Linda suddenly felt uneasy and quickly looked toward Daniel. However, Daniel's gaze wasn't fixed on Persephone. He seemed to be gazing aimlessly, but his expression showed a subtle hint of emotion.Noticing Linda's distress, Cordelia took her cold hand and spoke softly, making sure Daniel could hear her too. "Linda, no matter what, we're still family. I remember when Daniel was a young boy."He secretly used our family's money to take a train and visit you in Jangasas during winter's first snowfall. He wasn't warmly dressed and ended up shivering at the train station. He was even mistaken for a runaway child and sent to a welfare institution."Your bond is strong, and I believe Daniel wouldn't do anything wrong."Daniel glanced at her, and Cordelia continued with a smile, emphasizing her point. "However, people can change."Mr. Quimby, you and Linda can change. While blood is thicker than water, sometimes justice takes precedence over family. You must have heard of the Thompson fa
Maisie's gaze was crystal-clear, while her smile was just as pure as it was five years ago when he first laid eyes on her. However, her eyes now held no sign of longing, admiration, love, or hatred for him.Daniel felt a sudden pang in his heart."Sir? Sir?" Maisie noticed his distraction and gently called out to him. "Sir, what's wrong?"Daniel snapped back to reality, offering a polite smile. He apologized, "I'm sorry. It was my mistake earlier. I shouldn't have brought this teddy bear in. It distracted the children.""This teddy bear is adorable," Maisie replied with a smile. "Not only do the children like it, but I do too!""Is that right?" Daniel's usually cold eyes sparkled warmly.The bear was a gift he had given her five years ago, and she didn't recall anything about it."If you like it, you can put it in the classroom." Daniel's voice trembled slightly. "You and the children can enjoy it every day."Maisie was momentarily puzzled, feeling a strange sensation. The man
"What did you say?" Daniel asked.Persephone seriously repeated, "You're not as handsome as the prince!""You little rascal!" Daniel raised his hand as if to spank her, but it was all in jest.Persephone couldn't avoid it, and she was lifted up and tickled, laughing uncontrollably.Sadly, the ice cream cone met its end, falling entirely onto Daniel's coat.Persephone froze, her empty hand and Daniel's coat catching her eye. Her face turned beet red. After a few moments of silence, she began to cry."Sephy, please don't cry!" Daniel had never comforted a child, let alone a preschooler with such a loud voice.The passersby gave him strange looks, wondering if he was mistreating the little girl."Oh, Sephy!" He quickly tried to console her. "Don't cry!"Persephone pushed his hand away."Stop crying!" Daniel raised his voice sternly. "That's enough!""Wah—""Why cry over something so small? If you want more ice cream, I'll get you another one!""You big meanie!" Persephone pou
Daniel's request to Persephone was quite simple."It's a small thing," he said with a smile. "I want to pick you up from school every day from now on.""Hmm?" Persephone, being mischievous, furrowed her brows."Does that mean my dad and mom, Grandpa Zephyr, Grandma Cordelia, Grandpa Nicholas, and Grandma Linda can't come anymore?" she asked."Try to keep them from coming," Daniel said earnestly, making up excuses. "Think about it. Your parents are always busy with work, and sometimes they might forget to pick you up. Your grandparents, Zephyr and Cordelia, are busy running a cafe, and your other grandparents..."Daniel hesitated, scratching his head. "Well, they're all busy too.""So, you're the only one who's free?"Daniel blinked and nodded."Alright," Persephone agreed. "But I have one condition.""Oh? What is it?""You have to bring me delicious treats every day!" she stated.With a smile, Daniel extended his pinky finger to seal the deal.This time, he bought Persephon
Daniel's swift reaction startled Maisie, freezing her in place as she gazed at him."Sir? Are you...""Are you okay? Does it hurt?" Daniel grabbed a tissue from the nearby table and gently wiped away the blood. "Do you have any band-aids in your office?"Maisie shook her head."I'll go buy some.""No need." Maisie stopped him. "It's just a small cut. I used to prick my hand often during crafts."Daniel furrowed his brows. "No!"It wasn't just a minor cut to him—she was bleeding. It was a significant concern. The needle might not have been sterilized, and there could be germs on it. What if she got an infection?Daniel's typically calm and rational mind was now filled with vivid imagination."It's really not a big deal," Maisie said, feeling a bit embarrassed. "How could I trouble you? Uh... Are you here to pick up Persephone? She hasn't finished her class yet.""Oh..." Daniel replied casually, realizing he might have overreacted earlier.Maisie noticed he was still holding h
Daniel maintained his silence.Linda stole a quick glance at him and couldn't help but feel he was even more intimidating when he stayed quiet. However, his silence now carried a touch of sadness.After a while, he spoke softly. "Is he... treating her well?""Whether it's good or bad, it's not your concern anymore," she replied."It is my concern!" Daniel's voice trembled slightly. "If he treats her well, I promise I won't disturb her anymore. But if he mistreats her, I'll do anything to bring her back to me.""Why did you act like you did in the first place, knowing all this?" Linda asked with a bitter smile. "Where were you when she wanted to be with you the most, have children with you, and live a happy life together?"Linda's words rendered Daniel speechless."Reflect on it yourself," Linda said calmly before leaving the room. "Think about what she meant to you in the past. Did you truly see her as a woman, or did you treat her as a means to alleviate your loneliness?"Dani
Amidst the cheers and blessings, Arya looked deeply moved but somewhat shy. She extended her hand, allowing Toph to place the ring on her finger. Toph put the ring on and then scooped her up like a princess.Colorful fireworks lit up the night sky, making the whole venue a dream.The banquet was lively, and everyone expected Toph to be his usual sociable self. However, with Arya by his side, he held back. Instead of joking around with his friends, he gazed at his future wife with a goofy grin, becoming a quiet and composed gentleman.Dealing with the guests fell to Zuko and Lina, and they handled it gracefully, impressing the guests with their charm.Daniel stood in a corner, observing the festivities as if he were in a different world. He watched everything calmly, took a sip of red wine, and felt a hint of bitterness.Graham had flown back from overseas for this event. He stood by Maisie's side, helping her with her shawl and replacing her wine with grape juice.Daniel saw Mais
"I..." Maisie initially wanted to refuse.She felt a strange sensation the first time she saw Daniel. His words held a certain power over her, and she had an unexplainable trust in him from the depths of her heart. It was as if she believed he was a good person who wouldn't do anything inappropriate.-Daniel drove Maisie to the amusement park, which was closed for the day and shrouded in darkness.However, when Maisie took her first step into the park, it seemed like a magical spell had been cast. Each step she took illuminated a path beneath her, and the surrounding lights gradually came to life, transforming the place into a fairytale wonderland.Her eyes widened in amazement as she beheld the towering Ferris wheel adorned with neon lights in the distance, the merry-go-round playing a beautiful melody nearby, and even houses shaped like cotton candy. Maisie's delight was evident."Do you like it here?" Daniel asked gently."Yes!" Maisie nodded, recalling that the man beside h