Renee felt a bit anxious and wanted to take Toph with her. But suddenly, Zuko appeared from nowhere and beat her to it. He grabbed Toph's arm and turned him away from Renee."Toph—""Toph!" Zuko's voice drowned her out. "Uncle Frederic and Aunt Trinity are here too. We should go and greet them!"Toph readily agreed, completely oblivious to Renee's increasingly dark expression behind him.The butler smiled. "Ms. Renee, please come this way.""Can we wait a moment?""Are you waiting for Mr. Toph?" The butler remained composed. "I know Madam well. She never includes others when she wishes to have tea with someone."Renee froze and slowly released her grip on her dress, forced to follow the butler.-Cordelia's flower room was situated in a corner of Zen Residence—an all-glass structure that sparkled like a radiant pearl in the night. There were various exotic plants and flowers inside, trying to outshine each other. Cordelia was seated on a sofa, sipping tea, and a delicate pas
Cordelia understood everything, and nothing could escape her notice."This time, you should thank Arya." Cordelia spoke softly. "If it weren't for her timely intervention, it'd be hard to put an end to the situation should it escalate.""Is that so? Thank her?" Renee sneered. "Aunt Cordelia, you heard what she said, right? She claimed she mistakenly took my ring and put it in her own bag, only to forget about it. Why did you all buy what she said just because she's the Bayer heiress? Why didn't you consider the possibility that she and Lena conspired to stage this whole drama?"Cordelia was somewhat surprised. She had been under the impression her earlier hint was enough but did not expect Renee to be so inflexible.In retrospect, it seemed that Renee had placed all her resentment for losing her mother on Lena. She believed that Lena had triggered Kaitlyn's second personality, that Lena had driven Kaitlyn to jump off the cliff.In other words, Lena had indirectly killed her mother
"Renee, listen to me." Cordelia held onto the last glimmer of hope. "The past is already in the past. If you keep digging into it, you'll only become more miserable. And if Toph sees you suffering, do you think he'll feel any better?""Aunt Cordelia...""I'll arrange the best psychologist for you." Cordelia gently stroked Renee's hair. "You're just unwell, and I believe you will get better."Renee remained silent, the darkness in her eyes deepening.The butler lightly knocked on the door and walked over to hand Le Fari to Cordelia.Renee stiffened. When Toph tried to put the ring on her earlier, she pushed him away. She realized she had acted impulsively. This time, she decided to take the initiative and get the ring back."Aunt Cordelia, this...""There's no rush." Cordelia put up a hand with a gentle but firm gesture. She signaled to the butler, who immediately brought a jewelry box over.After Cordelia placed the ring inside, the butler locked the box."Toph mentioned that
"What are you talking about?" Lena laughed after a moment of pause.-Chris and Toph arrived at the hospital to find Lina half-leaning against the bedside. Zuko looked tense, but his joy was evident in his smile. Nicholas, Linda, Zephyr, Cordelia, Jesse, and Melissa were all present.Even Dave, who hardly ever skipped any classes, had skipped a very important class today.Everyone was filled with happy smiles.Toph was momentarily stunned, looking around. "W-What's going on?""Come over here, Toph!" Cordelia waved to him. "You're going to be an uncle!""What?" Toph was both surprised and delighted.Zuko handed him a test report—he had clutched it like a treasure for quite a while before Toph came to the hospital.There was an ultrasound image on it, but Toph could not make out what it was even after staring at it for a while. Below the image were various professional terms that he did not understand either.What he did understand was the last few words—Pregnant, 6 weeks.Len
Cordelia's gaze darkened instantly. Zephyr patted her shoulder and gave her a subtle glance."Your mom didn't sleep well last night, so I'm taking her back to rest first," Zephyr said softly. "Zuko, take care of Pammy.""Don't worry!""Nicholas, Linda, join us?" Zephyr smiled. "It's been a while since we've all gathered. Let's go to my place for a drink!"Nicholas and Linda readily agreed.Melissa gave Lina advice for quite some time before Jesse and Dave pulled her away. When leaving, she looked back with lingering worry."Mom, I'm fine." Lina smiled. "You and dad, though, need to take good care of yourselves. After all, you'll have to help me take care of the baby in the future!""Of course, of course!" Melissa regained her vigor.In reality, she hoped Lina would have more children. Having experienced the pains of childbirth herself, however, she did not want her daughter to go through it again, so it was a bit of a dilemma...Now that most people had left, the room fell qui
Lena was taken aback. She could not come up with an answer to the question, nor could she respond well."Chris... Renee isn't my enemy.""You're the one who isn't treating her like one!" Chris sighed in exasperation. "But what about her? She despises you to the core. She not only sees you as an enemy but as a nemesis!"Lena's fists clenched tightly at her side."I'm not trying to stir up trouble between you." Chris held her shoulders. "I'm just using my military experience to tell you that mutual sacrifices happen frequently on the battlefield. A bullet won't change its course because you're retreating, and an enemy won't spare you just because you're stepping back!"Your retreat will only make her more overbearing! Just because Pammy is in the middle doesn't mean you should be hesitant!"Lena was stunned. Chris' words struck a chord and made her see the depth of his concern.After a long silence, she smiled, her cheeks blushing like peach petals.Chris was entranced, as if her
Suddenly, Renee remembered what Melvin had said to her before his execution."Such a good opportunity to impersonate Pamela and gain the Thompson Group, but you didn't want it! You're as foolish as your mother! You both wretched women!"Renee's head throbbed abruptly, and she trembled slightly."Renee?" Toph looked at her with concern. "Are you feeling unwell?"His hand had not reached her when she moved away.Toph's hand hung awkwardly in the air, a bit embarrassed. It felt like a needle had pricked him, and a drop of blood seeped."Renee—"Before he could form his sentence, there was a knock on the door. Even before the person entered, their sweet voice could be heard."I hope I'm not late for such a happy occasion?"Arya walked in with a gift, heading straight for Lina as soon as she entered the room.Lina was pleasantly surprised. "Why did you come too?""Zuko told me!" Arya's eyes curved with a smile. "He's so eager to announce to the world with a megaphone that he's go
"Uh, well..." Arya felt sweat forming on her forehead, thinking she had caused trouble. "Why don't all of you visit my studio once Pammy's pregnancy stabilizes?"The awkward atmosphere didn't dissipate. Arya flushed in embarrassment. Besides comics and games, she really did not know much else.Lina sensed her discomfort and smiled. "Arya, I suddenly have a craving for milk tea. Could you help me get a cup?"It felt like amnesty was granted to Arya as she glanced at Lina gratefully, then hurriedly rushed out of the room.Toph lowered his head, his lips pressed into a thin line.Renee knew she was in the wrong but did not say anything and hastily walked out of the room."Renee!" Toph was taken aback. Even when he called her, there was no response. He quickly followed after her.Zuko did not manage to stop him in time.Lina tugged at his hand, both of them helpless."Forget it. Let them handle it themselves." Zuko sighed lightly. "Toph needs to grow up too.""Honey...""I know.