, and a sweet singing voice accompanied the entry of a silly bear walking in a wobbly manner. The balcony was filled with singing and sunlight, and the bear's adorable and comical dance brought joy to the scene. As the dance came to an end, the bear raised its arms over its head, forming a heart shape.Linda couldn't help but burst into laughter. The bear head was then removed, revealing Lina, who was sw