"Mr. Hamertons, s-stop fighting!"No… Don't... don't hit me..."I promise both of you will have a set of lipsticks today. No one will leave empty-handed!"-Later, Toph and Chris walked out of DL Mall, satisfied and carrying shopping bags. They found a food truck by the roadside, ordered a table full of snacks and two packs of beer, and indulged themselves thoroughly.The next day, Toph confidently arrived at the Thompson residence with the cosmetics in hand. Coincidentally, Renee opened the door and could not help the delight when she saw what he was holding."What do you think?" Toph flicked his hair and smirked. "Do you like it?"Renee nodded and stepped forward to hug him after a moment, tears trickling down her face."Hey, don't cry!" Toph was taken aback. "I bought this for you hoping to make you happy, not to make you sad."Renee smiled through her tears. She was not sad—she was just too touched, to the point she felt it was all unreal.Toph smiled and took out the lip
Wendy did not understand what happened, but hearing Renee's question made her feel that something was amiss. Hence, she did not say more.After hanging up, Renee was even more convinced that Arya had taught Toph. Otherwise, why would he suddenly buy her a set of lipsticks? How would he know about her lack of security? How would he talk about keeping a distance from other girls?"It must be Arya..." Renee clenched her phone tightly, her knuckles turning white and her hand trembling slightly.They must have met, and Arya must have told Toph more things. Her words must really be influential since he remembered them so well!A lump formed in Renee's chest, and tears welled up in her eyes. She turned to look at the cosmetics that Toph had sent. Those neatly arranged lipsticks in their box seemed like mocking crimson eyes, ridiculing her insecurity and her shameful background.The last shred of security she held onto was completely shattered."Ah!" A headache struck Renee. She knocked
"How about using me as a practice client?" When Chris said this, his ears turned red.He had seen how Jacquelin from the Thompson Group's sales department handled clients. Although he was disdainful of women like her, if Lena could treat him the same way... he could laugh himself awake just by imagining that.Lena was taken aback, then asked softly, "This... can also be practiced?""Well, of course!" Chris struggled to explain, "Sales is all about techniques and practice. Your skills are limited right now, and you haven't practiced enough. That's why you haven't achieved any results!"Lenny." He appealed to her emotionally. "Even if you don't think about yourself, think about your Lina. Even though she has a high position in the company, there are so many eyes on her in the boardroom. She can't afford to make any mistakes!"If people find out that the person she recommended isn't performing, those old men in the boardroom will surely make a big deal out of it. Isn't this a perfect
"Chris, you—"Lena turned, ready to speak, but a passionate kiss abruptly silenced her.She stood still, her thoughts empty, as an electric feeling surged through her.Chris swiftly pulled her close, savoring her taste and the softness in his arms.This apartment had long been part of his plan. This kiss, too, had been carefully arranged.Initially, he aimed to spend more time with Lena. Eventually, this kiss would naturally unfold here.But when Lena pushed him onto the carpet earlier, his desire ignited. Suppressing it had gone on too long. Holding back might lead to complications.Thus, he chose to take the leap instead...Chris kissed Lena with fervor, lacking finesse, and Lena even found it slightly painful. However, she responded to his kisses despite her initial resistance. Her hands crept onto his broad shoulders, involuntarily rubbing them. She was like a young and wild creature letting loose in the depths of Chris' heart."Lenny..." He reluctantly parted from her lip
Lena and Jade were briefly shocked. They noticed Jacquelin approaching from a short distance, swaying her hips as she walked. Her perfume's scent reached them even before she arrived.Lena furrowed her brow as she found the fragrance overwhelmingly pungent."A pheasant should add a few more feathers to become a peacock!" Jacquelin taunted, glancing at Lena. "Right, Lena?"Lena glanced at her coldly but did not say anything.Jade immediately chimed in. "Jacquelin, how are the house sales going? It seems like you haven't met your target for this month yet.""Ms. Neale, you—""Do you dare to say that I've set too high a target for you each month?" Jade smiled. "You know well how you've been achieving them each month. Relying solely on connections won't take you far."Jacquelin rolled her eyes dramatically. The board member from the Thompson Group was several ranks above Jade, but she was currently under Jade's jurisdiction. Moreover, her relationship with that board member was not
Jade's expression was serious. "Ms. Thompson, let's leave aside the fact that the Thompson Group isn't a dictatorship. Your authority doesn't extend to the point of dismissing an employee arbitrarily!"Renee stared at Jade, her fists clenched and trembling. She felt nervous about this visit, but Jacquelin had been adamant that she, as a shareholder of the Thompson Group and the boss' niece, had limitless power.What's more, Renee was eager to kick out Lena. Plus, the fact that Lina wasn't at the company today presented a rare chance.However, she hadn't anticipated the typically quiet Jade would become her greatest obstacle.Jacquelin scoffed. "Ms. Neale, you've been with the company for a long time. Must you really feign oblivion? Ms. Renee is Mr. Thompson's niece. Are you not heeding her words?""The Thompson Group is a modern company, not a family workshop. No matter the situation, no individual can make decisions on their own." Jade glanced at Jacquelin. "Besides, is this your
"Me!" Jacquelin eagerly handed over her business card. "Ms. Bayer, I'm a top-tier sales representative here. I'm very familiar with all the units and layouts of these houses. I also have discounts that I can offer you, guaranteed satisfaction!"Jade ignored Jacquelin after a glance at her and turned to attend to other matters.Renee stood to the side, clutching her bag tightly with eyes fixed on Arya and Lena.She saw that while Arya was smiling at Jacquelin, she was holding Lena's hand the whole time. Then, she noticed how Arya was ordering around Jacquelin.Arya would ask for a certain brand of mineral water one moment and then request another brand of tissue the next, even though these items were not available in the sales center.Jacquelin hurried out to buy them just to please Arya. As she passed by Renee, it was as if she had not seen her.Renee bit her lip, the knot in her chest tightening and making breathing difficult."Ms. Bayer..." Lena looked at Arya and hesitated to
"Arya Comics" had found its home and was about to officially open for business. Arya had taken on all the roles herself, from author and editor to handling administrative and financial tasks, keeping herself incredibly busy.Graham, who was overseas, wanted to help but could not. Thus, he called the Hamerton brothers, asking them to take care of her.Zuko was already overwhelmed managing the Hamerton Group, so the responsibility naturally fell on Toph, who had relatively little to do.The tiny kittens grew up slowly, and Arya found them a new home in her studio. The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled her studio, mingling with the scent of her computer and drawing board. She could hear the distant waves and see a picturesque view through the French windows.When Toph first visited the studio, this was the scene that captivated him. His heart felt incomplete, like a puzzle missing a piece, and that missing piece was the kind of life he had longed for."Arya, your place is reall