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
Despair reflected in Harvey's eyes.Toph looked at him, feeling an inexplicable sense of sadness. Harvey was thin as if a gust of wind could blow him away. His complexion was ghostly pale, a shade of abnormal pallor.Fate seemed relentless. It was like living in hell for being born into this family."I don't know why they treat me like this," Harvey self-mockingly smiled. "Since I was little, my father never liked me. In my memory, he never smiled at me or even held me."And my mother, she's sometimes good to me, sometimes bad. Sometimes she indulges me, other times she hits me even harder than my sister..."And I found out about Jodie's secret ten years ago.""Her secret?" Toph's heart lurched. He had overheard Chris and Lena murmuring that Jodie had no blood relation to Delilah."Yes." Harvey picked up a pen, casually sketching on paper. A few lines twisted into distorted figures like a scene from a chilling horror film.Toph could tell that the twisted face was Jodie, holdin
Harvey smiled gratefully at Toph but didn't dare hope for more. Toph now had a significant other by his side, and they were perfectly matched in status and admired by all. He was happy...So, why drag him into this mess?Seeing him happy was enough."Thank you," he finally said after a long pause.Toph chuckled casually, still wondering why this usually headstrong guy was being so polite today."We're bros, no need for thanks! I'm still waiting for you to join my studio so we can create greatness together!"As he finished speaking, the door to the studio creaked, and high heels could be heard clacking against the floor.Harvey tightened his grip on the pen. His eyes were alert, like a wary rabbit in the jungle, as he looked in the direction of the door."Oh, it's you, Mr. Hamerton!" Delilah smiled as she walked in, respectfully addressing Toph. "Why not join us in the living room? I'll have the chef prepare lunch. If you don't mind, please have lunch before you leave!"Althoug
Daniel took Maisie to visit Whitney. -Maisie stood on the deck, relishing the caress of the sea breeze. Seagulls soared in the sky, the sun casting its brilliance upon the sea like shimmering diamonds. The atmosphere was soft and gentle, akin to the feeling one experienced in a dream.As Maisie stretched her back, Daniel embraced her from behind. She blushed and gently pushed his chest.The bodyguards near the bow wisely averted their gazes."How's the scenery?" he asked gently.Maisie smiled and nodded. "I love it.""This is the Kinglakes' private sea territory. My aunt resides on the island, taking the boat wherever she goes."Maisie listened quietly and smiled. The true artist, it seemed, cared little for worldly things, living in a place secluded from the bustle of society.The Kinglakes' influential background surpassed her imagination. They were more than a mere affluent family—they owned a private sea territory."My aunt is my grandfather's favorite," Daniel said wit
"Take Ms. Maisie for a stroll on the island, Daniel." Whitney stood up, her elegant tone tinged with laziness. "I've prepared the guest room for the two of you. You can stay for a few days if you'd like. Your uncle and I will try our best to accommodate you. I'd like to rest now, so I won't be having dinner with you. Suit yourself!"As Daniel moved to follow her, he noticed Maisie looking visibly upset. He sighed as this was not what he had anticipated. Their first meeting had ended in a quarrel."Don't take it personally, Maisie," he comforted. "My aunt takes time to warm up to people. She's like this with everyone she meets for the first time. You'll find out after spending some time with her.""That's right," a kind-looking old man interjected. "Ignore her, Ms. Maisie! Women in menopause are like that!"Daniel chuckled, giving the old man a big hug. "Uncle!"Toby Edwards patted his shoulder, admiration filling his eyes. He was an upbeat and majestic old man, yet he didn't seem
Whitney was taken aback. She stared at Toby in disbelief for a moment before stammering, "I-I'm not taking care of her! I'm the host, after all… I must be a good host so that we don't embarrass our family!""Alright, alright, alright!" He chuckled and played along with his wife. "You're the lady of our time, a princess from a prestigious family. So, you must be generous and not make things difficult for a lady like Maisie!"Whitney rolled her eyes at him and giggled.He embraced her, leading her to the couch, then moved behind her to massage her shoulders. "I know you're stubborn! You actually welcome her more than anyone else.""Please!" She refused to admit it. "I don't like her. How does she deserve Daniel?""You old thing…""I know what happened to them back then!" Whitney turned to face Toby. "She only got together with him for money. She was pregnant, had a miscarriage, and clung onto him by pretending to have lost her mind!"It always works on men when women make a fuss!"
Toby, however, knew that Whitney regretted what she had done."Anya ruined her bright future for… Wilfred!" Tears welled in her eyes whenever she brought up the past."It was me who got her the opportunity to study abroad. Not only would she have attended a prestigious school, but she also would have collaborated with a couple of international screenwriters. Everything would have been different when she returned. She disappointed me!"But I…" She sobbed, saying, "I was too cruel to her. Why did I do that to my own student? I should have visited her. I wasn't there for her when she needed me the most, when she was most helpless. I was a terrible teacher!""Don't say that." Toby patted her shoulder. "You were really good to her.""If she wasn't held up by love, she would have been more powerful than Delilah in the industry!""That's right!" Toby smiled. "How could the students of the famous writer be any less than Delilah?""Of course!" She sat up straight. "Any of my students are
Daniel set out two wine glasses in the room, pouring the expensive red wine he had the butler fetch from the wine cellar. The beautiful, dark red color gleamed charmingly under the light. Maisie watched quietly, a happy smile playing on her lips.He handed her the wine before taking a sip himself. "Hmm, drink it. It's amazing!"Maisie felt shy. "You know I can't drink very well.""This wine has a great aftertaste. You'll regret it if you don't try it."She smiled and joined him, sitting on the rug beside the floor-to-ceiling window.The moonlight illuminated the room, and the wide window offered a view of the mountains and lush forest outside.Leaning on his shoulder, she felt a tranquil moment as if time itself were a quiet stream."The island is huge." Daniel chuckled. "It's quite rich in produce, and there are few people. It's pretty self-sufficient. There's a hunting ground behind the forest. And a horse training ground next to it. I used to always ride horses when I was you