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
"This is your aunt's house!" Maisie sounded genuine. "We can't do this in a senior's house…"Daniel was stunned."Can't you tell why she arranged two rooms for us?" She poked him gently. "Behave yourself and go to bed now! We should behave here. Your aunt might have a bad impression of me because of the past, so I don't want to make things worse…"He smiled helplessly and got up unwillingly. He rolled off the bed.Maisie was right. He was being absurd and had not thought things through.He was glad that she was sensible.After leaving, Daniel did not return to his room right away. Instead, he paced back and forth in the corridor. He could not sleep, so he took a cold shower before returning to the corridor again.He was confused about his exuberant energy that came out of nowhere. Just as he was sighing, his aunt's bright voice suddenly sounded behind him."What's wrong with you? Why are you not sleeping in the middle of the night and making a wish to the moon?"Daniel turned
"Oh, well…" Whitney stammered for a while, struggling to find words.Daniel chuckled and left, even making a funny face at her before his departure.Whitney waved her fist at him, a smile playing on her lips.Daniel's mood seemed to lift more and more since reuniting with Maisie.As Whitney pondered, love exerted a potent influence. It transformed a once brutal and cold man into a sunshine boy.Instead of heading to sleep, Whitney headed to her study. It was expansive—some popular bookstores weren't even half its size. The room was adorned with out-of-print books, antique vases, and paintings by renowned artists, giving it an air of sophistication.She sat at the desk and placed Maisie's work on it. After ordering some tea, she admired it in a relaxed manner.She went to the safe behind her and retrieved Anya's old work a moment later.A soft sigh escaped her lips.For some reason, she missed Anya more tonight, especially after meeting Maisie.Perhaps, in that moment when Mai