Chris stared coldly at the group of so-called doctors.Maybe his intense gaze intimidated them—the doctors exchanged glances and quickly withdrew the needle, injecting only half the syringe before hastily leaving in a fluster.In the room, a few servants remained, tending to Harvey.Weakly, Harvey slumped onto the bed, his face pale.Chris pulled Toph away, leading him out. This place didn't evoke any artistic vibes for him. Instead, it felt eerie.Exiting the gates of the Newhouse residence, Chris breathed a sigh of relief.Toph looked at him oddly and asked what was going on.Chris frowned and slowly uttered, "The sedative...""What?""Don't you think there's something wrong with that stuff?"Toph pondered for a moment, sensing that something might indeed be amiss. "Chris, tell me!""Back then, I had someone get a special drug for Aunt Linda," Chris said in a low voice. "It's what special forces and international spies use. It can make people lose their memory."Realizati
As soon as Cindy spoke up, she received a glare."What are you calling me?!"Cindy stepped back, looking at her with a sense of grievance. "Jojo, you—""Shut up!" Jodie snapped, her tone hostile. "How dare you use my nickname? Only my parents can call me that!""B-But I'm your mother!" Cindy sobbed."You are not!" Jodie couldn't take it anymore, her gaze filled with disgust.The two stood there silently, each second feeling like an eternity.After a while, Jodie took a deep breath and threw a bank card in front of Cindy.Cindy was momentarily stunned. Despite the shame brought by her birth daughter's actions, she stooped to pick up the card from the ground.Jodie glanced at her with a contemptuous snort. "The money inside should satisfy you. Tell me, was the money I gave you before not enough? But your worthless son gambled it away. What can I do? Fortunately, your daughter is quite resourceful, getting close to Daniel..."Hah! You've been leeching off her over the years. Hav
"What's wrong, Chris?""Oh, nothing." Chris snapped back to reality.The director followed his gaze and chuckled, explaining, "You're looking at them? They're likely family members of some of the residents here at the rehab center. Visits are strictly controlled. They're waiting here for clearance. Only after they get permission can they go in for a visit.""Okay." Chris nodded.Jodie and Cindy casually shifted their gaze in their direction. Although neither recognized Chris, his special forces background endowed him with a talent for facial recognition.Confidently, Chris identified the stylish young woman as Harvey's elder sister, Jodie Newhouse—the same person from the family photo at the Newhouse residence.As for the middle-aged woman, Chris recalled Maisie holding her hand and referring to her as "Mom" during the hotel reception hosted by Daniel. Back then, Maisie had left to get Persephone cotton candy while Chris went to the restroom. He didn't dwell on it much at the tim
Chris nodded and waved goodbye.-Maisie was in the kitchen preparing a new dessert. She was at the final step, about to finish the whole thing.The aroma wafting from the oven filled the entire small apartment, adding a touch of warmth to the place.Daniel wasn't idle either. He was helping her tidy up the desk, organize her writing materials, and pour some kibbles into the small bowl in the corner of the living room.Tigger perked up at the sound of dog food, waddling over with its chubby body, its trot making it wobble. It approached Daniel, nuzzling affectionately.Daniel responded with a gentle pat on the head.The little German Shepherd was just over a month old, a joint decision by him and Maisie during a visit to the pet store.-Back then.They initially aimed for a cat, but fate intervened—Tigger's mother was on the verge of giving birth to puppies as they entered the store.The shop owner, a kind-hearted elderly lady and an experienced veterinarian, asked Daniel a
Daniel turned around to walk to her, his gaze incredibly tender.His voice was deep as he took her hand with a smile. "Maisie, it was all my fault before... I'm grateful that fate has given me another chance to cherish you."Maisie's eyes widened in confusion. What was he talking about out of the blue?She was about to reach for the thing around Daniel's neck when he grabbed her hand."Thank you, Maisie." He was moved. "This time, I'll cherish what you've given me. I won't lose it again."Maisie was even more perplexed. She then saw him turn toward the mirror, stand straight, and smile happily."Well... this royal blue is bright and looks good. Although I've never tried this color, since it's from you, I'll definitely—""Daniel!" Maisie interrupted him with an awkward smile. "I think you've misunderstood.""Misunderstood? This isn't for me?"Maisie was exasperated as she took the "scarf" off his neck. Tigger trotted over, and Maisie put the "scarf" around it...Daniel's mind
"What's going on?" Daniel was speechless. "Tigger, look properly. It's me!"Tigger didn't care who it was. Someone was bothering its mom, and it had to step up!"Hey, Tigger, be good... Don't bite me!" Daniel had to get up from the couch, coaxing and scolding Tigger aside.Maisie also got up, laughing so hard tears almost came out.After calming Tigger, she offered Daniel a piece of the dessert."Well... consider this my apology?" Maisie smiled sweetly, slightly acting cute.Daniel could only take a few deep breaths, forcing the fire inside him to extinguish quickly. He took a bite of the dessert. The aroma tantalized his taste buds, as enticing as the person in front of him."Is it good?""Mm-hmm." He smiled. "Delicious.""Then my recipe this time is a success!""Everything you make is delicious." He gently embraced her. "Maisie, what if... I don't leave today, okay?""Hmm?""I'll sleep outside with Tigger, bond with him! So, he won't bite me again."Maisie laughed, feeli
"Odd?" Daniel narrowed his eyes. "What exactly do you mean?""Just... just a feeling I have," Chris said quietly. "Have you had any recent dealings with the Newhouse Group? If so, I suggest you take it slow."Daniel looked at Chris. A special forces soldier's intuition was usually accurate. If Chris was mentioning a problem, it must be significant."Yes," he replied in a deep voice. "I have two collaborations with the Newhouse Group but haven't signed any agreements. I'm currently investigating them in secret."Chris was taken aback. "Uncle Daniel, you suspect...""I suspect irregular financial transactions within the Newhouse Group, not specifically Jodie. Why do you feel something's off about her?"Chris organized his thoughts and summarized his previous encounter with Jodie, as well as her being with Maisie's mother."She's a wealthy heiress. Why would she be with Maisie's mom and even appear at the rehab center at the same time? Isn't that strange?" Chris spoke frankly. "Tha
Daniel couldn't sleep anyway, so he left Tigger and joined her in the living room to go through things together."How do you find the sketches?" "Hmm..." Maisie finished going through all of them and pointed to one. "Only this one seems most fitting!"It was the pivotal scene in the book, where the female lead, though in a delirious state, still loved that man."Though the female lead is mentally unclear, her heart holds love. This sketch captures her gaze with tenderness. I like it! This is how it should be."Daniel paused. Though not an art enthusiast, he could tell this sketch was distinctly different from the others. If his guess was right, the rest seemed to be drawn by Toph, except this one, which appeared to be Harvey's work.He wasn't sure how to express the complex emotions stirring within him. However, his eyes welled up slightly by seeing Maisie facing their unpleasant past so openly and hearing her say she still held love in her heart."Daniel, what's wrong?" Maisie