Daniel gently held her. He didn't know how to comfort her, but he did what he could to stop her from trembling so much.Maisie felt chills run down her spine and overwhelming sadness. "Did my mom really want to harm me? Why would she do this...""Perhaps she never truly regarded you as her daughter," Daniel murmured. "You should never have any fantasies about her.""Owen, Nicole, and I are all her children. Why would she—""What if that's not the case?" Daniel blurted out.Maisie was stunned, her mind going blank. "What do you mean by that?"Daniel took a deep breath and said after a while, "I don't mean anything else. I'm just hoping you won't get too caught up in this rotten person and situation. Since the moment she sent you to my bed for money many years ago, you should have known she wasn't fit to be your mother!"Maisie lowered her gaze, feeling a chilling void in her heart."I think she'll come looking for you again." Daniel looked at her. "Leaving aside whether those di
"Let's go." Daniel set down what he was holding. "I'll show you!"Maisie followed him to the small building.It was a white cottage. Although uninhabited, it was clean both inside and out. Maids cleaned it daily, and they smiled and nodded respectfully upon seeing Daniel and Maisie."This is where my aunt used to live," Daniel explained softly.He opened the door, revealing a spacious living room connected to a long, bright corridor. Photos lined the corridor. The elegant, distinguished woman in those pictures was probably Daniel's aunt.However, as Maisie looked at the photos, she felt a sense of familiarity."She's..." She furrowed her brow, pondered for a moment, then suddenly had a flash of realization. "Professor Kinglake?!"Daniel smiled gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Yes, Whitney Kinglake. She's my aunt."Maisie was very surprised. "Why didn't you tell me earlier that you have such an impressive aunt?""Impressive?" Daniel raised an eyebrow, smiling. In his mo
"She?" Daniel paused and chuckled. "She's not a relative of mine. She's my aunt's student.""Anya..." Maisie pronounced her name, tracing the photo with her fingertips and couldn't help but smile. "She's really beautiful."Daniel hurriedly said, "You're beautiful too."Maisie pushed him lightly, looking coy. "She's your aunt's student, so is she also a playwright?""Yes," Daniel explained, "I know very little about her, but I've heard she was a talented writer and playwright. However, she kept a low profile, maintained a mysterious persona to the outside world, and hadn't produced many works. Hence, very few people know this name.""Does she still write books?" Maisie asked curiously.Daniel shook his head and replied, "She was troubled by love later on and seemed quite distressed over a man. My aunt was disappointed in her and never contacted her again.""And then?""And then... she passed away." Daniel drew Maisie close, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "I don't know abo
This was the backyard of the Newhouses, usually not frequented by people, and the road outside was private, with no vehicles passing through.Cindy had been waiting there for a long time. When she saw Jodie, she waved excitedly. However, as soon as she noticed Jodie's disdainful expression, her smile froze. Eventually, she could only pull a dry smile."Jojo...""What's wrong with you?" Jodie didn't mince words as she started to scold her. "How did you find this place? The servants just mentioned someone outside the backyard and were about to call security... Fortunately, I intercepted them!""Jojo, I—""Is it about money again?" Jodie crossed her arms, looking imposing, and smirked. "It seems you've got nothing else to discuss with me. Speak up. How much this time? For your useless son again, right? That waste of space, why hasn't he perished in rehab yet?!""You!" Cindy widened her eyes, her expression abruptly changing. "How could you say that about your brother?!""Let him
"Absolutely not!" Cindy protested vehemently. "Listen, let me explain. I really couldn't find an opportunity. Daniel—""Don't use Daniel as an excuse!" Jodie lost her composure. "No matter how capable he is, can he stay by that despicable girl's side 24/7? Can he manipulate everything? It's just that you don't want to find an opportunity!"Jodie gave her a sidelong glance and taunted sarcastically, "Could it be that my biological mother, who raised someone else's child, has developed feelings for that child?""What are you saying?!" Cindy was distressed and angry.How had she treated Jodie all these years? Even if she found it nearly impossible to see her daughter, she still willingly overcame obstacles just to catch a glimpse of her.Even when faced with Jodie's coldness, Cindy continued to meet her with a smiling face. If Jodie was unhappy, Cindy would be willing to give her everything she had.That was because she was her daughter, born from her own body—her flesh and blood! I
Cindy increasingly regretted her actions, staying silent for a while before saying shakily, "Jojo, come back home with me. I'll definitely—""You'll definitely what?!" Jodie's grievance erupted like a flood. "I've grown accustomed to living like this. Do you want me to return to that slum with you? Let me tell you once more. My dad is the CEO of the Newhouse Group, my mom is a renowned author, and I am the future CEO of Newhouse Group! I have no connection with you or that slum! None!""Jojo!"Jodie jerked her hand away and ran off without looking back.Cindy's vision blurred due to tears streaming down her face, and her heart was gripped with pain."It's all because of Delilah..." she muttered to herself, grinding her teeth. "It's all because of her! She's the reason our family has become what it is today!"Jojo, don't worry. I'll help you remove all obstacles, including this malicious woman!"Cindy wiped her tears, the discomfort from her diabetes starting to creep up. She end
When Toph arrived at the Newhouse residence, the butler personally welcomed him and respectfully led him to Harvey's art studio.Harvey had been sitting there all morning, engrossed in painting. Toph approached slowly, unable to help smiling when he observed Harvey's intense focus.Harvey keenly sensed someone behind him and abruptly looked up."Don't get me wrong. I didn't mean to sneak up on you!" Toph hurriedly waved his hands as if confessing to a mistake. "I... I brought the final draft of the illustrated novel to see if there's anything you think needs to be revised."Harvey glanced at it briefly and grunted after a while, "Your work is already good enough. No need for changes.""Really?" Toph scratched his head. "But Aunt Maisie saw these last time and knew which ones you drew... Actually, I'm not as good as you in terms of artistic sensibility.""You're being modest!" Harvey lightly scoffed, turning away to focus on his artwork. He still looked pale and thin, but there wa
Even though each one was a draft, Harvey's sketches were as refined as finished works from some comic studios. The style of these drawings was exquisite and captivating, even without colors. Relying on the market sense he had honed over the years, Toph was convinced that this work was bound to be a hit."Is this your comic?" he couldn't help but ask. "It's really good! Not only are the visuals beautiful, but the storyline is also great!"Harvey, why did you never mention that you create comics yourself?""You..." Harvey turned his head slightly, his expression complex. "Why are you looking at this?""I stumbled upon it, just under this easel... Why? Is it not meant to be seen?"Harvey waved his hand dismissively and turned his face away. After a while, he muttered, "You… You like it?""It's great! If this sells, it'll surely be a hit!""But the main characters are two guys..." Harvey's voice trailed off. "People might dislike that, right?"Toph chuckled, putting his hand on H