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
Lina smiled and asked, "Can you count the number of pillars in the model?"Linda was taken aback, but she decided to take the task seriously and started counting. However, the tiny size of the pillars on the model made it difficult to count them accurately."55, 56, 57..."Finally, after some time, Linda showed a relaxed smile and confidently said, "There are 82 pillars, right?""Correct! But that's only a part of the palace. The real palace has even more pillars," Lina said, pursing her lips. She then asked, "Now, can you count how many windows there are?"Linda looked troubled, as numbers had always made her nervous. She tried to negotiate with her daughter, saying, "Can we... not count anymore? I'll get a headache if we continue!"Lina smiled and replied, "No can do. But you did a great job just now, so I'll give you the promised reward!"Linda was stunned when she saw Lina taking out a small cookie and motioning for her to open her mouth. Like a child, Linda obediently opene
Linda quickly realized that someone must have treated her daughter with such gentle care, and she suspected it was her adoptive mother.Conflicting emotions welled up within Linda, a mixture of gratitude and a secret hope that the family had been unkind to Lina. Linda wanted her daughter to come back to her without hesitation, to call her "mom" without reservation.Linda took a deep breath, trembling with fear at her own dark thoughts. She struggled to speak, her voice trembling. "Pammy… You should go now... I need to rest."Lina froze momentarily, then carefully helped Linda onto the bed, tucking her in and replacing her slippers with comfortable silk ones. She smiled through teary eyes and gently reminded her, "I'll be back when it's time for your medicine! And I'll give you a special reward if you get the window count right!"With a teary smile, Linda asked, her voice choked with emotion, "Will I really get better?""Dr. Ivy said you will, without a doubt.""Pammy..." Linda re
At dusk, Zuko and Lina strolled hand in hand along the beach, immersed in the golden afterglow of the sunset. Seagulls soared above, and a gentle breeze swept through, creating a humid yet cool atmosphere.Their footsteps left two rows of imprints on the sandy beach.Zuko occasionally turned his head with a smile on his face. It reminded him of the times when he held Pammy's hand as they played on the beach during their youth. Pammy's footprints were unsteady back then, as she had just learned to walk."I often came to this beach when you were missing," he said, his voice deep with a hint of melancholy. "They said you died in the sea accident, but I didn't believe it. I thought... you turned into a mermaid princess."Lina was taken aback, turning to look at him. Although he smiled, a trace of sadness lingered in his eyes. Every time he embraced her, he held on tightly as if afraid she would slip away again."They said Uncle Nicholas wants you to join the film studio project?" Zuko