"What? 700,000 dollars!" Sasha exclaimed.Lina glanced at her with an indifferent smile. "What's the matter? 700,000 dollars isn't too much, is it? Besides, you promised to give my daughter a special gift. You can't back out now!""Exactly!" Arya walked over, playfully patting Sasha's shoulder. "Lenny, you'll give it to Sephy, right? Pammy, a gem is a small price for your close friendship!"Sasha's expression shifted, but she stayed silent. Did Lina live such a lavish life that she didn't care about such money? Was that why she spoke this way?"Oh, isn't that Lena, close to Ms. Thompson?" Some nearby female celebrities started whispering. "Did you catch what they were saying?""It seems... they had a prior agreement. Lena was supposed to give Ms. Thompson's daughter a grand gift, and now she seems to be backing out.""Really? Well, their high-society sisterhood doesn't seem so special after all! Lena used to act inseparable from Ms. Thompson, following her everywhere... Why doesn
At the party.Sasha seized a moment to excuse herself temporarily. She pretended to head to the restroom but instead sought refuge in a secluded corner to make a phone call. She needed to reach Zachary and seek his guidance regarding the situation.After a prolonged ringing, a deep voice finally answered on the other end of the line.Sasha impatiently asked, "Why did it take so long for you to answer?"She was unaware that Zachary was now in a police car and could only take her call with permission. "Zachary! I called for something important. What's going on?"With a heavy heart, Zachary softly called her name, "Sasha..."He wished to say more, but a police officer had already aimed his gun at Zachary's waist."Alright, alright!" Sasha said impatiently. "I just have one question... Earlier, Pamela asked me for a 700,000 dollars gift. Should I give it or not?""700,000 dollars?""Yes!" Sasha, still oblivious, added, "I don't know what kind of arrangement Lena had with Pamela, b
"W-What do you mean?" Sasha struggled to maintain her composure but avoided making eye contact with Elijah. "Could this card be yours instead of mine?""I didn't say that," Elijah replied with a smile. "I just suddenly remembered that my wife also has several similar cards with this aqua-blue color and a laser-etched bamboo pattern on the back. The Pattons are scholars who admire resilient plants like bamboo! By the way, would you like to turn it over and take a look?"Sasha felt flustered. She clutched the bank card tightly and hurriedly left, avoiding any further conversation with Elijah.When she found Lina, she began by acknowledging that she had indeed made a promise. She then explained that she hadn't anticipated the cat's-eye stone to be so expensive, stating that she was in a rush when she left home and this card was the only one with money in it.Finally, she adopted an intimate tone and said, "Lina, we're like sisters. Your daughter is like my own! I won't hesitate to spe
The mask was pure gold, with shiny gemstones gleaming brightly under the spotlight.Sasha stood still, thinking, 'H-How can this be?!'By now, Lena had made her way to the stage and stood next to Elijah.Elijah continued. "This is my half-sister. Our father always hoped to find her before he passed away, and he entrusted me with this mission. Now, I've finally found her."He smiled at Lena, and the warmth in his eyes was real."To be honest, I had some doubts about my sister's birth. But blood is family, and we're related. After finding her, I realized she's had a tough life... The Chrisses owe her. Her appearance even saved my daughter's life. So, she's not just my younger sister—she's our family's savior!"Guests applauded, some moved by the story, but Sasha was puzzled.Where did this sister come from? And why was she wearing a mask, too? Wasn't Lena locked in a dark room by Zachary and swiftly taken care of?"Now, I announce…" Elijah's voice rang out again. "I'm giving half
The guests erupted in chaos, their heads turning toward the scream's source.Arya raised her voice deliberately, addressing Sasha, "Lena, what's happening? Why are you screaming so loudly?"Sasha's hoarse voice pierced through, and she snapped her head toward Lina. "You! Didn't you recognize me just now? I'm not Lena! You need to explain this to everyone!"Lina's smile remained faint and mocking. She pushed Sasha's hand away calmly. "Lenny, are you tipsy from your drinks? What's going on?""Lina!"Lina reached out to grasp Sasha's hand, looking at her pitifully. "Come on, Lenny, we're like sisters. Don't make a scene here, okay? It's the Thompsons' event, and my daughter is here... Can you please control yourself?""No...""Lenny!""I'm not... I'm not!" Sasha covered her ears and stepped back. "I'm not Lena! How many times do I have to say it for you to believe me?"Arya chuckled and linked her arm with Sasha's, saying casually, "Oh my, Lena, what's wrong with you? If you real
Lina waved her hand, and Chris rushed over."I need to take care of Sephy!" Lina smiled. "Can you look after Lenny for me?"Chris eagerly agreed. He hadn't come over earlier because Elijah and Lina were present—one was Lina's brother, and the other was her best friend. Approaching them at that moment would have seemed awkward.Now, he straightened his back, ready to place his hand on Lina's shoulder, only to feel a force grabbing his wrist."What are you doing?" Chris was puzzled."What are you doing?" Elijah narrowed his eyes. "How dare you touch my sister in front of me?"Chris was at a loss of words.It seemed like they had never quite gotten along from the very first time they met. At that time, Chris didn't even know that Elijah was Lina's brother, and he had treated him as a potential rival.Now... it seemed like things had gotten even worse."Alright, don't get in the way!" Elijah stood between Chris and Lina, glancing at Chris. "My sister and I have a lot to talk about
Zuko had just finished eating some grilled chicken wings on a skewer. He glanced at Toph, wishing he could use that bamboo skewer on him."Mom was right about you.""What do you mean?" Toph asked, confused.Zuko gritted out two words through his teeth, "Too dramatic!"With that, he got up and left, heading over to where Chris and the others were.Toph remained bewildered but was tempted by the lively scene on the other side. He had a natural desire for lively atmospheres.He smiled and picked up his paintbrush to sketch the scene. He outlined everyone else, but he drew meticulously when it came to a certain person. That person stood out oddly in the sketch.-With everything settled, it was time for Chris and Lena's wedding.Zuko also wanted to contribute, so he had been staying at home these past few days, discussing plans with his parents to carefully arrange things for his dear cousin."Chris and Lenny prefer things to be quiet, so there's no need for a big ceremony. Somet
Despite that, Arya and Toph appeared quite content with their current situation. Over the past two years, they had been painting together, selling copyrights, adapting works, and even working as animation directors side by side. Their days were filled with activity as they supported each other in their careers and shared the simple joys of life.Yet, when two artists spent time together, clashes over their artistic philosophies were inevitable. There were numerous instances when Zuko and Lina feared that the two of them would completely fall out.Surprisingly, after heated arguments, they would burst into laughter, filling their art studio with warmth.Lina asked her daughter, "Did you say all the things I taught you?"Persephone nodded earnestly."How did Uncle Toph react?" she asked."Hmm…" Persephone paused to think. "I don't think those words work on him.""What?" Lina was taken aback.Zuko chuckled and embraced her. "Well, let's take it slow. I don't think Toph is that stu