Sasha smirked, watching Lina leave before making her way to the hospital's rear entrance. The area was deserted. She calmly wore her mask and arrived punctually for her meeting with Kasey.The cafe adjacent to the hospital was tranquil, with Kasey already seated by a window. Spotting Sasha, she waved enthusiastically.Sunlight poured through the window, casting an unusual gleam on Sasha's golden mask, which seemed to dazzle Kasey."Sasha..." Kasey began hesitantly, "When can we do the compatibility test?"Sasha leaned back with a faint smile. Behind her mask, her eyes sparkled with a chilly shrewdness. "The timing for the test is up to you.""You...""I've mentioned it before. I need to see the money first. Otherwise, I have no reason to help a child who isn't connected to me in any way.""Sasha!" Kasey's emotions started to show. "How can you say Nala has no connection to you? She's Elijah's daughter!"Sasha grinned. "But I don't carry the Chriss last name."Kasey was stunned
"I came here to sign the consent form for the compatibility test. Since I'm already here, I might as well drop by to see this little one!"Elijah turned to Nala and said, "Nala, this is—"Before he could introduce her, Nala shrank back, though her gaze remained fixed on Sasha's face. She said softly, timidly, "Hello, aunt."Elijah and Kasey were surprised. "What did you say?" they asked in unison.Nala lowered her head and fell silent.Sasha smiled and said, "Didn't you both hear? She called me her aunt.""But... it's your first time meeting, right?" Elijah's eyes showed a hint of suspicion. The situation felt increasingly strange, tying a knot in his heart.Kasey, however, seemed unfazed.Sasha looked at the two of them and asked, "What's with these expressions?""It's a bit unexpected," Elijah said calmly. "Nala is usually shy, especially with someone wearing a mask whose true face she can't see. Normally, she wouldn't initiate a greeting, except for before..."Elijah stopp
Nala stuttered and couldn't explain clearly; she simply kept crying. "She's my aunt, and she's a bit fierce," she finally managed to say.Elijah embraced his daughter, gently patting her back. "You're doing well, Nala. Take your time. How was she tough with you?"But, no matter how they probed, Nala couldn't express the full story. She was bewildered. Why did Lena, who was usually gentle and kind, suddenly change and look at her angrily? Did Lena dislike her now because she was sick?Nala burst into tears, even coughing due to her weakened condition. Elijah swiftly carried her back to her room. Doctors and nurses didn't delay, immediately examining her.Kasey stood disoriented outside, leaning against the wall. She wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn't come.After a while, Elijah emerged. He looked at her with a hint of pity. He patted her shoulder, and they exchanged glances before tightly embracing each other."Elijah, did I do something wrong?""No," Elijah reassured her.He
"What's wrong?" Lina looked at her in confusion and asked, "Did you go to the hospital that day?""I did," Lena replied softly.She had gone to the hospital but had no memory of meeting Lina. Moreover, she hadn't visited Nala's ward that day. She knew Nala was now wary of her and didn't want to add to the girl's stress while she was unwell.Lena frowned. Could there be a misunderstanding?Just then, Chris returned home with a bag of fresh fruits, all of which Lena loved. Zuko followed behind him."You both came just in time!" Chris smiled. "Stay for lunch. I've improved my cooking skills!""Your cooking was already great," Lina teased. "That's why Lenny gained some weight."Lena instinctively glanced at her waistline.Chris smiled and took the groceries into the kitchen. He prepared a table full of dishes and soup in no time, impressing Lina.If Zuko had prepared this spread, it would have taken forever, and the kitchen would be a mess afterward. Plus, they wouldn't even be su
Elijah stood there, stunned, his mind momentarily blank."Mr. Chriss? Mr. Chriss! Are you there?" The voice on the other end of the line snapped Elijah back to reality, and he frowned in confusion."May I ask... what was the reason for this prisoner's suicide?" he asked."That's currently under investigation," the other party said. "As far as we know, Ms. Mosley had been in a bad emotional state since entering prison, facing disdain from her family. Perhaps this led to her thoughts of despair."Elijah's puzzlement deepened. If she had been struggling emotionally, why did she choose to end her life just before his visit? Was it merely a coincidence?"Mr. Chriss, due to this reason, we have to cancel your prison visit this time.""Alright, I understand," Elijah replied, his thoughts weighed down by the news.After a brief silence, he instructed his subordinate, "Please arrange for Sasha to undergo the bone marrow compatibility test immediately. Remember what I said."His subordin
Zachary gazed at her, his disappointment evident in his expression."Zachary, I need one more favor," Sasha stated, disregarding his mood. "Can you bring Lena here?""What's your plan?""What else?" Sasha sneered. "It's for a bone marrow compatibility test. Do you really expect me to be tested?""You—""What?"Zachary couldn't hold back any longer. "That child calls you her aunt! She's in a life-threatening situation, and you won't save her?""Aunt?" Sasha chuckled, her face unfeeling. "What kind of aunt am I? Besides, Lena is her aunt too! Why can't she provide bone marrow?""Sasha!""Don't lecture me about family!" Sasha glared at him. "I despise it when people use family to manipulate me. Zachary, let me tell you, only one of the twins can survive! So, who are you going to choose between me and Lena?"Zachary clenched his lips, his face reddening and veins pulsating on his forehead."You've seen me grow up." Sasha finally rose from the sofa and linked arms with him, her g
"Zachary, must you speak up for her?" Sasha's gaze turned icy. "Have you considered who you've raised since childhood?"Zachary paused and averted his gaze slowly. He had a stronger emotional bond with Sasha, having been with her since she was a child.However, there was a hurdle in his heart he couldn't cross, and that was Lena, the daughter of Krystal, his savior."Zachary, after my mom's last breakfast with me in Southeast Aciatic, she headed to Centrolis. She got caught by the police on her way back... Remember what she told you in prison?" Sasha knew this was Zachary's weak point and exploited it."Your mom told me to take care of you."Sasha lightly held his hand. "Zachary, you always talk about repaying kindness. Can't you fulfill my mom's request?""She asked me to take care of you, not to help you harm her other daughter!""You're wrong. My mom only has one daughter!" Sasha's eyes looked crazed. "Between me and her, only one can survive!""You..."Sasha sneered, pulle
Zachary gazed at Lena, overwhelmed by a surge of emotions welling up inside him.As he remained silent, fixated on her, Lena grew slightly perplexed. Sensing his unease, she decided to lead him away from the bustling crowd and handed him a bottle of water."Sir, did you get hurt when you fell just now?" she asked.Zachary responded with a smile. "I'm fine. But what about you? Others ignored my fall, yet you lent a helping hand."Lena hesitated briefly. "Well, you fell, so it was only natural to help."A meaningful glance from Zachary followed. "Aren't you worried I might accuse you? Didn't you notice? The people around hesitated to assist, and some even recorded the incident.""Perhaps there are a few conniving individuals in society who've tarnished common decency, but it doesn't mean everyone is malicious," Lena replied with a smile."Do you have faith in people?""I didn't use to."Lena sat beside Zachary, both of them gazing up at the sky. From this angle, she bore a strik