Tobias said, "Mariam and Cedric are nice. They'll love anything you buy for them.""Really?" Lucy was doubtful. She asked, "Mariam must be a pretty lady. I'm sure she likes to take care of her figure and skin. So, I'm going to buy her some skincare products. Women usually love this stuff."Tobias hummed in response. He wasn't that interested in women's skincare products."What about Cedric?""Here's the thing about him." Tobias chuckled and said, "He had always been dorky and dull. He loves reading books. I think he'll like it if you buy him some popular books."Lucy nodded. "Great. I'm going to need you to wheel me around so I can buy them gifts, darling."Tobias saw how mischievous she was and chuckled. "What if I say no?"Lucy was surprised. Then, she gave him a pitiful look, as if someone had hurt her. "I'll have to ask someone else to help me, then.""Tsk. Don't you know that you'll make me happy by kissing me? That way, I'll be more than willing to wheel you around for sh
Joey and Mariam sat on the couch. The former was irritable. She checked the time and looked out the door occasionally. Meanwhile, Mariam drank her tea leisurely. She was calm and graceful.On the other hand, Cedric stared at a family picture in the corner and went into a trance. His eyes darkened when he saw his own father's and Zayne's individual pictures. "Mr. and Mrs. Ripley are back." Everyone came to their senses when they heard Walter's voice. They directed their gaze toward the door. Joey said, "You're back, Tobe. Hurry up and greet Mariam and Cedric."Tobias nodded and responded, "Okay."He wheeled Lucy gently and carefully into the living room. At first, Cedric rested his gaze on Tobias. They had grown up together, and it had been many years since they had last seen each other. Both of them smiled as they glanced at each other. However, Cedric's smile was obviously different from before. It was too bad that Tobias was fully focused on Lucy and didn't see it. T
Lucy was so mad that she almost laughed. She shoved her displeasure down deep and said calmly, "I'm legally married to Tobias. You're his aunt, so that makes you my aunt."I might not have a family on my parent's side, but I have a warm family now that I've married him. Wouldn't you agree?"Also, I can stop calling you by your name if that bothers you. However, the outsiders would think that the Ripleys lack manners and proper upbringing if they saw it. That, in turn, would humiliate Tobias greatly.""Ha! You have a sharp tongue. You just have to talk back to me, don't you?" Mariam scanned Lucy from head to toe and added coldly, "I would've slapped you right across your face if you weren't half-disabled right now. That would've taught you a lesson."Lucy wiped the smile off her face and said with a solemn expression, "This is the first time we've met each other, Mariam. I don't see why you'd harbor such hostility toward me. I don't think I've done anything to offend you."Mariam
Tobias had taken a few bites of the dishes and hadn't been able to eat anymore. Cedric had tried to stop him, but he had ignored it and stubbornly come out to check on Lucy. He had rushed out and seen Mariam putting Lucy in a difficult position. He was about to step forward and help the latter.However, Lucy handled the situation calmly and confidently. She even retorted to Mariam without any fear. Tobias was amused by her sharp tongue. He saw her in a new light again. Lucy took the gift out and saw how surprised Mariam was. So, she said, "I bought it over the counter.""You bought it over a counter in Azureville? That's not possible. You must've bought a counterfeit to fool me!"Tobias sighed. He stepped forward and said, "I bought the gifts with Lucy, Mariam. If you suspect her, you suspect me."Mariam had been yelling at Lucy a moment ago. However, she immediately adopted a pleasant and tender look when Tobias was around. Mariam said with a smile, "That's not what I mean
Joey chuckled awkwardly. "Are you guys done with dinner? The fruits and snacks are coming up next. "Have a seat and savor them." Joey didn't dare to pull any tricks in front of Tobias. She gave Mariam a look, who understood her intentions immediately. Mariam said, "That's right. Take a seat, guys. I'm going to prepare some fruit slices for everyone."Tobias and Cedric sat across from each other, while Lucy sat next to Tobias. As the three of them chatted, Joey pulled Mariam into the kitchen.She asked, "Why did you let Lucy bribe you, Mariam? Are you going to work with her and pick on me?"A mix of emotions washed over Mariam. She had no qualms with Lucy and had only targeted her to help out Joey. With that said, Mariam had grown fond of Lucy after receiving the gift from her. Naturally, she didn't have the heart to pick a bone with Lucy anymore.However, Mariam felt a little vexed now that Joey was questioning her. She pondered and said, "Relax, Joey. I have other ways to te
Sasha said, "We're going to check Lucy's emerald pendant and see if it's the same one you guys were talking about."The news made Rhett very excited. He had tried his best to persuade Brett to do another DNA test with Lucy, but Brett hadn't budged. If Rhett could find the family heirloom, Brett would surely agree to do the DNA test again.Rhett said, "Alright. However, I went overseas when I was very young. I've never seen the pendant, so I don't know what it looks like. "I'll go with you to check it out and take a photo. Then, I can show it to Brett; he's very familiar with the pendant, so he should know."Sasha nodded. "That settles it, then."They continued to chat until the waiter served their dishes. Both of them were about to dig into their food when Sasha's phone rang. She saw that it was a number she didn't recognize and rejected the phone call. However, it was a number Rhett knew by heart. With just one glance, he realized who the caller was. "Why didn't you answ
Back in Hudson Manor, Maya went to a secluded attic. It was her secret spot. She was the only one who knew everything that was placed there.She turned on the surveillance equipment and listened in on Brett's voice."You're such a cutie, kitty. You're male, too. Now, what name should I give you? You have white furs. How about Lulu? "Wait a minute. That's my younger sister's nickname. If she finds out about it, she's going to give me a hard time."Snowball isn't a good name, either. I'll name you Flash—after a character from Justice League. You're going to be the coolest kitten of all time."Maya could hear the sound of something rubbing together and savored it with infatuation. She listened to it and imagined that she was the white kitten and that Brett was touching her affectionately. All of a sudden, her phone rang, disrupting her fantasy.A mix of iciness and impatience flashed in her eyes. She checked her phone, and a hint of fear appeared on her face. "Hi, Dad.""Where t
As far as Tobias knew, the guests they welcomed were always ones who were close to the family. Maya's presence was somewhat of a buzzkill in his eyes.What was more, he hadn't even investigated what had happened that night. Now, Joey was stirring up the pot by making Maya sit next to him. Joey was clearly kicking the hornet's nest here. "Why did you ask her to come here, Mom?"Tobias' face turned red with rage. His eyes brimmed with resentment when he looked at Maya. On the other hand, Maya was used to receiving looks like that. She looked detached, like an obedient puppet that anyone could walk over."What's the problem here? She's my guest, too. Don't mind him, Maya. Have a seat and chat with us. "I'm sure you won't mind if I ask Maya to sit next to Tobe, Lucy, right?"Joey kept provoking Lucy. If the latter showed the faintest sign of jealousy, Joey would make sure to teach her a lesson.To Joey's surprise, Lucy giggled and said, "I don't mind it, but I do need to have a