The craft enthusiast who helped Niamh assemble the space fortress had warned her that the large structure could easily collapse once the box was opened.They specifically told Niamh to handle it with extreme care, as any damage would be her responsibility.Beau nodded earnestly, placing his trust in Niamh.Bridget, however, spoke sternly. "Ms. Jones, you can't do this! Beau's craft project hasn't been displayed or voted on yet, so giving him a spot on stage is unfair to the other children!"Niamh responded with a carefree laugh. "Do you know Madam Fisher is a board member of this kindergarten? Or that Beau's father is coming to the auditorium today to hear Beau's speech?"Beau's eyes lit up instantly. "Daddy is coming to school?"Bambi could hear Beau's excited voice while sitting in her seat, and her heart skipped a beat. Her own eyes brightened as well."Daddy's so busy with work—why would he come to school?" Beau asked in disbelief.Niamh grinned smugly. "If I tell him to co
Elara's gaze froze as she looked at Harvey.It was unbelievable. It was as if the sun had risen in the west. She had tried countless times to get Harvey to attend the kindergarten's parent-child activities, yet Harvey always said he was too busy.Even Ethel had scolded her, telling her not to bother Harvey with such trivial school events. She told Elara that raising and managing everything related to the children was her duty as Mrs. Fisher.Yet now, Niamh and Harvey were standing in front of her."Elara, I brought Harvey with me!" Niamh declared brightly.Harvey noticed the unfocused look in Elara's eyes as she stared at him, and he found it amusing.How could she not love him? The way she looked at him still showed love—he was sure of it.Harvey sat down next to Elara, with Niamh taking the seat on his other side.The other wealthy mothers in the room turned their attention to them, already buzzing with interest as though they were watching a drama unfold."When Beau showcas
"Beau, hurry up and take out the space fortress!" Niamh said.She reached for the box, but Beau immediately closed it while shaking his head frantically. "No! We can't take it out.""Take it out!" Niamh barked in a low voice. "I worked so hard to make this space fortress for you, and now you're hiding it? This is embarrassing!"Beau threw himself on top of the box, pressing his body against it to stop Niamh from opening it. Niamh tried to pull Beau away, but he clung to the box with all his strength.Suddenly, the box toppled over.Plastic straws spilled out in all directions, scattering across the stage. Among the straws was a pink sticky note that fluttered to the floor.The words on the note were caught by the camera, and it was projected onto the large screen for everyone to see.It wrote, "You think 200 bucks is enough to make someone stay up all night building a space fortress? Dream on!"Beau collapsed onto the stage floor, staring in shock as the straws rolled across th
Niamh quickly covered Beau's mouth. "What's the point of calling your mom now? Do you think she can make you win first place?"Beau choked back tears, and his blurred gaze shifted toward where Bambi stood.Bambi's craft project was already labeled as an Outstanding Work. She was standing in line at the edge of the stage, waiting for her turn to present."Mommy can definitely help Bambi win first place!"Niamh scoffed with a sneer. "Bambi won't win first place!"Beau's tearful eyes were filled with disbelief as he stared at Niamh."You don't believe me?"Niamh smirked and gently squeezed Beau's shoulder. "Just watch me!"Nearby, Bambi had a large plastic bag beside her, containing her craft project. With a sly smile, Niamh walked over and casually pressed her foot onto the bag.Bambi noticed Niamh's movement out of the corner of her eye. Though she was much shorter than Niamh, Bambi was quick.She grabbed Niamh's ankle and flipped her over completely with a strong tug."Ack!"
"Alright, alright, whatever you say." Niamh dismissed Bambi completely, not taking her seriously.The competition at this prestigious kindergarten was fierce, with many children producing better crafts and delivering more polished speeches than Bambi.Niamh had just looked over the other Outstanding Works crafts and believed Bambi's chances of taking first place were slim.Bambi walked onto the stage carrying her craft project. She wore her school uniform: a white long-sleeve blouse paired with a red plaid skirt. Her hair was styled into two round buns, giving her an endearing look.Her sweet and lively features caught the audience's eye. Her long lashes framed her dark, bright eyes beautifully.But whispers started among the parents as soon as Bambi stepped onto the stage."Doesn't the Fisher girl look a little chubby?" one murmured.Another parent snickered, "A little chubby? That's putting it lightly."The two shared a knowing laugh. In this elite school, the wealthy mothers
The children's speeches concluded, and Bambi unsurprisingly took first place for flawlessly reciting her presentation from memory.The principal of the kindergarten personally awarded Bambi a star. Meanwhile, Beau stood in the audience, watching as the children on stage received their accolades.For the first time in his life, he left an event empty-handed—not only without a prize but also as the subject of ridicule.Tears welled in Beau's eyes as he searched for Elara in the crowd."My darling!" Ethel approached and scooped Beau into her arms."Grandma!" Beau sobbed aloud.Ethel soothed him in a soft voice, "Don't cry, my darling. You'll always be number one to Grandma!"Beau replied while sniffling, "But Bambi got a star... Grandma, please tell Mommy to come back so she can do my homework! If not, I'll leave with Mommy too!"He knew well how much his grandmother doted on him, and his threat was sure to be effective.Ethel's tone immediately turned stern. "If you leave, you'l
"Grandma! Bambi hit me again!" Beau yelled.He started sobbing, while Bambi stood with her hands clenched into tight fists at her sides.Born with incredible strength, Bambi had unintentionally hurt Beau a few times when they were younger as she was unable to control her power. Since then, Ethel had always been on high alert around Bambi, constantly watching over her.Beau knew he could count on his grandmother to take his side, and played his part well. Ethel stormed forward with a sour expression, reaching out to rip the star off Bambi's chest."Bambi Fisher, hitting someone at school means you're unworthy of a star! I'll ensure the teachers revoke your eligibility for awards for the entire school year!"Beau, who was still clinging to Ethel's legs, pretended to cry as he buried his face in his hands. He was sneaking a glance at Bambi through his fingers.Meanwhile, Bambi stood rooted to the spot, and her vision grew blurry.Tears welled up in her eyes. She didn't want to cry,
The parents in the auditorium were glued to their phones, buzzing about the online uproar."The school is trending!""Madam Foster's identity has already been exposed!""The public really doesn't miss a thing. They didn't know Mr. Fisher got a divorce, but they could immediately tell Niamh is the mistress.""I can't stand Niamh Jones either. She's always draping herself over my husband.""Just two nights ago, when I went to pick up my drunk husband, she was sitting on Mr. Pitt's lap. Then, she casually tossed her bra onto Mr. Cox's face. My husband swears they were just messing around."As the parents gossiped animatedly, Ethel turned on the director, Peter Manford, and snapped, "Shut down the livestream now! If the Fisher family's reputation is tarnished, I'll sue you!"Peter wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Madam Foster, I've already cut the feed."The events that had unfolded earlier left Peter scrambling. By the time he regained his composure and stopped the broadcast, th
Elara sat in the chair beside the bed and noticed the dried blood caked beneath Leonard's fingernails.In Leonard's current condition, he couldn't bathe himself. The hospital would have assigned caregivers, but for someone as proud as him, it would take considerable mental preparation to accept being touched by strangers.Elara then stood and fetched a basin of water from the bathroom. She placed it on the bedside table, wrung out a damp cotton pad, and lifted one of Leonard's hands. She began cleaning him with gentle strokes.Leonard's eyes widened. His brain screamed to pull away, but his limbs refused to obey. Trapped in his useless body, he could only watch as Elara bent over his hand with quiet determination."Let me do that," Oliver offered hastily, jumping to his feet.To Oliver, Leonard's survival alone seemed miraculous—his cleanliness was the least of their concern."Get me some cotton swabs and toothpicks," Elara instructed instead.After a glance at Leonard, Oliver g
The next day, Elara lay on the bed as the psychiatrist conducted her postnatal psychological evaluation in the hospital room."After assessment, Ms. Jones, we've diagnosed you with postpartum depression. The Fisher family has assembled a 30-member medical team to help you through this period."When Elara woke, she learned she'd been unconscious all night. The doctor explained she'd experienced postnatal hypoglycemia."Does my husband know I fainted?" Elara asked."Madam Foster prefers Mr. Fisher not be troubled with such matters."The doctor's phrasing was diplomatic—Ethel's actual words were to keep Harvey uninformed so he wouldn't be bothered. After all these days Elara had spent in the hospital, no doctor had seen Harvey visit.Just then, the baby girl in the bassinet began whimpering.Elara's heart clenched. "Why is her voice hoarse?""She cried continuously after you collapsed," the doctor explained."Let me hold her." Despite foreseeing their inevitable separation, Elara
"You're delusional! Do you think the Fisher family is somewhere you can come and go as you please?"Ethel's face twisted instantly with rage. Zachary, playing the confused peacemaker, asked, "Elara, you just gave birth—why this sudden talk of divorce?"As if illuminated by some grotesque light, Elara stared at the couple who always played good cop, bad cop."Where was Harvey when I was in labor? I sent countless messages, made endless calls, yet they all vanished into thin air!""Why were you bothering him with so many calls?" Ethel shrieked, chastising her for being unreasonable."The Fisher family has provided you with the finest care—you delivered in a Fisher Corp hospital! Do you know how much this VIP suite costs? With your private nurses, you're burning through 10 grand a day!"Ethel jabbed a finger toward the window. "Look at this view, this location! Elara Jones, what more could you possibly want?"Zachary maintained his mediator's tone. "Elara, postpartum hormones are a
Oliver opened his mouth to ask Elara something, then thought better of it. He pressed his lips together.With detached calm, Elara took the divorce papers and walked away.When she returned to her hospital room, she found Ethel and Zachary standing by the bassinet. Zachary cradled a small bundle while Ethel cooed at the baby in his arms."My precious grandson is so adorable! Look at his nose and mouth. He looks just like his father."Zachary couldn't take his eyes off the swaddled infant. "I finally have a grandson."Elara drifted in like a ghost—ten months of pregnancy had turned her heart to ashes.The babies' birth brought no maternal joy. With her surgical wound split open, she moved like a bleeding zombie.Ethel's smile vanished when she noticed Elara. "Where have you been? You were wandering around while Beau's starving!"Ethel exchanged a satisfied glance with Zachary, clearly reveling in the choice. "It means handsome, you know—refined, noble. A name worthy of carrying
Elara's entire body turned cold, all surrounding sounds fading away as she stared blankly at the glowing "In Surgery" sign. Her heart hung suspended by an invisible thread.Leonard's assistant emerged from the elevator and noticed the scattered papers on the floor. Spotting Elara's name on the documents, Oliver crouched down and picked up the divorce agreement.When he looked up, he saw Elara standing motionless outside the operating room. "Ms. Jones?"Oliver approached quickly, urging her, "You just had a C-section. Please return to your room and rest."Elara's eyes were vacant, her dark hair cascading over shoulders that framed her bloodless face."Tell me," her pale lips trembled."What really happened to Leonard? His legs..."Just imagining the state of Leonard's legs made bile rise in her throat."Six months ago, several Dragonheart researchers developed mysterious illnesses with no discernible cause. Their families blamed the institute and went to the media."The pressur
Elara wandered the hospital corridors in a loose pale blue dress, like a lost ghost. She'd called Leonard multiple times, but no one answered.Finally, she reached Leonard's assistant."Where's Leonard? I can't reach his nephew, and now even he won't take my calls?"She wanted to divorce Harvey, but she'd just given birth. Though her in-laws disliked her, they'd never allow a divorce at this time.A divorce after she had given birth would damage Harvey's reputation, so the entire Fisher family would prevent it from happening.Only Leonard could intervene. As the Fisher family's most authoritative figure, his word could make her divorce possible."Ms. Jones, my apologies. Mr. Fisher has been hospitalized. When... When he wakes up, I'll inform him you're looking for him."Elara froze. She heard Oliver's voice trembling. "What happened to Leonard?"A terrible premonition settled over her as Oliver replied mechanically, "I'm afraid that's classified information."Elara pressed, "W
"Mr. Fisher, are you essentially handing Dragonheart over to me?" Elara asked.Leonard replied, "I want Dragonheart to enter a new era."He explained to Elara, "I've led Dragonheart for seven years. During that time, it operated quietly behind the scenes, but I've realized the world isn't the same as it once was."I'm not suited for the spotlight. So, I want to entrust Dragonheart to you."Ms. Jones, I'm counting on you to put Dragonheart on the map. I need you to bring more researchers into the limelight—to make them seen and celebrated!"A spring breeze seemed to sweep through the room, rippling across the lake-like depths of Elara's eyes."Mr. Fisher, your vision aligns perfectly with mine!"She tightened her grip on the contract. "What's the average salary for a regular researcher at Dragonheart?""Around 100 grand per year. Last year's average annual pay was roughly 180 grand when adding up various state subsidies."Elara responded, "Priscilla's Quantum Tech offers new gr
Leonard's eyes showed no emotion, and his tone was indifferent. "Don't think so."Seeing that Leonard didn't recognize the lady in the journal, Elara didn't press further."Maybe good-looking people just look alike." She offered herself a reasonable explanation.Leonard watched her, then brought up another matter. "I've already assigned people to keep strict watch over Harvey. He's sleeping in a communal bunk now and getting monitored day and night."Elara asked, "Is Harvey at Atkina Church?"Leonard nodded and handed her his iPad.On the screen was a video sent by Harvey's guards. In it, Harvey wore gray work clothes and black rubber boots, carrying a large plastic bucket in each hand. Upon closer look, he even had labor gloves on.He was hauling the heavy buckets toward the vegetable patch."He's…" Elara gasped."Fertilizing the garden."She fell silent for a few seconds, then peered at the iPad again, as if doubting her own eyes. This was unbelievable!This was a man who
Harvey avoided the cameras when he snuck into the ward, causing the security guards to not instantly notice his tracks.Only after Elara brushed her teeth did her mouth feel fresh. She asked a security guard, "Did you guys catch Harvey yet?"The security guard replied, "We've caught him. Prof. Fisher has instructed that if anyone bothers you, we should first lock him up. Once it's morning, we'll report this incident to Prof. Fisher."Elara nodded and thanked them. "Thank you for your hard work. All of you may head out."Once the security guards had left, Elara and Lesley remained together.Lesley put her hand behind Elara's head. She kept glancing at Elara. This time, she dared not close her eyes easily."Do you want to go to Melcina with me?" asked Lesley out of the blue.Elara asked in return, "You want to return to Melcina?"Lesley looked down. "If you plan to return to Melcina, then I'll go with you."Elara replied, "When I was 18, I had the chance to choose whether I shou