Ch. 1191..1200

Chapter 1191

Chapter 1191

Mollie's eyes widened, and she was left stunned.

Taking advantage of the calm after the chaos, lan ordered his men to escort her out.

The colleagues who had gathered to watch were shocked and quickly dispersed, pretending as if nothing had happened.

Lina felt a pang in her heart, realizing that Linda had gone out of her way to protect her. The image of Linda's efforts remained etched in her mind. She fought back tears and mustered a smile when their eyes

met.

Linda spoke softly, pulling out a draft from her bag. "Lina, Renee, I came here today to give this to the two of you."

They opened it and looked inside. It was Mr. Sam's old work, each line meticulously drawn by him.

"Originally... I planned to quietly give it to you and leave. I didn't expect to encounter those people..." Linda shook her head. "Nic has told me many times not to interfere with your work, but I couldn't restrain myself today...

"Both of you will have a different status in the company now," she said, taking their hands. "But this is great. You can do whatever you want! The Thompsons will always support you!" The two girls smiled and embraced Linda.

Linda patted their backs and heads, her smile reflecting the realization that destiny had blessed her with two daughters.

"Alright, let's go check out your new office upstairs!" Linda turned to Melissa and hesitated for a moment. "Can I... buy you a cup of coffee?"

Abigail disguised herself, wearing a baseball cap and large sunglasses. Dressed casually in a T-shirt and jeans, she blended in with the crowd, appearing no different from an ordinary person. Accompanied by her assistant, she casually entered the Thompsons' Supremacy Building and positioned themselves in a corner of the lobby.

"Ms. Abigail, the intern is currently working on the film studio project. I've heard she's hardworking and well-liked. By the way, she studies architectural design and has published several theses, earning numerous scholarships..."

"Can you tell me her name?" Abigail inquired, looking at the back of the photograph. "Is it this one... Lina Jenner?"

The assistant nodded with seriousness.

"How did you find this out? Can we trust the information?"

"I-I found it after seeking a lot of assistance!"

Abigail furrowed her brow. "Did you get scammed?"

The assistant blinked innocently. "Ms. Abigail, I don't think anyone scammed me for this!"

Unbeknownst to the assistant, she had made a terrible mistake. She even tapped her chest to reassure Abigail.

"Ms. Abigail, although investigating people isn't my strong suit, I did my best to gather information for you! Now it's up to you to decide what to do next!"

Abigail bit her lip, feeling as if a heavy boulder was pressing against her heart.

The photograph showed Lina, a girl with flawless skin and kind eyes that sparkled like clear crystals.

Abigail was certain that anyone would fall for such an innocent face.

However...

Just as Abigail was becoming melancholic, her assistant suddenly nudged her. "Look over there, Ms. Abigail!"

Abigail's heart tightened as she followed the direction her assistant pointed at. A girl with a perfect face and captivating charisma was slowly descending the stairs.

Abigail clutched the photograph, her hand trembling, and compared it to the person multiple times. She confirmed that the girl was indeed Lina from the photograph!

Jacob entered through the door at that moment, holding two drinks and waving graciously at Lina.

The photograph crumpled in Abigail's hand!

She watched them intently, unable to look away. An indescribable feeling surged within her.

She observed Jacob handing the drinks to Lina, his smile reserved solely for her.

That radiant smile was meant only for Lina at that moment...

And she was even more beautiful than the photograph.

Chapter 1192

Chapter 1192

Lina's beauty was so unconventional that even Abigail, who had been in the entertainment industry for a long time and had seen many beauties, was captivated by her. Intense sadness weighed on Abigail like a giant rock, crushing her spirit.

She stood there, lost in her thoughts until her assistant called out to her several times.

"What's wrong, Ms. Abigail?" the assistant asked.

Abigail didn't respond directly. She glanced at Lina and muttered, "If I were a man, I'd choose her without a second thought."

"What do you mean?" the assistant inquired.

"Forget it." Abigail turned to her assistant. "She's really beautiful."

"Oh..."

"He even bought her drinks... It must be sweet. Seeing them together must be sweet too." Abigail felt a mix of sadness and envy.

Having a crush was like performing in mime. No matter how passionately she performed on stage, the people in the audience couldn't hear anything.

However, she didn't hear what Jacob said to Lina.

"Zuko made this caramel bubble tea for you, and Toph made this almond milk for Renee! The young heirs have been addicted to making not just milk teas but all sorts of desserts and snacks lately. They'll be serving them to you in the future, so stay tuned!"

"I'm sorry, Jacob. You're so busy, yet they made you do the delivery! By the way, why didn't they come themselves?" Lina asked.

"Because..." He smiled. "Mrs. Hamerton asked them to stay and clean the kitchen!"

Lina smiled happily, expressing her gratitude. After receiving the drinks, she waved goodbye.

"Ms. Abigail, Ms. Abigail!" the assistant softly reminded her. "Mr. Welsh has left. Should we... go too?"

"Oh, sure."

Abigail felt down, but as soon as she turned around, someone patted her shoulder.

She was startled when she saw a pair of crystal-like eyes.

"May I ask if you're here for the interview?"

Linda sat across from Melissa, feeling a rush of complicated emotions as she watched her helplessly.

After a long silence, Linda poured a cup of coffee and carefully pushed it toward Melissa.

Melissa was taken aback. She panicked slightly and received the coffee with both hands, trembling so much that she almost spilled it and scalded herself.

"Look at me..." Melissa laughed at herself. "I can't even hold a cup of coffee properly. I'm useless."

Linda's fingers tightened around the cup of coffee. There was a hint of resentment in her eyes, but it quickly dissipated/

A soft voice inside her whispered, "Let go."

Suddenly, her heart ached.

What if she didn't let go? Should she call the police and reopen the case from 20 years ago, potentially sending Melissa to prison?

If she did that, she would lose Lina forever.

She could endure anything, but losing her daughter again was unimaginable. It would destroy her.

Linda took a few deep breaths, maintaining a natural expression as she looked at Melissa.

"I-I'm really useless." Melissa forced a smile and said, "Only you could stand up for Lina after what happened today."

"Don't say that. I know you love her deeply too."

"What's the use of loving her?" Melissa shook her head. "I can't protect her when things go wrong. I watched her get bullied, and I couldn't punish those people... She's all grown up now. What she needs isn't just food and shelter but a bigger platform to shine. A mother like me would only be a hindrance to her."

She glanced up at Linda and immediately looked down again. With great difficulty, she added, "After all, I'm not her mother."

Chapter 1193

Chapter 1193

What Melissa said struck a delicate nerve in Linda's heart.

In the past, she would have charged at her, strangled her, and even slapped her. Or maybe she would have asked lan to do it, just like how he dealt with Mollie. She would have allowed him to be as brutal as possible.

But she couldn't do that anymore.

She took a few deep breaths and tried to calm herself and stop the trembling. Then she looked at Melissa calmly.

"Don't say that." Linda's voice was soft. "You've been her mother for 20 years. You have every right to be called her mother."

Melissa was shocked, and tears instantly streamed down her face. "But I stole those 20 years..."

As soon as she said that, it felt like a heavy rock crushed their hearts simultaneously.

Linda could hardly breathe, desperately trying not to cry.

Finally, Melissa let go. After 20 years, she could finally face the truth.

She asked herself, if she hadn't been sick, if fate hadn't led Lina to her real parents, would she have been able to let go?

Definitely not.

She was just an ordinary person with both light and darkness within her.

But now she regretted it.

Her illness was probably karma. Even God couldn't bear to see her take someone else's daughter. That was why she was afflicted with a terminal illness. After she died, she wouldn't separate the mother and daughter anymore.

Melissa quietly sobbed, the taste of the coffee in her mouth terribly bitter.

"I'm sorry..." she said to Linda. "I'm truly sorry!"

Linda heard a ringing in her ears. She clenched her fists again, trembling.

Not all "sorrys" could bring forgiveness. Sorry couldn't make up for the 20 years of separation between mother and daughter. It couldn't heal the pain Linda had endured for two decades.

But what else could Melissa say besides sorry?

Forcing a smile, Linda handed her a tissue. "Stop apologizing. I can't blame you. If you and your husband hadn't taken Pammy away, she would have died in that sea accident." "But it's still our fault..."

"Ms. Melissa..." Linda hesitated for a moment before extending her hand. In the end, she didn't touch the back of Melissa's hand and withdrew her own. "Can you tell me about... my daughter's childhood?" Melissa was taken aback, sniffing to hold back her tears.

She then began recounting memories of Lina's upbringing.

The first full sentences she wrote, the first time she fed herself with a spoon, when she started running and jumping, her time in kindergarten, primary school, and secondary school...

The panic when she had her first period...

Giving Lina all the money Melissa had when she received her first scholarship...

Feeling shy and scared when she received her first love letter from a boy. Melissa had secretly thrown away the pink envelope.

Melissa shared each detail as if telling a cherished story. She remembered everything vividly.

However, the more she remembered, the more Linda's heart ached. She should have been the one to experience all those moments with her daughter.

"It seems like you took great care of her." Linda smiled and said. "You treated her as your own."

Melissa suddenly stopped. She opened her mouth, stuttering as she asked, "W-Will you forgive me?"

Linda felt her heart tighten.

She fell silent for a moment, then honestly replied, "I'm sorry, but I can't forgive you completely."

Melissa was stunned, her eyes filled with sadness.

This time, Linda gently placed her hand on the back of Melissa's hand. Looking into her eyes, she enunciated each word. "But I want to thank you."

Chapter 1194

Chapter 1194

"Thank you for loving my daughter, thank you for... saving her life."

Melissa glanced at Linda, her expression filled with slight shock. Before she could utter a word, she suddenly felt a sharp pain coursing through her body. She bent over, her face grew pale, and sweat dripped down her face.

Lina ushered Abigail into her office. Meanwhile, Renee was in the drafting room, collaborating with colleagues on design research.

Wanting to ensure the celebrity's privacy, Lina closed the door and swiftly rolled down the blinds. She even went to fetch coffee, ensuring no one would enter or interrupt.

Lina's thoughtfulness made Abigail feel a tinge of guilt. Abigail removed her sunglasses, revealing her beautiful eyes, and sincerely smiled.

"I knew you were extraordinary the moment I saw you downstairs!" Lina exclaimed, sitting across from her and beaming like a fangirl. "We've had celebrities coming in for interviews to become the film studio's ambassador these past few days. I never expected you to be here today! By the way, who did your agent speak to?"

Abigail quickly waved her hand. "Oh no, no! I'm sorry, I'm not here for the ambassador interview."

"Then why are you here?" Lina asked.

"I'm here because..." Abigail bit her lip.

She couldn't reveal that she had come just to see Lina!

However, her trip hadn't been in vain. The moment she met Lina, she understood why Jacob chose her as his girlfriend. If she were a man, she would like Lina too. She would spoil and shower her with love, ensuring that no harm came her way.

Abigail smiled playfully and came up with an excuse. "I-I don't have any events today, so I decided to take a walk. I happened to pass by the Thompson Group and thought I'd take a look."

Lina was curious. "What is there to see here?"

Abigail chuckled mischievously. "You, because you're good-looking!"

Lina smiled in response.

They chatted for a while, expecting some awkward silence since it was their first meeting. To their surprise, there was no trace of discomfort. They engaged in passionate conversations on various topics. It felt as if they had met each other too late.

Unbeknownst to them, time flew by, and they continued talking well into the evening.

Lina was taken aback when Renee knocked on the door, holding a stack of design drafts.

"Don't worry." Abigail stood up, and they exchanged contact information. "We can continue our conversation next time. And if we can't meet in person, we can send voice recordings, have video calls, or whatever works best for us, anytime!"

Lina smiled. "You must be busy. I wouldn't want to disturb you."

"I'm not!" Abigail quickly replied. "I'm always free whenever you want to meet!"

"Sure, let's stay in touch," Lina said.

To avoid drawing attention, Abigail put on her sunglasses and cap.

Lina escorted her all the way to the underground parking lot and left only after seeing her get into the car.

Relaxing in her seat, Abigail reclined and wore a grateful smile. Unlocking her phone, she added an "A" before Lina's name. That way, Lina's name would appear at the top of her contact list.

Perplexed, her assistant asked with a blank expression, "Ms. Abigail, did you place your love rival's contact at the top so you can tear her apart whenever you want?"

Abigail frowned and glared at her assistant. "What nonsense are you saying?"

"Then..."

"She's the person Jacob likes!" Abigail declared earnestly. "And she's worth it!"

"So?"

"So, I like her too!"

The assistant felt as if she was struck by lightning, unsure of what to do next.

Chapter 1195

Chapter 1195

Abigail took out a pen from her bag gently, lost in thought as she held it.

Her assistant had to call her a couple of times to snap her out of it when they arrived at their destination.

Jackie rushed out of the recording studio, opening the door himself and greeting Abigail with a bright smile. "This reality show has high ratings. It's the perfect opportunity for your comeback! Let's seize it, darling. Go to makeup and look at the script. We'll follow the director's instructions, okay?

"I've talked to the team, asking them not to edit the scenes as they please."

Abigail regained her resting bitch face and tossed her sunglasses, which conveniently landed in her assistant's hand.

"Let's go, darling!" Jackie was willing to go along with whatever Abigail wanted. "Don't worry. I've spoken to them. If they do anything wrong, we can sue them! But there's something..."

"What?"

"Can you smile, darling?" He gestured a smile with both hands, exaggerating it. "Despite being known as an intimidating beauty, it would be nice to give your fans something positive sometimes. Your popularity would grow even more!"

"Really?" Abigail scoffed. "Smiling is scary. How is that a good thing?"

"Umm..."

"Who told you that Ms. Abigail doesn't smile?" the assistant interjected. "I saw her smiling the entire afternoon!" Jackie was perceptive and instantly guessed that Abigail must have met someone extraordinary. "Who was it?" Abigail glanced lazily at him. "None of your business!"

"You..."

Jackie couldn't do anything to her.

Seeing the actress stride toward the recording studio, he could only follow behind and continue nagging.

"You need to work harder to become the film studio's ambassador! I've contacted people from the Thompson Group. We must win this battle! If you can't do it, we'll go to Ms. Cordelia. She's close to the Thompsons. We can ask her for help!

"Focus on your career, darling! Men and romance are fleeting, you understand?"

Abigail paid no attention to his words. Her focus was on her phone.

She was looking at Lina's social media updates.

Lina kept her posts clean, mainly showcasing her design work with occasional construction knowledge.

Abigail's eyes lit up. Lina was incredibly talented! Despite her petite and pretty appearance, her style was unconventional and admirable.

Unconsciously, Abigail smiled. A talented girl with the equally talented Jacob-the perfect match.

"Darling, did you hear what I said about being the ambassador?"

"Mm-hmm." She mumbled, "As long as you're happy."

Jackie was confused. "So, you're agreeing to it?"

"Yes, she's worth it."

"Darling? Your Highness?"

Abigail put away her phone, displaying a relaxed smile. Her steps were lighter as she entered the recording studio.

Jackie grabbed the assistant, looking blank. "Is there something wrong with her?"

The assistant scratched her head, thinking that something must be wrong with Abigail since she had saved her love rival's contact as a priority.

"I suppose..." She pouted and quickly followed Abigail.

Just as Jackie was at a loss, his phone rang suddenly.

A manager from the Thompson Group was calling.

"Are you kidding me, Jackie? It's a piece of cake for Abigail to become the ambassador. Why did you come to me?"

"What do you mean? Who else would I turn to?"

"Ha! She has become best friends with the Thomsons' daughter. Didn't you know?"

Linda waited outside the ward when she heard the doctor say, "She has breast cancer, and the cancer cells have spread. If only she had treated it earlier, it wouldn't have been this severe." Stunned, Linda blurted out, "Is it too late to treat it now?"

The doctor frowned, looking serious. "It's a bit too late now."

"What..."

"Cancer cells spread rapidly. She missed the best treatment window. Even if she starts treatment now, it can only delay her death."

Linda's heart skipped a beat.

Everything was so dramatic she couldn't accept it.

Melissa had fainted while they were having coffee. They had been reminiscing about Lina's childhood before she collapsed.

She had heard what the doctor said after rushing her to the hospital in a panic.

After calming down a bit, Linda walked slowly into the ward. Melissa looked pale, having just received half a bottle of IV drip. She lay in bed, looking sickly.

Linda was unsure about her feelings. She approached and sat next to her, gently holding her hand before letting go. She suddenly realized how fleeting life could be. Melissa forcefully opened her eyes, and her lips moved.

"I'll ask Pammy to come." Linda's voice was firm. "You're sick, and she won't let you be!"

"No-"

Melissa immediately stopped her. However, she started coughing intensely, sweating from the effort.

Linda fetched a glass of water for her.

Just as she brought the water, Melissa grabbed her hand as if clinging to her last hope.

"Don't tell her....

"Don't tell Lina!"

Linda felt a pang in her heart. "Why not? S-She's your daughter too."

"I don't want her to worry." Melissa smiled. "She's my daughter, and I only want the best for her. I don't want her to see the bad stuff.

"Lina is a loyal child. If she finds out I'm sick, she will drop everything to take care of me.

"But I don't want that! She has just reunited with your family. She should stay by her biological parents' side. No matter how useless I am, the least I can do is not drag her down!"

Melissa coughed a few times, clutching her painful chest.

"The day I leave this world, I want her to remember me when I was healthy... I don't want her to see me undergoing chemotherapy, losing my hair, going through surgeries, and becoming terribly thin... I don't want that!"

Tears welled up as she held Linda's hand tightly.

"Mrs. Thompson, please keep this a secret for me... It's my only request. Please, say yes!"

Chapter 1196

Chapter 1196

Linda returned home feeling heavy-hearted. Meanwhile, peals of laughter and chatter echoed from the living room, catching her attention before she entered. She stood at the door, observing for a moment.

The kids were back.

Zuko and Toph shuttled plates from the kitchen, causing concern for Aunt Evelyn and the maids, who couldn't stop them.

Linda glanced into the kitchen and saw a complete mess. It was evident that an intense battle had taken place there.

Lina and Renee appeared unusually cheerful. The table was filled with the brothers' cooking, though it looked rather unappetizing.

The brothers insisted on explaining themselves. "Even though they don't look good, they taste amazing, we promise!"

Linda burst into laughter while standing at the door. "So, the young heirs didn't dare to ruin the kitchen at home because of your strict mother, and instead, you came here?"

The four kids were simultaneously stunned, turning to look at the door.

Zuko and Toph smiled sheepishly and quickly welcomed Linda inside.

Lina grabbed Linda's arm, guiding her to sit. She handed Linda cutlery, urging her to taste the boys' cooking.

"Hmm..." Linda pretended to be serious, lifting her gaze to meet their eyes. "Are you trying to impress your future mother-in-law?"

Zuko was taken aback, surprised that Toph was the first to respond.

"Absolutely!" Toph spoke sweetly. "But you're mistaken. You're not our future mother-in-law!"

"What?"

"We've watched you since we were kids. To me, you're no different from my real mother! So this food is a gesture of our love for our mother!" Toph declared.

Linda didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She gently flicked his head.

The little boy she used to carry was now a big, tall man. He towered over her.

But to her, they would always be her children. They would always need their parents' protection.

At that moment, she thought of Melissa, who was in the hospital, and looked at Lina. Linda's eyes betrayed her complex emotions. She smiled gently and asked, "Why did you finish work so early today?" "Our colleagues have been treating us differently ever since you showed up!" Renee chimed in with a smile. "The supervisor is absent since Mollie left, so the manager is temporarily in charge. When she saw us, she acted as if a mouse had seen a cat and didn't assign us any work!"

Linda smirked, as that was precisely what happened.

Their behavior mirrored how they acted around Nicholas!

"Although that's the case, we still need to find work to do ourselves," Lina remarked. "Renee and I have more responsibilities for this project now."

"Yes, but you still need to rest," Linda said, pleased by her daughter's maturity. She gently tucked Lina's messy hair behind her ears and quietly observed her.

Linda felt a pang of sadness. She sighed, saying, "Spend more time with your mom whenever you have the chance."

Lina was taken aback.

Linda smiled. "I'm talking about your mom from Jangasas."

"Yes, I know," Lina said, leaning her head on Linda's shoulder in a playful manner. "I'll spend time with her. I must also spend more time with you! I love both my moms. I won't play favorites!" Linda choked up, patting the back of Lina's hand.

"Hey, what about my mom?" Toph interrupted, clearing his throat and assuming a serious demeanor. "She's your mother-in-law. Watch out- Ouch!"

Zuko flicked his head before he could finish his sentence.

Standing behind Toph, Zuko wore a stern expression. He was still annoyed that he couldn't respond to Linda's question earlier!

"Zuko! You attacked me by surprise?"

"So what?"

Toph widened his eyes and charged at him, roaring!

In the next moment, the brothers grappled with each other like two fighting kittens...

Lina and Renee burst into laughter while Linda smiled helplessly. She quickly intervened, asking them to stop.

"Okay, that's enough," Lina said, checking the time as she stood up. She looked at them. "Seems like I'll have to skip this meal. Take good care of my mom!" Zuko was taken aback. "Where are you going?"

Chapter 1197

Chapter 1197

Lina smiled and said, "I'm meeting Abigail."

Toph instinctively looked at Zuko.

Zuko frowned and asked Lina, "Why are you looking at me?"

Toph grinned and asked, "Why do you have such a big reaction?"

Zuko secretly reached his finger and poked Toph's armpit hard.

Toph screamed and quickly sat between Lina and Renee.

Zuko cleared his throat, walked over to Lina, held her hands, and gently asked, "Why are you meeting her?"

Lina replied, "It's a girls' thing. Why are you being so nosy?"

Zuko was taken aback and rendered speechless.

Lina pursed her lips and said, "I want to talk to her about the ambassadorship."

"Ambassadorship?"

"Yes, the film studio project needs an ambassador," Lina explained.

The tip of Zuko's nose became misty with sweat. "Aren't there many celebrities who could talk about it?"

"But none of them are as good as Abigail," Lina retorted.

"You like her? It has to be her?"

Lina smiled and squeezed Zuko's cheeks, blinking her playful eyes. "It's just girl admiration. You won't be jealous, right?" "I..."

"Be good. Have dinner with my mom and make sure she takes her medicine. Okay?" Lina asked.

Zuko could only nod.

Lina quickly bid farewell to Linda and left the Thompson residence.

Toph couldn't hold in his laughter any longer. He burst out laughing. "Hahahaha!"

The hysterical laughter made Linda's heart skip a beat!

Zuko's face darkened...

"I won't be eating at home either," Zuko said flatly as he got up. He then looked at Toph and said, "Do what Lina asked me to do." "What?" Toph scratched his head. "Where are you going?"

"I'm meeting Jacob," Zuko replied.

It was dusk, the busiest time in Centrolis during summer. The streets were filled with people, and the night markets buzzed with noise.

Among the regular people, Abigail seemed to belong to a different world while waiting at the street corner. She wore a wide hat and big sunglasses that covered her face. The ordinary white T-shirt and jeans looked extraordinary on her.

Lina was dressed casually too. She spotted Abigail in the crowd with just a glance.

"You feel uneasy being here, right?" Lina patted her shoulder and giggled. "Let's go to the beach!"

"Huh?" Abigail had chosen this place, thinking Lina would enjoy the bustling street. She didn't expect Lina to be considerate of her.

"It's right over there." Lina pointed not far away. "It's my family's private beach. We won't be disturbed there, and there won't be any paparazzi!" Abigail nodded and followed her.

As they crossed the street, Abigail took the initiative to stand where the traffic was to protect Lina.

Lina was taken aback. When she looked up, she saw Abigail smiling brightly.

"You're younger than me, right?" Abigail asked. "I'm 25 this year."

"Yeah, I'm just slightly younger," Lina smiled. "I haven't graduated from university yet."

"So I'll be the older sister," Abigail said. "From now on, I'll protect you no matter what!"

Chapter 1198

Chapter 1198

Lina chuckled.

In her eyes, Abigail resembled more of a heroine than a sister.

Lina had seen Abigail's movies before they met. She always played the roles of a fierce, powerful woman or a wild heroine.

Abigail's marketing team portrayed her as an intimidating and quiet person.

However, when they finally met, Lina soon discovered that Abigail was different from her on-screen persona.

Abigail loved to talk, smile, eat, and play. She possessed a childlike innocence.

Just like their current meeting, Lina thought Abigail enjoyed being among the crowd, willingly donning her armor on a hot day to have fun with the people. Soon, they arrived at the Thompsons' private beach.

The atmosphere there was different from the streets-they entered a tranquil world. It felt as if transparent glass separated the beach from the rest of the world.

A gentle, cool breeze caressed their ears, and the sand beneath their feet was soft.

When they looked up, they were greeted by a sky filled with stars.

Abigail removed her hat and sunglasses, stretched her body, and took a few deep breaths. A heartfelt smile graced her face.

It had been a while since she had felt so relaxed.

"Wow, this is amazing!" Abigail exclaimed. "Being rich is so nice!"

Lina burst into laughter at the second part of Abigail's statement.

"Oh yeah." Abigail glanced at her curiously, "You're the Thompsons' daughter, so why is your last name Jenner?"

"Well, it's quite a long story," Lina replied. "My adoptive parents are the Jenners. I grew up with them, so I took their last name."

"Adoptive parents?" Abigail was taken aback. "Were they good to you?"

"Absolutely!" Lina answered without hesitation. "They treated me as their own!"

"Oh..." Abigail nodded and continued to inquire. "And what about your boyfriend? Is he treating you well?"

Lina was surprised. "How did you know I have a boyfriend?"

A flicker of sadness crossed Abigail's eyes, but she quickly regained her smile. "I saw him."

Lina nodded.

Zuko had visited her a few times, and they would always meet outside the building. Perhaps Abigail had spotted him during one of her visits.

Meanwhile, Abigail felt a mix of emotions within herself. She would be dishonest if she claimed not to be jealous. In her heart, she only had eyes for Jacob.

Unfortunately, he didn't reciprocate her feelings, leaving her to endure her bitterness alone. But she was eager to know what he was like when he was in love. He held a high position in her heart, and she hoped he would live up to her expectations.

Abigail asked cautiously, "Lina, is your boyfriend treating you well?"

Lina blushed slightly and smiled.

"We're planning to get married," she replied. "We made a marriage agreement when we were young."

"Oh..." Abigail's face betrayed her sadness.

No wonder Jacob hadn't made any moves even when Abigail pursued him all the way to Southeast Aciatic. They had a marriage agreement from a young age!

But now that she thought about it, it showed his loyalty.

Abigail smiled-she had been right about him!

"You're so lucky, Lina," Abigail said, gazing at her with envy. "Your boyfriend's smile shines brighter when he sees you! You're the only one he sees. And he even bought you milk tea, didn't he?" "You saw that too?" Lina pursed her lips. "But he didn't buy it. He made it himself."

"Oh?"

'So Jacob can make milk tea... He must have made it only for her.'

Abigail bit her lip and silently observed Lina.

Chapter 1199

Chapter 1199

After a moment of silence, Abigail held Lina's hands with sincerity and spoke each word deliberately. "Please love each other... Please be happy forever!"

Lina was taken aback. She felt a strange atmosphere surrounding them.

But that was what good friends wished for each other.

She looked down and smiled, nodding earnestly. "Thank you."

Abigail seemed relieved, her smile becoming more relaxed.

"Enough about me!" Lina's playful doe eyes sparkled. "What about you? You're really amazing, so I'm sure there are many men who are interested in you. Is there anyone you like?" "I..." Abigail paused before speaking honestly. "I do have someone I like."

Lina's eyes lit up.

But then she heard Abigail continue. "But he doesn't know, and I haven't told him."

"Why not?" Lina asked.

"Because... I'm afraid of rejection."

The waves overshadowed Abigail's soft voice.

A subtle veil of sadness covered her beautiful face.

Meanwhile, Zuko met Jacob at a bar.

It was a small, quiet place. A singer passionately belted out the blues on stage while the customers below enjoyed their drinks, trying to keep their voices low even when chatting.

Zuko and Jacob raised their glasses in a toast. The intense taste of tequila lingered in their mouths.

At that moment, Jacob's phone rang. He looked annoyed when he saw Gia's name on the screen.

He hung up, she called again, and he hung up again.

She sent a message, a voice recording. He listened to it, and the woman on the recording used an extremely flirtatious voice, calling him "hubby." She asked, "What are you doing? Why aren't you picking up?" Zuko almost spat out the tequila he had just swallowed and glared at Jacob. "Don't you dare play her voice recordings out loud again!"

Jacob smiled. "You asked me to get close to her to investigate her!"

"I asked you to investigate, not to be repulsive!" Zuko retorted.

"How else am I supposed to get information from her if I don't do that?" Jacob added ice to his drink.

Gia kept sending him messages, but he didn't even look at them. He only picked up his phone when she stopped.

However, he suddenly paused when his thumb scrolled through the contact list.

Zuko looked at him, then at his phone. He noticed that Jacob was staring at the number saved as "Joy" on his phone.

"Haha, who is it?" Zuko playfully asked. "The love of your life?"

Jacob was taken aback. His response was honest. "Can't anyone else have feelings for someone?"

"Really? I got it right?" Zuko was quite surprised.

The Jacob he knew had always been oblivious. He thought Jacob would become a monk one day after quitting his job as a lawyer.

Never did he imagine that Jacob had fallen for someone.

"W-Who is she?" Zuko couldn't help but gossip.

Jacob glanced at him and put his phone away, leaving him guessing. "She's... Joy!"

"Can you be serious?"

"Joy represents happiness." Jacob smiled. "So she is my happiness."

The more Zuko listened, the more perplexed he became. He went straight to the point. "So, does your happiness know that you like her?"

Jacob's expression changed. He finished his drink.

"She doesn't know, and I haven't told her."

"Why not?"

"Because..." Jacob said sadly, "I'm afraid of rejection."

Chapter 1200

Chapter 1200

Zuko found himself momentarily speechless, so he refilled Jacob's glass of tequila. Offering comfort to others was not his strong suit, and he struggled to understand the feeling of unrequited love. Perhaps because his relationship with Lina had been so smooth, he believed in following Toph's advice to take the initiative and kiss the person he liked.

Having done so himself, with Lina reciprocating, Zuko thought that was how love should be pursued.

Zuko patted Jacob's shoulder with a serious expression. "Why don't you try... kissing her first?"

Jacob had just taken a sip of tequila and choked on it, tears streaming down his face from the sting. He stared at Zuko as if he were looking at a monster. Could this usually composed and reserved heir really say something so offensive?

"Did I say something wrong?" Zuko argued seriously. "If you like her, you have to kiss her! Otherwise, how will she know your feelings?"

Jacob narrowed his eyes. "Don't tell me you won Lina over like that?"

Zuko smirked triumphantly, but Jacob couldn't help but grimace.

"It's different for me." He lowered his head. "You and Lina are compatible, and your families are a good match too.

"But... I feel like I'm not good enough for her." Jacob's voice was almost inaudible as he uttered those words.

Zuko was taken aback. He had known Jacob for years, but this was the first time he had seen the confident lawyer lacking self-assurance. The same Jacob who could debate anyone in the courtroom and remain calm and composed in front of clients and opponents now struggled to speak freely due to his unrequited love.

Zuko found it somewhat hard to believe. "Then tell me, what makes you feel unworthy?"

Jacob was slightly startled.

She was a big star, achieving success at a young age and highly valued by her company since her debut. She made the most of her talents and resources, becoming a shining star in the entertainment industry. Why would she pay attention to him when there were plenty of outstanding men around her?

Jacob let out a light sigh. He turned to look at Zuko, remembering what had happened in Southeast Aciatic that year. Perhaps only a scion of a prominent family like him could be the type of person Abigail liked... Otherwise, how could she have followed Zuko to the hotel and been caught by the paparazzi?

A hint of jealousy crept into Jacob's heart.

Zuko sneezed and suddenly noticed Jacob's peculiar gaze. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"It's nothing." Jacob smiled. Even if he felt a little jealous, he would simply smile and let it go since they were best friends. Besides, Zuko had Lina now.

"By the way, I have something important to tell you." Jacob cleared his throat and pulled up some information on his phone. "These are the things I've found out. I'm sending them to you now.

"But I've only investigated part of it." Jacob chuckled. "As expected, Gia is up to something. After Mollie was kicked out of the Thompson Group, Gia quickly got involved with the project manager!" "What?" Zuko was stunned.

Jacob placed his hand on Zuko's shoulder. "Mr. Hamerton, I gathered evidence secretly, only to end up being betrayed. Can you believe my misfortune?"

Zuko laughed helplessly. This was an unexpected outcome for both of them.