Linda's face lacked a smile, instead revealing a flicker of pain and resentment in her eyes. Cordelia's heart sank as she hurriedly took Linda's hand, sensing a slight tremor and icy coldness. "Linda—""I-I want to report it to the police so badly!" Linda's eyes turned red as she harshly bit her lip. "I've been thinking these days, if those two people hadn't taken Pammy away, I wouldn't have lost my daughter for 20 years!""But... But try to see the positive side!" Cordelia tried to console her. "If it weren't for them rescuing Pammy, she would have died in that shipwreck! And over all these years, that couple has treated her as their own daughter, loving her just like their own...""But they're still to blame—completely at fault!" Linda snarled.Her depression sometimes made it difficult for her to control her emotions. The slightest thing would consume her thoughts and amplify her negative feelings. What others saw as a minor issue became a mountainous burden for her, suffocati
After Mollie's grand introduction of Gia, Lina noticed a hidden panic in Gia's eyes when their gazes met. Lina maintained a calm smile, knowing that Gia must be feeling uneasy about being assigned to the Thompson Group for her internship."Alright, everyone, take the time to get acquainted with your new colleague today. Let's work together and contribute to the company's success!" Mollie gave Gia a suggestive look, indicating the well-prepared excellent spot for her.Gia approached hesitantly, feeling an unsettling gaze that made her uncomfortable.During lunch break…Gia quickly entered Mollie's office, closed the blinds, and shut the door tightly."What's the matter?" Mollie thought Gia came to bring her a gift, crossing her arms and smiling. "We're family, no need to be formal! Even though I'm your distant aunt, we're both Chapmans. It's natural for me to help you! By the way, what did you bring me as a gift?"Gia stood there empty-handed, taken aback.Mollie's expression shi
Mollie's chuckle resonated lightly as she spoke. "So, I've heard your boyfriend comes from a wealthy family? Well, if he isn't rich, you might as well break up with him! The Thompsons are newcomers to this city, but our big boss, Mr. Thompson, has strong connections with the four major families of Centrolis! Especially the Hamertons..."If you can win over one of the Hamerton heirs, you'll live a life of luxury forever!"Gia couldn't help but recall Zuko's intimidating face and his seemingly dangerous fists. She took a deep breath, forcing a smile, and replied, "I have a great relationship with my boyfriend, really..."Mollie scoffed, glancing at her. She didn't think Gia—a naive girl from a small town who had never seen the world—could handle it."Alright, get back to work! We'll discuss work-related matters and interpersonal relationships in the future.""Okay," Gia winced. "Thank you in advance, Aunt Mollie!"She quickly left, her heart pounding with annoyance and speechlessne
"Ms. Chapman, I overheard a rough summary of the situation at the entrance just now," Gia said innocently, flashing a harmless smile.However, a dark shadow cast over Lina's eyes.Mollie gave Gia a strange look, pushing her glasses and shooting her a sharp glance that seemed to say, "What's going on? Are you siding with an outsider?"Gia pretended not to understand and continued to plead for the two interns. "They just wanted to find Mr. Sam's design sketches to study and learn from. This thirst for knowledge is something we should all admire! Ms. Chapman, you shouldn't scold them indiscriminately and deduct their bonuses!"Her words dumbfounded Mollie.It was the first time she encountered someone taking the side of an outsider!After a moment of thought, Mollie realized that Gia was new and needed to win people's favor. These two struggling students became her primary targets.Although Mollie didn't particularly like them, she reluctantly held back for the sake of her niece. "
Lina was taken aback when she saw the tall and poised lawyer approaching her with a sunny smile. Her heart sank at the sight.Gia leaned against Jacob's shoulder, exuding both sweetness and a hint of arrogance.Taking a deep breath, Lina needed a moment to adjust to this sudden change."Hello," Jacob greeted her. "I'm Jacob Welsh. We've met before in Jangasas, and…"He paused, smiling gently. "Someone must have mentioned me to you, right?"Lina hesitated, forcing a smile. "Yes, I remember.""Any misunderstandings we had before are cleared up, right?""Huh?" Lina was once again taken aback, realizing that when she didn't know Zuko's identity, she had assumed Jacob, the handsome lawyer looking for him, was involved in some special profession. She had even assumed Jacob wanted to recruit Zuko.Lina couldn't help but giggle."Now that the masks are off, we can get to know each other again," Jacob said, standing tall and radiant.However, his "getting to know each other again" sur
"Jacob came for Gia today."He's actually Gia's boyfriend!"Is he being deceived? Gia must have ulterior motives for dating him!"You need to persuade him tactfully, don't let him fall deeper and lose himself. He'll be hurt badly!"Zuko?"Zuko snapped out of his daze and looked at Lina with a hint of complaint in his eyes.Lina waved her hand in front of him. "What's wrong?"He grabbed her hand and held it in his palm, caressing it, while he spoke with a hoarse and aggrieved voice. "You've been talking about Jacob all night long..."Lina was taken aback. "Huh?""Can we stop mentioning him now?""Zuko, you—""I can't believe you're still worried about him getting hurt. By constantly talking about another man in front of me, I'm the one who's hurt the most!"Lina widened her eyes in exasperation."Zuko!" She lightly punched him. "If he weren't your best friend, I wouldn't bother!"Zuko smiled and gently embraced her, his large hand mischievously trailing along her slender w
Someone slowly emerged from the shadows.Zuko was dumbfounded and stammered after a long time, "Ah... Uncle Nicholas?"Nicholas had his hands behind his back as he walked up to them, his eyes fixed on Zuko. Lina was still in the position of having her legs wrapped around Zuko's waist, her arms around his neck, and hanging onto him.Zuko could clearly sense… a killing intent from his Uncle Nicholas' gaze! He jolted and quickly put Lina down, flashing a wince at the older man."Um... Good evening, Uncle Nicholas. You're still awake? I've brought Lina back… Heh..."Nicholas looked stern, and his displeased gaze pierced through Zuko like needles.Although it was known that his daughter and this young man had been promised to each other since childhood—destined to be together sooner or later—and that it was good that they were close to each other, knowing his daughter was in a romantic relationship and actually seeing it with his own eyes were two completely different matters for a fa
Linda looked at her daughter, holding her breath nervously, almost whispering, "What... What did you call us?""Testing me, huh?" Lina held back her tears, wanting to lighten the somber atmosphere. She smiled and said, "Of course it's mom and dad! Mom, you don't still see me as a one-year-old, do you?"Linda stared blankly before tears suddenly streamed down her face."C-Can you call me one more time?"Lina's voice choked as she softly called out, "Mom.""I want to hear it again...""Mom!"Linda opened her arms and tightly embraced her daughter, crying heartbrokenly.Nicholas also sniffled, holding back his tears, and approached to embrace his wife and daughter."Alright, stop crying." He smiled through tears. "This is a happy moment! Lina will call us mom and dad from now on... We'll get to hear it every day!"Linda asked tearfully, "Nicholas, could it be that I've taken too much medication and started hallucinating?""Mom, the doctor said your dosage has already been halve