Renee fidgeted with her clothes and avoided eye contact with Lina, giving the impression that she had something difficult to express.After a long pause, Renee finally looked up and forced a smile. "My mom needs constant care.""Just that?" Lina sighed, concerned. "Renee, you need to consider this carefully. Taking care of your mom is important, but you shouldn't jeopardize your career for it.""Lina, she's my mom." Renee's eyes showed a hint of sadness. "Since her surgery, her health has been declining. She can't be away from me even for a moment. I have to take care of her!""Is her condition serious?"Renee shook her head.Lina felt puzzled. She remembered Lena mentioning Kaitlyn and describing her as healthy, not someone seriously ill like Renee implied.Lina considered that different people might perceive illness severity differently, leading to this discrepancy.She composed herself and continued to advise, "Renee, don't you have nurses and caregivers at home? They can ta
Renee held Lina's hand earnestly and said, "Lina, I apologize for not working on those new projects with you."Lina smiled and replied, "No need to be so formal with me."She had planned to tell Renee about the completed engineering drawings and ask for help with cost calculations, but she stopped herself.After all, Renee had already resigned and was no longer part of the Thompson Group. The information about the sketches and cost calculations was considered confidential. Even though Lina trusted Renee, she wanted to establish a clear boundary on such matters.-When Renee returned home, she saw Kaitlyn sitting motionless on the sofa. It saddened her.Ever since Kaitlyn returned from the hospital, she had developed a habit of sitting like this, often wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat or pulling the hood up on her sweatshirt.Renee didn't understand what had happened. Her mother used to be affectionate and loved hugging her. Even as Renee grew older, their bond remained strong. How
"Oh, it's nothing," Kaitlyn replied, lowering her head briefly before looking up with a soft smile. "Renee, I haven't been feeling very comfortable after my surgery, so I prefer not to be touched... Can you understand?""Mom?" Renee's eyes widened. "Where are you feeling uncomfortable? I can ask Lina and Zuko to help...""No need."Kaitlyn grabbed her, and Renee was taken aback, noticing that her mother's hand didn't feel as hard as before.Kaitlyn had always been sick, weak, and frail, making her hands feel like dry twigs. But now..."Renee, I have something to tell you."Renee refocused and looked at her mother attentively."What kind of person is Lena?""Why are you suddenly asking about this?""Just asking casually."Renee pondered for a moment and replied softly, "Is this about the incident where she blocked you from entering the study and argued with you?"Mom, you might have misunderstood her. She has a cold personality and prefers to keep her distance from strangers,
"Oh... yes," Renee chuckled softly. "We couldn't afford a computer before. This one was actually a gift from Lina.""Why haven't I seen it before?"Renee linked her arm with Kaitlyn's. "Mom, you were sick before, so you probably didn't pay attention to these things. Plus, I've always kept this computer in my office and rarely brought it home. It's because now that I've resigned...""I see." Kaitlyn fell silent for a moment, then looked at her with a smile. "Could I use it for a while?"Renee was a bit puzzled."Renee, actually... I want to learn some new things. I've been sick for so long, always depending on you. I feel really guilty. But now that my health is gradually improving, I have the energy to learn these things. Can you teach me how to use your computer to go online in case I get bored at home?""Of course!"This request from Kaitlyn was quite reasonable. Besides, Renee could not refuse any of Kaitlyn's requests."Renee, I can also start some small online business onc
This time, the "overtime" lasted until late into the night.Lina struggled to get up from the couch, picked up her scattered clothes from the floor, and felt sore all over her body."Let me help you."Zuko wrapped his arms around her from behind with a satisfied smile. Lina felt his warm chest and his heart beating right along hers against her bare back.She did not dare to let him help her. She quickly broke free and put on her clothes.Zuko smiled and got dressed as well. His hand instinctively reached into his pocket, but... there were no more cigarettes.He finally understood now what his father meant by the "cigarette money" he used to earn.Lina forced herself to finish reviewing the last bit of information, and then Zuko took her home.-The next day. They slept until almost 8:00 a.m., only to be awakened by their phones."Is it your phone?""It's yours...""Hmm?"They woke up, realizing that their phones were vibrating simultaneously.One was from Lina's secreta
Lina giggled and playfully tugged at his ear. "Doraemon doesn't seem to have ears, though?""I'm different." Zuko's eyes were smiling. "I'm Lina's exclusive Doraemon, the only one in the world! That's why I have ears.""What do you need ears for?"Zuko leaned closer, his nose nuzzling her small face, his voice husky. "To... obey your every command!"Lina's heart warmed, and she hugged him. With him by her side, she would no longer be afraid of anything.They entered the Thompson residence hand in hand. There seemed to be quite a few people in the living room.Before Zuko could even see who was there, he heard Toph's enthusiastic voice booming. "Hey, bro!"Zuko paused. "You're here as well?""Of course. Since you're accompanying your wife back to her family, can't I come to see my dearest Uncle Nicholas and Aunt Linda?"Toph was still the carefree young man he used to be. Their argument at the horse ranch seemed to have been quickly forgotten.Zuko felt relief and concern for
Zuko looked at Nicholas again. "By the way, Dad, my parents have a gift for you. It's a bottle of fine wine. It's in my car, and they nagged me to hand it to you. How about you come with us to my car?"Nicholas and Linda agreed with enthusiasm.As Zuko led them out of the living room, he exchanged a glance with Lina.She understood and continued chatting with Kaitlyn."Regarding what we were talking about earlier..." Kaitlyn stopped briefly, speaking in a hushed tone. "Lina, that girl Lena who lives in your house... she's frequently near the study area. She even had a disagreement with me about it recently. Does that not strike you as odd?""Lenny?""Mom!" Renee sounded a bit anxious. "What are you saying?""It's just a casual chat!" Kaitlyn chuckled. "I always think these things get out because of someone from within. Our own family wouldn't betray us, but you can't be sure about outsiders!""Mom!" Renee looked at her mom, then apologized to Lina. "Lina, my mom didn't mean it
A few days later, Lina presented a perfect Plan B. After the project and engineering departments' evaluation, they all praised it and wondered why she had not introduced that design earlier.Lina then took the design and a detailed proposal to the board of directors, effectively silencing any doubts.The board was quite favorable toward this new plan."Exactly, this is Ms. Thompson! She must have the ability to handle it!""Yes, this design aligns better with the standards of high-end residences, and we can even raise the price.""In terms of calculations, the profit margin is twice as much as the previous plan!"Lina's smile seemed a bit weary. She waved her hand to instruct the secretary to prepare for a press conference. This time, she intended to unveil this new plan first to prevent any potential plagiarism.Yet, when she got home and saw Zuko, guilt filled her heart. She hugged Zuko, hiding her face in his chest, and softly said, "I'm sorry, honey..."Zuko patted her head