Chapter 989

Zuko licked his lips, feeling his throat dry. He was adept at concealing his emotions, never allowing them to show on his face.

However, lying was not his strong suit. He had been forbidden from lying since childhood.

Now, he found himself struggling to fabricate what might be the biggest lie of his life.

Lina's eyes grew increasingly suspicious. "Zeke, a meal at that hotel could cost someone's entire annual income, so..."

"I did something, but it's not illegal," he replied, his voice deep, avoiding direct eye contact.

In the past, he never looked people in the eyes because he simply didn't care. But now, he felt a pang of guilt, hence avoiding her gaze.

Her anxiety grew instantly. "What did you do?"

Zuko fell into a momentary silence. Immersing himself in the persona of "Zeke," he quickly brainstormed what kind of activity could have yielded such a large sum of money in a short period of time.

Then, he remembered his uncle, a renowned actor, in Southeast Asia. Although Zuko wa