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.
Toph chased Renee to the entrance of the hospital.Renee walked with the grace of the wind, ignoring him like he didn't exist. He could have easily caught up with her in a few steps, but every time he tried, she pushed him away.The current Renee treated Toph as a stranger. His heart grew colder bit by bit.He stopped in his tracks, calling out with a hint of grievance, "Renee! What's gotten into you?"Renee also stopped but did not turn around.Toph had seen this back view countless times—petite and delicate—making him feel a strong urge to protect her. Today, this back view was oddly indifferent. There were only a few steps between them, yet it felt like a vast chasm he could not bridge."Renee, you—"Renee turned slightly. "Do you have something else to say?" Toph circled around to stand before her, his gaze anxious. "Do you have to misunderstand me like this? I... I already sent you messages. I told you I wanted to draw comics and showed Ari my work. Why are you upset agai
"Only Morpheus and Sephy aren't like that. They respect and understand me. Sephy told me once, 'One's appearance doesn't indicate anything. A clean heart is what truly matters!'"Rebecca chuckled dismissively."You're a psychologist, yet you fail to grasp this," Wynn said coldly. "Actually, I pity you. You could have stepped out, yet you insist on dwelling on the trivialities."Morpheus has psychological barriers, a consequence of returning from the battlefield. No one has cured his PTSD except Sephy... It shows that a true psychologist is never just a title."What truly heals everything is love!"-One particular morning a year later, sunlight streamed through sheer cream curtains onto the floor.Persephone was sound asleep when she suddenly felt something pressing down on her... Then, Morpheus' strong arms wrapped around her slender waist. She drowsily opened her eyes to find him sealing her lips with heated kisses.Over the year, his kissing skills had improved, and Persepho
With Morpheus' involvement, the police didn't slack off and quickly found Rebecca.That day, Rebecca was preparing to escape from a small port. The boat she had found was an illegally operating one.As she was about to board, piercing sirens sounded nearby.The boat owner, enraged upon hearing the sirens, grabbed Rebecca by her hair and pushed her into the water.Rebecca screamed for help, but he roared, "I didn't expect you to be sent by the cops!""I'm not..." Rebecca choked on water. "Sir, let's leave now. Your boat is fast. As long as we reach the open sea, no one will catch you!""Dream on!" The boat owner wanted to strangle her. "Do you not understand? These sirens are from the royal guards! Who did you bitch provoke?"Rebecca was dumbfounded. Being a foreigner, she naturally didn't understand the local affairs in the Southeast Aciatic region.The police and royal guards quickly caught up, armed, and surrounded them.Rebecca turned pale and trembled all over, her gaze gr
"You had no choice on the battlefield."Persephone looked at him with her crystal eyes. There was a magical power in them. Even if a devil was tearing him apart, her eyes would always bring him back to light.She smiled and caressed his cheek. "Though you killed your father, you saved the country.""Do you really… think so?"She nodded. "You're not at fault. He was the one who made a mistake. You were just fulfilling your job as a general to protect the country."But I also understand that he's your father who brought you up, after all. You guys must have had happy days before that happened, right?"Morpheus held his head low in silence."You did well as the protector of the country," she said softly. "But as a son, you can secretly pay homage to him."Persephone held his hand. "Reconcile with your father, Morpheus. You'll also reconcile with yourself by doing that, okay?"He was stunned for a long time and felt a lump in his throat.-Morpheus stayed with Persephone in the
"No way!" Christopher smirked, glancing at Morpheus. "To him, you're his only princess! I just got lucky for the princess carry, thanks to you!""Yeah, at least you're self-aware!" Persephone nodded, rubbing her chin."We've known each other for so long! What kind of person do you think I am?" Christopher laughed. "I can be a bit shameless at times, but..."But upon learning that the one she loved was the unbeatable god of war, he willingly stepped back, offering his blessings with a smile."Okay, okay. You two stop crowding around me!" Christopher waved his hand. "Sephy needs more rest, and I'd like to get some more sleep, too! Once we heal, let's go out and have some fun together!""You're still thinking about fun?" Morpheus' deep voice intervened with a wry smile. "With the factory explosion incident, the royal family is furious and will thoroughly investigate it. Many people will probably be coming to talk to you both in the next few days. After all, you two are the most direc
"Let's get out first!""Hey, wait..." Persephone pointed to the other side.In moments of life and death, it wasn't appropriate to laugh, but Morpheus still chuckled. The young Prince Christopher was sprawled on the floor in a very ridiculous pose, and they almost forgot about him!"Don't worry," Morpheus whispered. "I won't let anything happen to him."He had Persephone cling to his back and then carried Christopher.Christopher was a tall fellow, so it took some effort to carry them both to a safe place.Fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars rushed in. Their sirens pierced the sky, startling a flock of birds.The fire was soon extinguished, and Persephone and Christopher received timely treatment. Luckily, their burns weren't too severe, and even more fortunately, their faces were unharmed.When Christopher woke up, he felt bandages wrapped around his head, and his skin had a burning sensation. His heart sank, and he was almost on the verge of tears."Tell me the truth! A
There was fire everywhere. Flames rushed toward Persephone like menacing dragons. Her consciousness grew increasingly blurred, but the searing pain coursing through her body became clearer. She struggled to get up, the agony almost unbearable.Despite several attempts, it was futile...Something was pinning her feet down, and stones kept falling on her. She couldn't even muster a shout.Many images flashed through her mind in that fleeting moment, each frame featuring Morpheus' face…She remembered the times they had spent together in Flinge, how he had initially distanced himself from her, then later had exerted every effort to protect her. She recalled how he would gently ruffle her hair and call her "silly goose"..."Morpheus, I'm afraid I might have to go first..."The fire grew fiercer, explosions resonated continuously, and she could no longer hold on.Christopher, who was nearby, wasn't any better.Amidst the roaring flames, he couldn't see anything clearly, only pulling
"No need, you can go back first." Morpheus glanced at him. "I'll wait here for her a little longer.""Prince Christopher wouldn't do anything to Ms. Hamerton...""Alfred, what are you thinking?" Morpheus couldn't help but chuckle. "I know exactly what Christopher is like, but I just want to wait here for Sephy. Christopher mentioned that she'd specifically designed these fireworks for me. Hah! I'm the useless one. I don't even dare to go inside and take a look.""Sir, don't say that.""If I wait here, will it count as accompanying her in her efforts?"Alfred nodded.Morpheus smiled and sent Alfred back. He continued waiting under the tree.The air in Southeast Aciatic was hot and humid. The shade of the banyan tree offered some relief, but it couldn't completely dispel the oppressive heat.Morpheus took a deep breath, about to move elsewhere, when he glimpsed a suspicious figure swiftly darting through the factory's side gate.The security at the side gate was lax, making it e
Christopher struggled to swallow the bite of the sandwich in his mouth for what seemed like ages. He gazed at Persephone, his mind wandering back…He didn't just know Morpheus. He had been close since childhood to the children of the two prominent military families in Southeast Aciatic.Compared to the Harrises, he preferred visiting the Ortons, especially when he got to spend time with Morpheus. He considered Morpheus a friend, a brother even, having engaged in countless mischief together, much to their parents' dismay.In his memory, Morpheus was someone who smiled a lot, radiating warmth and brightness like the Southeast Aciatic sun when he did.However, from the moment Kaiden betrayed the country, Morpheus never smiled again, gradually growing distant from Christopher as well.It wasn't until that evening at the gates of the palace that Christopher felt like it had been a lifetime."I... I don't know him." Christopher forced a smile. "Where would I have met your boyfriend!"
Morpheus wasn't just an ordinary person!Christopher wholeheartedly accepted his defeat to Morpheus."Then... I'd like to invite you to come over to my place for a while as a friend. That's fine, right?"-A few days later, Persephone finally ran into Christopher, who had been missing in action for days, in the classroom."Hey, you finally showed up!" She dashed over, plopping down in the seat beside him and handing him breakfast. "You haven't eaten, right? Let's eat together!"Usually, Christopher would readily accept, but he waved his hands now. "No, no, no!""What's wrong?" Persephone widened her eyes. "This breakfast isn't poisoned!"Christopher awkwardly smiled. "You have a boyfriend, so maybe... we should keep some distance."Persephone burst into laughter. Then she remarked, "Strange... Morpheus was right!""Uh, what?""My boyfriend!" She chuckled. "He made this breakfast. I asked if he could also make a portion for you, and he said sure, just worried you wouldn't tak