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
"I see." Daniel's expression shifted when a thought suddenly struck him.He spent the night with Maisie, sorting through the plot and the sketches. By the time he returned to the study, Tigger was already fast asleep on his blanket. He chuckled softly, nudging Tigger aside, but tossed and turned in bed.Maisie's words, "I'm the only healthy one in our family", echoed in his mind.A sudden thought flashed through his mind—could Jodie not be the real heiress of the Newhouses? Could it be someone else?-Daniel arranged to meet with Chris and Lena at the five-star hotel under the Quimby Group on that particular day."Uncle Daniel, you're being too nice! You've already treated us. Why again today?"Daniel was taken aback. Who else, if not Toph, had such carefree laughter?Chris and Lena exchanged smiles, apologizing, "Zuko is with his family, so he sticks with us!""What?! You're making it sound like I'm a single guy..." Toph was upset. "I'm married too, you know?"Daniel smiled.
Daniel hadn't even had a chance to explain when Toph returned excitedly with two large plates of food. "Wow, these are all my favorites! Uncle Daniel, this hotel is amazing! By the way, can I stay here for a few nights? I want to try the late-night snacks!""Stay as long as you like." Daniel chuckled. "I only thought of having you all over at home for safety and comfort, so I didn't consider the hotel. If you like it, I'll arrange it.""Thank you, thank you!"Except for Toph, who was fully engrossed in eating, the other three exchanged glances, halting the previous conversation with an unspoken understanding."Hmm?" Chris noticed Toph's sketchbook and casually picked it up. "You're really dedicated now, carrying it everywhere!""It's the professional ethics of an illustrator." Toph puffed his cheeks. "Inspiration strikes at any moment. I have to jot it down. When I see something beautiful, be it a person or scenery, I have to record it as a reference.""Not bad." Daniel smiled li
Chris held Lena's hand and chuckled. "If you need my help, count me in!""The part where I need you has yet to come." Daniel smiled and looked at Lena. "The security of the Newhouses is renowned. From what I know, 1/3 of their family income goes into security.""Oh?" Lena chuckled wryly. "Maybe it's a rich people's woe, having too much money and worrying about being targeted. So, they hire more bodyguards.""Exactly. They're not just afraid of being targeted for money but also for their safety, especially Mrs. Newhouse."Daniel's gaze was cryptic. "Mrs. Newhouse always has female bodyguards around her, and the Newhouses are currently seeking a reliable person to train these female guards. I hope... that person is you."Lena paused, then nodded. "I understand."She turned to Chris, smiling gently. "This needs Mr. Hamerton's help! If someone from the Hamertons recommends, the Newhouses won't refuse.""Naturally." Daniel smiled. "Once you're in the Newhouses, keep an eye on Jodie's
"So, you're the great author who managed to convince my son to draw illustrations?" Delilah raised her tone, particularly emphasizing "the great author" and causing Maisie to blush a bit."You're too kind, Ms. Roper," Maisie replied softly. "The collaboration with Mr. Harvery was purely coincidental.""Harvey never draws for anyone," Delilah said. "His dream is to hold a world tour exhibition. Drawing illustrations is a small matter he doesn't bother with. But the fact that he's willing to draw for you indeed surprised me!"Maisie lowered her head and discreetly observed Delilah.Delilah exuded elegance, meticulously dressed from head to toe. Every strand of her hair radiated luxury. Despite her smiling face, her gaze remained cold and discerning.Maisie didn't understand why she was being scrutinized like this on their first meeting.Feeling uncomfortable under Delilah's intense gaze, she poured some coffee for her and respectfully pushed it toward her. "Please, have some."Del
"Only Morpheus and Sephy aren't like that. They respect and understand me. Sephy told me once, 'One's appearance doesn't indicate anything. A clean heart is what truly matters!'"Rebecca chuckled dismissively."You're a psychologist, yet you fail to grasp this," Wynn said coldly. "Actually, I pity you. You could have stepped out, yet you insist on dwelling on the trivialities."Morpheus has psychological barriers, a consequence of returning from the battlefield. No one has cured his PTSD except Sephy... It shows that a true psychologist is never just a title."What truly heals everything is love!"-One particular morning a year later, sunlight streamed through sheer cream curtains onto the floor.Persephone was sound asleep when she suddenly felt something pressing down on her... Then, Morpheus' strong arms wrapped around her slender waist. She drowsily opened her eyes to find him sealing her lips with heated kisses.Over the year, his kissing skills had improved, and Persepho
With Morpheus' involvement, the police didn't slack off and quickly found Rebecca.That day, Rebecca was preparing to escape from a small port. The boat she had found was an illegally operating one.As she was about to board, piercing sirens sounded nearby.The boat owner, enraged upon hearing the sirens, grabbed Rebecca by her hair and pushed her into the water.Rebecca screamed for help, but he roared, "I didn't expect you to be sent by the cops!""I'm not..." Rebecca choked on water. "Sir, let's leave now. Your boat is fast. As long as we reach the open sea, no one will catch you!""Dream on!" The boat owner wanted to strangle her. "Do you not understand? These sirens are from the royal guards! Who did you bitch provoke?"Rebecca was dumbfounded. Being a foreigner, she naturally didn't understand the local affairs in the Southeast Aciatic region.The police and royal guards quickly caught up, armed, and surrounded them.Rebecca turned pale and trembled all over, her gaze gr
"You had no choice on the battlefield."Persephone looked at him with her crystal eyes. There was a magical power in them. Even if a devil was tearing him apart, her eyes would always bring him back to light.She smiled and caressed his cheek. "Though you killed your father, you saved the country.""Do you really… think so?"She nodded. "You're not at fault. He was the one who made a mistake. You were just fulfilling your job as a general to protect the country."But I also understand that he's your father who brought you up, after all. You guys must have had happy days before that happened, right?"Morpheus held his head low in silence."You did well as the protector of the country," she said softly. "But as a son, you can secretly pay homage to him."Persephone held his hand. "Reconcile with your father, Morpheus. You'll also reconcile with yourself by doing that, okay?"He was stunned for a long time and felt a lump in his throat.-Morpheus stayed with Persephone in the
"No way!" Christopher smirked, glancing at Morpheus. "To him, you're his only princess! I just got lucky for the princess carry, thanks to you!""Yeah, at least you're self-aware!" Persephone nodded, rubbing her chin."We've known each other for so long! What kind of person do you think I am?" Christopher laughed. "I can be a bit shameless at times, but..."But upon learning that the one she loved was the unbeatable god of war, he willingly stepped back, offering his blessings with a smile."Okay, okay. You two stop crowding around me!" Christopher waved his hand. "Sephy needs more rest, and I'd like to get some more sleep, too! Once we heal, let's go out and have some fun together!""You're still thinking about fun?" Morpheus' deep voice intervened with a wry smile. "With the factory explosion incident, the royal family is furious and will thoroughly investigate it. Many people will probably be coming to talk to you both in the next few days. After all, you two are the most direc
"Let's get out first!""Hey, wait..." Persephone pointed to the other side.In moments of life and death, it wasn't appropriate to laugh, but Morpheus still chuckled. The young Prince Christopher was sprawled on the floor in a very ridiculous pose, and they almost forgot about him!"Don't worry," Morpheus whispered. "I won't let anything happen to him."He had Persephone cling to his back and then carried Christopher.Christopher was a tall fellow, so it took some effort to carry them both to a safe place.Fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars rushed in. Their sirens pierced the sky, startling a flock of birds.The fire was soon extinguished, and Persephone and Christopher received timely treatment. Luckily, their burns weren't too severe, and even more fortunately, their faces were unharmed.When Christopher woke up, he felt bandages wrapped around his head, and his skin had a burning sensation. His heart sank, and he was almost on the verge of tears."Tell me the truth! A
There was fire everywhere. Flames rushed toward Persephone like menacing dragons. Her consciousness grew increasingly blurred, but the searing pain coursing through her body became clearer. She struggled to get up, the agony almost unbearable.Despite several attempts, it was futile...Something was pinning her feet down, and stones kept falling on her. She couldn't even muster a shout.Many images flashed through her mind in that fleeting moment, each frame featuring Morpheus' face…She remembered the times they had spent together in Flinge, how he had initially distanced himself from her, then later had exerted every effort to protect her. She recalled how he would gently ruffle her hair and call her "silly goose"..."Morpheus, I'm afraid I might have to go first..."The fire grew fiercer, explosions resonated continuously, and she could no longer hold on.Christopher, who was nearby, wasn't any better.Amidst the roaring flames, he couldn't see anything clearly, only pulling
"No need, you can go back first." Morpheus glanced at him. "I'll wait here for her a little longer.""Prince Christopher wouldn't do anything to Ms. Hamerton...""Alfred, what are you thinking?" Morpheus couldn't help but chuckle. "I know exactly what Christopher is like, but I just want to wait here for Sephy. Christopher mentioned that she'd specifically designed these fireworks for me. Hah! I'm the useless one. I don't even dare to go inside and take a look.""Sir, don't say that.""If I wait here, will it count as accompanying her in her efforts?"Alfred nodded.Morpheus smiled and sent Alfred back. He continued waiting under the tree.The air in Southeast Aciatic was hot and humid. The shade of the banyan tree offered some relief, but it couldn't completely dispel the oppressive heat.Morpheus took a deep breath, about to move elsewhere, when he glimpsed a suspicious figure swiftly darting through the factory's side gate.The security at the side gate was lax, making it e
Christopher struggled to swallow the bite of the sandwich in his mouth for what seemed like ages. He gazed at Persephone, his mind wandering back…He didn't just know Morpheus. He had been close since childhood to the children of the two prominent military families in Southeast Aciatic.Compared to the Harrises, he preferred visiting the Ortons, especially when he got to spend time with Morpheus. He considered Morpheus a friend, a brother even, having engaged in countless mischief together, much to their parents' dismay.In his memory, Morpheus was someone who smiled a lot, radiating warmth and brightness like the Southeast Aciatic sun when he did.However, from the moment Kaiden betrayed the country, Morpheus never smiled again, gradually growing distant from Christopher as well.It wasn't until that evening at the gates of the palace that Christopher felt like it had been a lifetime."I... I don't know him." Christopher forced a smile. "Where would I have met your boyfriend!"
Morpheus wasn't just an ordinary person!Christopher wholeheartedly accepted his defeat to Morpheus."Then... I'd like to invite you to come over to my place for a while as a friend. That's fine, right?"-A few days later, Persephone finally ran into Christopher, who had been missing in action for days, in the classroom."Hey, you finally showed up!" She dashed over, plopping down in the seat beside him and handing him breakfast. "You haven't eaten, right? Let's eat together!"Usually, Christopher would readily accept, but he waved his hands now. "No, no, no!""What's wrong?" Persephone widened her eyes. "This breakfast isn't poisoned!"Christopher awkwardly smiled. "You have a boyfriend, so maybe... we should keep some distance."Persephone burst into laughter. Then she remarked, "Strange... Morpheus was right!""Uh, what?""My boyfriend!" She chuckled. "He made this breakfast. I asked if he could also make a portion for you, and he said sure, just worried you wouldn't tak