Linda said with a smile as she pulled Lina closer, "He's not much older than you, anyway."Daniel, it's perfect that you're here. Let's have dinner together. Zuko and Lina have some good news.""Oh?""I'm going to be a grandmother again!"Stunned, Daniel looked at them. Lina blushed, leaning her head coquettishly on Zuko's shoulder."Lina's pregnant again." Zuko's face beamed with joy. "She's just entered her third month. The baby's healthy, and Lina is feeling well. Everything's good!""Congratulations."Daniel offered his congratulations, but in his mind, he couldn't help but think, 'Ugh! Your parents were just killing me with their PDA, and now it's your turn. Is this family going to make me, the single man, die of loneliness?'"Ah, my granduncle's here!" Persephone, drenched in sweat from playing, ran in from the courtyard. She held a toy gun and playfully aimed it at Daniel.Daniel fell onto the couch, pretending to be shot, and they all had fun."Let's play in the cou
Daniel hesitated at first, but his mouth had already agreed before he realized it."Sephy, where's the place for trying on the wedding dresses?" Daniel asked.Persephone momentarily pondered and replied, "It's on the city's south side, at a studio."Daniel nodded.-After returning home, Daniel managed to piece together the location based on Persephone's fragmented information. It turned out to be a high-end bridal brand renowned both in Centrolis and internationally.Daniel smiled cynically as he thought that this probably wasn't the place Graham had found. It seemed likely that the heir to the Bayer family had been directed by his parents to choose a wedding dress there. After all, a man who split living expenses probably wouldn't be keen on spending so much money.-On the weekend, in the south of Centrolis.Graham and Maisie arrived at the bridal store on time.Persephone, who was seeing these exquisite gowns for the first time, excitedly hopped among the colorful dresses
"Wait a moment!" Daniel called out. "Don't speak recklessly!"Mario quickly grasped the situation and nodded with a chuckle.When Maisie emerged from the dressing room, she radiated an otherworldly glow. Her wedding dress sparkled, and she appeared like a celestial being under a starry sky. Each smile and frown showcased her breathtaking beauty.The long-sleeved wedding dress followed a traditional, simple, and elegant design with a touch of lace on the chest for that perfect finishing touch. It preserved the bride's purity while exuding charm."What do you think?" Mario asked with satisfaction. "I designed this dress a few days ago, and several royal families from Eropah came to negotiate for it. But I believe in fate. I won't even ask for payment if the dress finds the right bride!"He added softly, "This dress is a bit more conservative, but it suits Ms. Squire's temperament perfectly. It has a subtle and alluring charm."Daniel was entirely captivated by Maisie and barely hea
Maisie gripped the phone, her mind a blank canvas. She wanted to answer the call but hesitated the moment her finger brushed the answer button.Her intuition told her that Sophia and Graham had an unusual relationship.-Days passed routinely. Maisie arrived at work on time each day, occasionally bringing back a bouquet of flowers from the local florist. Sometimes, she treated herself to street food or went shopping for little things she liked after work.Graham stayed exceedingly busy, with barely a spare moment for her. Even when they managed to meet, it was always brief, and meaningful conversations were scarce.Maisie couldn't help but notice that Graham's phone rang more frequently during their meetings as if the caller deliberately timed the interruptions. Each time he answered, he dodged her questions about the caller and gave no direct answers.All of this left Maisie convinced that it had something to do with the mysterious "Sophia" from the phone call.Daniel occasiona
Maisie's heart skipped a beat. She felt a unique connection with Daniel that went beyond friendship. It was a feeling akin to memories from a past life, familiar and comforting."Since you see me as a friend, helping each other is the natural way of things," Daniel reassured her softly. "You don't need to hesitate. But if it truly bothers you, you can treat me to a meal again. That might make you feel better."-The day Maisie invited Daniel to dinner marked the start of winter. She had prepared a hearty hot pot, filling the table with fish, shrimp, beef, lamb, fresh veggies, and mushrooms.Daniel brought a bottle of wine, and they enjoyed a warm conversation while indulging in the hot pot's comforting heat.As he asked about her wedding preparations, Maisie hesitated for a moment, smiled, and didn't give a direct response."What's the matter?" Daniel asked. "Is there something you and your fiance don't agree on?"Maisie spoke softly. "I always feel like he's keeping something f
"Alright, that's enough," Graham said, furrowing his brows but still looking indulgent as he gazed at the woman.The woman was tall and curvy, dressed provocatively even in the cold winter with black tights and a short skirt. Her heavy makeup and wavy hair made her look alluring and foxy. Leaning against Graham, she added a touch of seductive allure.With Graham's indulgence, the woman's actions grew more unrestrained. She didn't mind the passersby's glances as she kissed Graham on the lips.Graham gently pushed her away, somewhat helpless. "I promise I'll find the right time to explain to my family.""Will your family be okay with me?""Don't worry. With me around, they'll have to be."The woman smiled, took the car keys, and waved to him before driving away in the sports car.Daniel's gaze darkened.If he hadn't mistaken the car, it belonged to the Bayers. Wasn't Graham the kind of man who even insisted on splitting expenses in his marriage? Would he be so generous as to let
"In a few days?" Maisie's surprise grew.She thought the child might come from a divorced family, and the woman probably meant that she would find a stepfather for him in a few days.Maisie felt for the child, who seemed quiet and timid. Since he arrived, he hadn't said a word.Now, she realized it was because he lacked his biological father's protection.With this in mind, Maisie smiled at the boy. However, James suddenly fixed his gaze on her, his beautiful amber eyes displaying an unexpected coldness for his age.Maisie shivered, taken aback by such a gaze coming from a child."Ms. Squire?" The woman gently stroked James' head. "Isn't my son adorable?""Oh..." Maisie snapped back to reality and managed a smile. "Yes, he's very handsome and cute.""James, you need to listen to Ms. Squire from now on!"James nodded obediently, but Maisie couldn't shake the feeling that she saw a hint of a mocking smirk on the boy, well beyond his years.Maisie looked at the woman. "Ma'am, ma
Maisie could only offer a few words of comfort. She had tried calling James' mother, but the calls would go unanswered, or the mother would dismiss it as kids' play and not a big deal.But when she tried to speak more this time, the mother said curtly, "Ms. Squire, do you need more money? It's fine. If money can solve the problem, my future husband will help!""Ma'am—"Before Maisie could finish her sentence, the call abruptly ended. She sighed weakly, glanced at her half-eaten sandwich, took a few quick bites, and rushed off to work.However, one problem led to another.-On this day, a teacher ran up to Maisie before she even entered the classroom. "Ms. Squire, two kids from your class are fighting!"Maisie's heart leaped into her throat, and she was sure it was James causing trouble again.When she rushed over to see, it wasn't James bullying someone—it was Persephone!The little princess was on top of James, throwing punches rapidly, each one quick and strong.A group of