Ch. 1311..1320

Chapter 1311

Chapter 1311

This time, the "overtime" lasted until late into the night.

Lina struggled to get up from the couch, picked up her scattered clothes from the floor, and felt sore all over her body.

"Let me help you."

Zuko wrapped his arms around her from behind with a satisfied smile. Lina felt his warm chest and his heart beating right along hers against her bare back. She did not dare to let him help her. She quickly broke free and put on her clothes.

Zuko smiled and got dressed as well. His hand instinctively reached into his pocket, but... there were no more cigarettes.

He finally understood now what his father meant by the "cigarette money" he used to earn.

Lina forced herself to finish reviewing the last bit of information, and then Zuko took her home.

The next day.

They slept until almost 8:00 a.m., only to be awakened by their phones.

"Is it your phone?"

"It's yours..."

"Hmm?"

They woke up, realizing that their phones were vibrating simultaneously.

One was from Lina's secretary. "Ms. Thompson, look at the news! Something happened!"

The other was from Zuko's assistant. "Mr. Hamerton, um... Uh, there seems to be a problem with the Thompson Group's project. You should check the news!"

They were startled awake and opened their phones with numerous news headlines popping on the notification screen.

A real estate company had suddenly appeared out of the blue and held a press conference, releasing the latest information about a new development.

The design of the building, both exterior and interior, and even the materials and publicity copies, were exactly the same as the project Lina was working on! "W-What's going on?"

When Lina got to the company, the board members were already there. Some were on Nicholas' side, and some were against him.

All of them looked at Lina with mixed feelings. The meeting room was dead silent.

Finally, someone spoke. "Ms. Thompson, we trusted you for this project!"

"But how did our secrets get out?"

"That's right!" Everyone agreed. "We put a lot of money and effort into this project. We wanted to win a big architecture award. Now it's ruined!" "We're losing all that money. Ms. Thompson, can you explain?"

Lina listened calmly, not arguing. She stayed quiet, her calm face making it seem like nothing was wrong.

She knew arguing wouldn't help. She was just one person against many. Fighting would make things worse.

Even if it wasn't her fault, she was in charge. She had to fix it.

The room was quiet. Everyone looked at Lina.

"Are all of you done speaking?"

She got up with a smile.

The conference room was filled with seasoned veterans of the business world. However, not a single one of them uttered another word. It was as if Lina had incredible strength.

Lina's calm but determined gaze swept over each person's face. "I won't shirk my responsibility regarding this, but it will take time to find out who leaked the confidential information. At present, the most important thing for us is to minimize our losses.

"Please trust me. I'll come up with a solution in the shortest time possible."

Someone sneered. "If you can't come up with a solution, does that mean we'll all be left out in the cold?"

"Of course not." A deep and powerful voice suddenly sounded from outside the meeting room.

The door opened, and Zuko walked in.

All Hamerton men naturally carried an air of nobility. In the conference room, everyone gazed at him, cautious not to make a sound.

Zuko stood by Lina's side, his arm naturally encircling her waist. His sharp gaze swept over the crowd.

"The one who just said you might be left out in the cold. I wonder where you think the Hamertons stand."

The person fell silent, his forced smile fading as he quickly lowered his head.

"I can assure all of you." Zuko's expression remained composed. "As long as Hamerton Group remains, the Thompson Group's investment will not fail."

He lowered his voice. "But as long as I am here, I won't allow anyone to make things difficult for my wife."

The shareholders exchanged glances and lowered their heads. Anyone who dared to trouble Mrs. Hamerton might have to be left out in the cold.

After finishing the day's work, Lina dragged her exhausted body downstairs. Zuko's car had been waiting for a while.

"I'll take you home." Zuko smiled dotingly as he reached out to stroke her face.

"Honey, I was thinking..."

"I know. You want to visit your parents." Zuko started the car. "They must be worried about you with something so big happening. I'll take you to see them right now. Besides, dad is quite experienced in these matters. He might have a solution!"

Lina smiled. Had Zuko not been driving, she would have probably thrown herself into his arms.

"Honey, why are you so good?" She blinked her big eyes. "You know everything I'm thinking!"

Zuko smirked. "My dad used to be my mom's superhero. He could fulfill all her wishes."

"And you?"

"I'm your..." Zuko stopped at a red light, his gaze tender as he looked at her. "I'm your Doraemon. How about that?" he said softly.

Chapter 1312

Chapter 1312

Lina giggled and playfully tugged at his ear. "Doraemon doesn't seem to have ears, though?"

"I'm different." Zuko's eyes were smiling. "I'm Lina's exclusive Doraemon, the only one in the world! That's why I have ears."

"What do you need ears for?"

Zuko leaned closer, his nose nuzzling her small face, his voice husky. "To... obey your every command!"

Lina's heart warmed, and she hugged him. With him by her side, she would no longer be afraid of anything.

They entered the Thompson residence hand in hand. There seemed to be quite a few people in the living room.

Before Zuko could even see who was there, he heard Toph's enthusiastic voice booming. "Hey, bro!"

Zuko paused. "You're here as well?"

"Of course. Since you're accompanying your wife back to her family, can't I come to see my dearest Uncle Nicholas and Aunt Linda?"

Toph was still the carefree young man he used to be. Their argument at the horse ranch seemed to have been quickly forgotten.

Zuko felt relief and concern for his younger brother's nature. He felt relieved as carefree individuals often enjoyed better sleep by swiftly letting go of worries, which promoted good health and longevity. However, his worry stemmed from...

Zuko glanced at the sofa. Sure enough, his concern had come to pass. Toph had completely ignored their advice.

Sitting on the sofa were not only Renee but also Kaitlyn.

Zuko furrowed his brow slightly, exchanging a puzzled glance with Lina. They held an unspoken question in their eyes.

"Mr. Zuko!" Kaitlyn greeted him politely with a gentle smile.

Zuko nodded slightly and sat on the opposite sofa with Lina.

Nicholas served his daughter and son-in-law the best tea.

Lina looked at him. "Dad, I want to talk to you about something."

"Sure, go ahead."

"Dad..." Lina hesitated.

"Is it something related to work?" Kaitlyn suddenly interjected. "The recent incident has caused quite a stir. Is it about the Thompson Group's project?"

Zuko chuckled softly. "Aunt Kaitlyn, you're quite well-informed."

"Of course!" Toph chimed in. "Aunt Kaitlyn's keeping up with the times! Besides, Renee will return to work in the future, so Aunt Kaitlyn naturally needs to pay more attention to the news in this field."

"Is the situation very serious?" Kaitlyn looked worriedly at Lina. "I only know that the project has been plagiarized, but we currently don't have any evidence. So... is there no way to sue the other party?" "Yes." Lina nodded. "Aunt Kaitlyn, you don't need to worry about it. I will handle it."

"Oh." Kaitlyn looked a bit embarrassed, lowering her head and nodding. "Have I been too meddlesome? Did I make you unhappy because of it?" "Aunt Kaitlyn..."

"If I've made you unhappy, then I won't say anything."

Kaitlyn shifted slightly to the side as if trying to isolate herself from the rest of the group. Her cautious demeanor made people feel a bit sorry for her.

Lina thought she might have come across as too indifferent just now, so she quickly explained, "Aunt Kaitlyn, I didn't mean that at all! Please don't misunderstand."

"It's okay. It's okay!" Kaitlyn looked up at her and smiled softly. "We're family, after all. I heard there's been an issue with the Thompson Group, so Renee and I are also worried."

Zuko gently squeezed Lina's hand. Perhaps he was the only one in this room who could maintain a calm mind.

Zuko smiled slightly. "Aunt Kaitlyn, please don't misunderstand Lina. In fact, the two of us lack experience in this area. We would actually appreciate hearing the opinions of our elders."

"Is that so?"

Chapter 1313

Chapter 1313

Zuko looked at Nicholas again. "By the way, Dad, my parents have a gift for you. It's a bottle of fine wine. It's in my car, and they nagged me to hand it to you. How about you come with us to my car?" Nicholas and Linda agreed with enthusiasm.

As Zuko led them out of the living room, he exchanged a glance with Lina.

She understood and continued chatting with Kaitlyn.

"Regarding what we were talking about earlier..." Kaitlyn stopped briefly, speaking in a hushed tone. "Lina, that girl Lena who lives in your house... she's frequently near the study area. She even had a disagreement with me about it recently. Does that not strike you as odd?"

"Lenny?"

"Mom!" Renee sounded a bit anxious. "What are you saying?"

"It's just a casual chat!" Kaitlyn chuckled. "I always think these things get out because of someone from within. Our own family wouldn't betray us, but you can't be sure about outsiders!" "Mom!" Renee looked at her mom, then apologized to Lina. "Lina, my mom didn't mean it seriously. Don't take it personally!"

Before Lina could respond, she saw Lena standing nearby with a plate of fruit. Lina's heart tightened.

Lena remained distant as usual, her face showing no emotion. As she set the fruit plate on the table, she glanced at Kaitlyn and said icily, "It takes one to know one."

Although Lena spoke softly, everyone in the quiet living room heard her words.

"W-What did you say?" Kaitlyn was shocked and clutched her chest like she was upset.

Lena scoffed before turning around and walking away as if nothing had happened.

The rest seemed unsettled. Lina feared something would happen to Kaitlyn at her place. Toph and Renee were angry, with Renee even yelling, "Lena, stop!"

Lena halted but did not turn around.

"W-Why did you say that about my mom?" Renee approached Lena. "You heard what she said, right? She didn't mean it that way!"

"Whether she meant it or not, only she knows best." Lena's words were cutting. "Ms. Renee, there are things you might not see clearly. You won't think she's at fault because she's your mother. But sometimes, outsiders have a clearer view!"

"Lena!"

"What are you saying?!" Toph rushed forward to shield Renee behind him and pointed at Lena. "You know you're also an outsider? And an outsider like you still pokes your nose in this matter?"

Lena turned around. The cold glint that flashed in her eyes was vicious like a nocturnal predator's.

Toph was taken aback, and his heart jolted.

"You truly regard yourself as part of their family, Mr. Toph," Lena said with a soft laugh.

"What do you mean? I already am!"

"You and Ms. Renee aren't married yet, are you? Aren't you self-deprecating to be rushing things like this?"

Toph's temper flared, and he seemed ready to punch Lena. He did raise his fist, but a stern shout stopped him. "Toph Hamerton! What are you doing?"

Toph looked at Zuko somewhat helplessly. "Zuko..."

Lina stepped forward and stood in front of Lena. "Toph, don't cause trouble in my parents' home!"

"Bro, Pammy! You guys-"

"Enough, this ends here!" Zuko's face grew cold.

He had deliberately walked away earlier, knowing that Kaitlyn might not say certain things if he stayed.

He had taken Nicholas and Linda away under the pretext of delivering the wine and returned to the living room, only to witness the scene unfold.

When he locked eyes with Lina, he received confirmation from her gaze.

Zuko patted Toph's shoulder with a cryptic expression.

"Don't cause a scene at my in-laws' home," he whispered in Toph's ear. "Otherwise, Lina definitely won't let me off!"

"Hmph." Toph was displeased, but he whispered back, "Did you not hear what Lena said just now?"

"I heard it, but I also heard what you said." Zuko looked at him. "Since you think she's just an outsider, there's no need to butt heads with an outsider. Save your energy and take Aunt Kaitlyn and Renee back!" "Zuko..." Toph wanted to say something but ultimately kept quiet.

Chapter 1314

Chapter 1314

A few days later, Lina presented a perfect Plan B. After the project and engineering departments' evaluation, they all praised it and wondered why she had not introduced that design earlier.

Lina then took the design and a detailed proposal to the board of directors, effectively silencing any doubts.

The board was quite favorable toward this new plan.

"Exactly, this is Ms. Thompson! She must have the ability to handle it!"

"Yes, this design aligns better with the standards of high-end residences, and we can even raise the price."

"In terms of calculations, the profit margin is twice as much as the previous plan!"

Lina's smile seemed a bit weary. She waved her hand to instruct the secretary to prepare for a press conference. This time, she intended to unveil this new plan first to prevent any potential plagiarism.

Yet, when she got home and saw Zuko, guilt filled her heart. She hugged Zuko, hiding her face in his chest, and softly said, "I'm sorry, honey..."

Zuko patted her head gently, knowingly asking, "What have you done to apologize to me?"

"Your golden chamber... is no more."

Lina's voice was almost inaudible.

Zuko laughed heartily. He felt some regret about losing the unique design. But, compared to the crisis the Thompson Group avoided, he thought it was better for Lina to use the design he intended as a gift as a Plan B instead.

"I'm supposed to keep you in the golden house." Lina pouted. "Now... It's keeping hundreds of families. The golden chamber has turned into a high-end residential area!"

"That's not bad either!" Zuko consoled her with a smile. "Thankfully, the crisis has been resolved. That's more important than anything."

Lina looked at him. "I'll design another one for you in the future!"

"That's not necessary..." Zuko grinned mischievously and swept her into the bedroom. "You can just... 'keep' me properly right now!"

Lina blushed and scolded him for being shameless, yet her hands unbuttoned his shirt.

And so, it was another night of passion.

The next day, the couple had a rare day off, intending to sleep in and stay under the covers. However, the sound of vibrating phones kept disrupting their peace. Lina's hand reached out, finding her phone on the bedside table. A feeling swept over her as if her future was destined to be busy. The caller ID displayed "Mom"!

"Mom?" Lina jolted awake. "Why are you calling so early? Is something wrong?"

"Pammy, you need to come home now... and bring Zuko with you!" Linda's voice held urgency. "It's not your father or me. Not Jesse and Melissa, either... It's Lena! She left a letter for you and vanished!" A wave of anxiety gripped Lina like an invisible hand squeezing her heart.

She rushed to the Thompsons' home as fast as she could.

Upon entering, she spotted Nicholas and Linda on the couch. An envelope lay before them, alongside a pistol marked 'Krys.

The envelope bore just a few words "For Lina's eyes only."

"It was lan who noticed that Lenny was missing," Nicholas said. "Lenny has a habit of going running with lan on the mountain every morning, but she didn't go today."

"So, lan came to look for her at home," Linda said softly. "And that's when we realized that she had packed up her things in her room, leaving only this letter and the gun." Lina's hands trembled. She had not even opened the envelope yet.

Zuko helped her open it. The content was simple, much like Lena's usual style.

[Lina, I need to leave here for something. Please don't worry.

[And, you must not trust Kaitlyn!]

"That's it?" Zuko was puzzled. What was she trying to convey with these vague words?

Lina read those two lines over and over. "Lenny said she's leaving, but she didn't say she won't return. She will come back, right?"

"It's difficult to say." Zuko shook his head. "Given her nature, she will disappear without a trace. We can't predict her next move. Plus, she's been clear about her intention to 'leave'." "No... I have to find her and bring her back!" Lina grew anxious. "It's not safe for her to be alone outside!"

"I've already sent people to look for her, but there's no news." Nicholas sighed. "Pammy, where do you think she could have gone?"

Lina was frozen. That's when she realized she didn't really know anything about Lena. Not where she was from or even where she might have gone.

For the next few days, Lina was filled with worry. Lena's phone was off, and her old-style cellphone couldn't be tracked. Despite Nicholas' efforts, there was no trace of her.

Nicholas had managed Lena's immigration documents since she joined the Thompsons. But checking with customs and immigration turned up nothing about her entering or leaving the country.

They even looked into long-distance bus stations but found no ticket purchase.

Lina's anxiety brought her to tears.

Coincidentally, Chris brought Toph to the young couple's house that day. Upon entering, he chuckled and said, "Hey, Zuko, Pammy! I heard this guy made a scene at the Thompsons'. I've got him here to apologize to you today!"

With that, he gave Toph a little push toward the door.

Toph had not been concerned about that incident for a while and began playfully shoving and pushing around with Chris. After a while, he realized that something was off about Zuko and Lina. "Hey, Zuko, Pammy!" He leaned over. "Why are you both looking so serious? Aren't you glad to see me?"

Chapter 1315

Chapter 1315

Lina's eyes were downcast, and she did not respond.

Zuko remained silent as well, sitting quietly on the side.

"Bro, Pammy!" Toph appeared quite aggrieved. "Do you really have to be this unforgiving? I genuinely came here today to apologize."

Chris pinched Toph from behind, prompting him to quickly blurt out, "I shouldn't have acted so thoughtlessly. I shouldn't have repeatedly caused trouble for Lena, and I definitely shouldn't have... Shouldn't have caused such a scene at Uncle Nicholas' place!

"I'm sorry!"

With that, Toph slapped his legs together, stood at attention, and performed a formal 90-degree bow!

Zuko looked at him and smiled faintly.

"If it weren't for Chris dragging you here, would you have even come?"

Toph scratched his head bashfully.

Chris was not just anyone. Only under his militarized pressure did Toph obediently come to apologize.

"Even though Chris gave me a bit of a lesson..." Toph began to explain, "I genuinely came here to apologize! Actually, I do regret the quarrel with Lena. After all, she's a girl, and arguing with her was ungentlemanly!"

Just as he finished speaking, he tried to look fawningly at Lina.

"Besides, Lena saved Grandma Janine! It did feel a little ungrateful of me to treat her that way, right, Pammy?"

"Alright, we're all family!" Chris laughed. "Look at Mr. Toph Hamerton here. Have you ever seen him so humble? Let's turn the page on this incident, okay?"

Zuko wanted to say something but just patted Chris' shoulder instead.

Chris continued. "Is Lena still at the Thompsons'? If so, we can go there now. Toph said he wants to admit his mistakes to her in person, haha!"

"Chris!" Toph shot him a look with an awkward chuckle.

"Hold on!" Zuko stopped them. "Lena... isn't at the Thompsons' anymore."

"What?"

"She left." Lina stood up and said calmly. "She left a letter for me and disappeared. I'm searching for her."

Toph exclaimed while Chris stood frozen in place.

"Well, then I'll help you both find her!" Toph said. "Bro, where have you looked?"

"We've searched everywhere we could think of." Zuko sighed lightly. "Places where she used to work, like the bar and small restaurant, even the cheap place she used to rent. We've checked them all, but there's no sign of her."

"Did she leave any message?"

Zuko showed Toph the letter.

Toph's face went blank, and his grip on the letter tightened slightly.

He did not act impulsively this time. After a moment of silence, he murmured, "Lena is eccentric but genuinely treats Pammy well. I can't completely favor my mother-in-law in this..."

"Mother-in-law, huh?" Zuko gave him a sidelong glance.

"She's Renee's mother, after all. What do you expect me to do?"

"Alright." Zuko waved his hand. "Let's not talk about her. Finding Lena is more important."

"Oh, right!" Toph suddenly had an idea and looked at Lina. "Pammy, did you notice anything unique about Lena during the time you spent with her?"

"Hmm?"

Toph slapped his thigh. "What kind of best friend are you? This girl doesn't follow the usual path. Can't you see it?"

Everyone's gaze turned to Toph.

"So, we shouldn't search for her using conventional methods!" Toph shrugged. "All the places you've looked are where she usually goes, but think about it. Would she go to those places if she genuinely didn't want you to find her?"

Zuko and Lina exchanged glances as realization struck them.

"Go on!"

"Well..." Toph scratched his head. "That's about all I can think of."

They were at a loss for words.

"But we can think along these lines!" Toph tried to salvage the situation. "For example, Pammy, you two are close. Did you ever share any secrets or talk about future plans? Did she ever mention a place she wanted to go when you exchange secrets?"

Lina furrowed her brow.

A memory suddenly flashed in Chris' mind. It was from the picnic they had.

The two of them seemed out of place amidst the group's liveliness, sitting quietly by a small river. They still did not say much when they eventually joined the group.

Later, Chris handed a skewer of grilled meat to Lena. She thanked him, and he replied courteously, "You're welcome."

That was when they began to grow closer.

Lena had asked him, "Were you in the Special Forces?"

Proudly, he smiled. "I was a sniper in the Special Forces."

"Oh... will you go back to the military in the future?"

"I probably will. I signed up for the international peacekeeping forces. If the country needs me, I won't hesitate."

"That's great... I'm starting to feel like joining the army, too."

"A girl like you—" Chris stopped. He knew Lena would not like being referred to that way.

He then changed it to: "A girl like you would do great in the forces!"

Lena rarely smiled, but she did then. "Where was your unit?"

"In the west." Chris gestured. "Got to keep going west."

"West of Centrolis?"

"How could it be so close?" Chris laughed. "You'd have to keep going west after getting out of Centrolis, quite a distance."

"I'll definitely go there."

Chris snapped out of his daydream, recalling that conversation vividly. When Lena had spoken, her face had shown determination. Back then, he believed her words were hasty, but now... In a sudden frenzy, Chris dashed out of the door like a crazed person.

"Hey, where's he off to?" The other three hurried to follow.

However, he swiftly vanished into the distance.

Toph asked, "Is he off to look for Lena?"

"Isn't that obvious?"

"But how's he gonna find her like that?"

Lina spoke gently. "Lenny might have shared something special with him."

Chris did not know if what he was doing was right or wrong. He quickly packed his belongings, got in the car, and drove west.

He had already left Centrolis for some time, but there was still no sign of Lena.

Frustration was gnawing at him. He parked the car on the roadside. The evening had arrived, the sun casting a red hue across the sky, and birds were fluttering, ready to head home. But the person he awaited hadn't shown up.

Could he still give her a ride back?

Chris ignited a cigarette and inhaled deeply.

Regret washed over him, his heart as heavy as a boulder. If he had known she'd vanish like this one day, he would have...

He slammed the car door a couple of times, the scent of nicotine filling the small space.

Chapter 1316

Chapter 1316

Renee sorted Kaitlyn's pills, then neatly placed them into a small pillbox for each day of the week. She poured warm water and prepared to remind her mother to take her medicine.

Balancing the cup and medicine, Renee approached the room's doorway. She suddenly heard her mother's hushed voice on the phone.

Kaitlyn spoke softly, her tone urgent and low as if she meant it that way.

"Is everything taken care of?

"What? She... hasn't died?

"You all are a bunch of useless people!

"...I don't care about that. Just make sure she doesn't return to Centrolis!"

Renee's heart skipped a beat. She struggled to catch the words beyond the door. She wasn't sure who her mother conversed with on the phone, and the thought that her mother could utter such things was hard to accept.

Could it be a misunderstanding? It had to be!

She furrowed her brow as doubts gnawed at her. Her mother had been unwell and withdrawn for so long. How could she now command others to do such things?

The voice from within the room persisted.

"And that individual... Watch her closely for me. Don't let her escape!"

Fear surged through Renee, and her grip on the cup faltered.

"Who's out there?"

Kaitlyn flung open the door abruptly. Catching Renee's wide-eyed gaze, she emanated a chilling intensity.

Terrified, Renee stepped back. The cup slipped from her hand and shattered on the floor.

Kaitlyn's expression darkened, her voice icy as she demanded, "What are you up to?"

"Mom, I..." Renee's voice trembled. "I came to give you your medicine. It's time for your dose."

Kaitlyn glanced down and noticed Renee's bleeding foot. A piece of glass had lodged itself in her foot from the shattered cup.

"Go bandage yourself," she said coldly. "The first aid kit is in the cabinet."

"The first aid kit isn't in the cabinet," Renee timidly corrected her. "Our first aid kit has always been on the windowsill."

Kaitlyn's gaze flickered slightly. She fell silent for a moment before softening her tone. "Renee, go tend to your wound. Give me the medicine. I'll take it myself."

"Mom..."

"What's wrong? Do you want to watch me take the pills?"

"No." Renee quickly shook her head. "I just wanted to say... I also cut up some fruits, and I've set up the TV show you like. You can come to watch it."

Kaitlyn paused, then smiled lightly.

Her daughter was truly filial. Not only was she gentle and understanding, but she also had a tight grip on the second Hamerton heir. Some people were truly fortunate. Even if they had nothing, having a daughter would be enough.

Why could that fortune not be hers?

That person's daughter could also be her daughter. The glory and wealth that person could have in the latter half of their life... she must have it too!

Kaitlyn went up and patted Renee's head, saying softly, "Such a good child."

Renee smiled as she watched Kaitlyn enter the living room. She kept an eye out and quickly slipped into her mother's room.

She spotted the forgotten phone her mother had left on the bed.

Her heart raced as she hid the phone behind her back and left the room quietly.

Once back in her own room, she locked the door and tried to unlock the phone. After a few unsuccessful attempts, she contacted an engineer she knew from work. With his guidance, she successfully unlocked Kaitlyn's phone...

The first entry in the call log was from an unknown number.

Renee felt like her heart was about to jump out of her throat!

Chapter 1317

Chapter 1317

Renee dialed the number, and a hoarse male voice came from the other end. "Kaitlyn, we didn't mean it. That stubborn girl is just too hard to handle! She's really tough!

"But no worries. Despite Lena's capabilities, she's trapped right now... There are dangerous snakes and fierce beasts in that forest. She won't make it!"

Renee held her hand over her mouth, almost stopping herself from screaming.

At that moment, Kaitlyn's voice called from the living room. "Renee! Renee? What are you doing?"

Renee almost fell off her chair but managed to note down the number. Sneaking into Kaitlyn's room as she passed, she placed the phone back, then casually went downstairs to the living room. Her heart raced well into the night..

Kaitlyn had forbidden her from leaving the house or using her phone, except for Toph's calls. No one else was permitted to get in touch.

Renee had grown to dislike this stifling life.

After confirming Kaitlyn was asleep that night, she turned on her computer to trace the number's location. Surprisingly, it was pinpointed west of Centrolis.

She also remembered what the man had said.

Could it be... that Lena was further west outside of Centrolis?

Renee was startled. After much contemplation, she realized she had to tell Lina about this.

She dialed Lina's number. "Cuz!"

There was a pause on the other end, and a soft voice came through. "It's so late. Is something the matter?"

"Lina, there's something I have to tell you... I might have found out where Lena is."

"What are you saying?"

"It might be... just outside Centrolis in the west!" Renee stammered, gripping the phone nervously.

Lina sounded puzzled. "How do you know?"

Renee stayed quiet.

Her thoughts were chaotic, and she couldn't find the right words to explain. She couldn't understand why her mother held such strong anger toward Lena, enough to want her gone no matter what.

All she was sure of was that Lena meant a lot to Lina.

All she knew was that their time with Lena wasn't bad.

Renee felt torn between confusion and fear. She worried her mother might suddenly walk in and hear her talking on the phone.

Her voice trembled as she spoke."Stop asking so many questions... Just try looking in that direction. Maybe it'll work out?"

Chris kept driving towards the west. The sky was slowly getting brighter, and he felt refreshed after a short rest in the car overnight.

He spotted a grove of trees ahead and hesitated momentarily before driving in. The path through the woods was quite narrow, and his off-road vehicle was like a behemoth in this setting. Chris was being careful, not willing to lower his guard. Suddenly, he spotted what appeared to be a person lying beside the road.

He hit the brakes, and the sound of wheels screeching against the ground was piercing.

He paused for a moment, then concentrated his gaze. The person lay in the grass, and the plants were stained red from blood! The person's face...

Chris felt as if he'd been struck hard on the head. Swiftly, he leaped out of the car, hurrying over as if driven by something! "Lenny!"

He aided her, holding her gently in his arms. Pain tugged at his heart!

Lena was severely hurt, barely holding on. She fought to open her eyes, looking at him. Whether she recognized him or not, she managed a smile.

"Lenny, no need to fear!" Chris removed his coat, draping it around her. "I'll keep you safe... I'm getting you to the hospital. You'll be alright!"

Chapter 1318

Chapter 1318

Lena felt like her body was being torn apart, the pain similar to roasting over a fire. Maybe this was how hell felt...

A bit of consciousness remained. She knew she leaned on a strong chest, feeling safe. A steady heartbeat echoed, too.

In her daze, she smiled faintly. She wanted to rest, yet a voice kept echoing.

"Lena, don't sleep! Don't you dare sleep!"

"Mom..." she mumbled.

"Lena!"

Suddenly, a sense of warmth spread through her heart.

She had not experienced much warmth throughout her life, let alone someone being so concerned about her.

When Lina argued with the shop owner and forced him to give her money, she had felt contented.

Now... where was this voice coming from?

"Lena, we're almost there!" Chris placed her in the car's back seat, speeding all the way. "We're almost at the hospital. Hold on!"

"I don't want to hold on anymore..." Lena weakly managed to say.

Lena was utterly exhausted. All she yearned for was a serene slumber.

In her dreams, her mother wouldn't commit such evil acts. Only there she felt cared for and cherished.

A tear trickled from the corner of Lena's eye. She couldn't hold back any more.

Chris paced outside the operating room, consumed by anxiety.

His phone rang, Zuko calling. "Chris, have you located Lena?"

Chris inhaled deeply but couldn't respond, as if his voice had abandoned him.

After a lengthy pause, he managed to utter, "I found her."

"Did you find her by heading west?" Zuko inquired.

"Yes."

Silence lingered on the other end.

Chris realized that Zuko and Lina had advised him to continue heading west. They had previously encouraged him to persist and not give up. Although he was determined to explore every option, discovering her had exceeded his expectations.

Chris frowned, puzzled. "Zuko, how did you have this information..."

"It was Renee," Zuko said, his tone urgent. "I'll provide more details when you return. When do you plan to come back?"

Chris's voice was strained, his words a struggle. "Zuko, right now... we won't be returning immediately."

"What?"

"Lena is still in surgery. When I located her, she was badly injured, barely holding on!"

Zuko was startled. "What caused this?"

"It's a long story..." Chris' voice sounded weary. "And I'm still unsure about who harmed her and the reasons behind her injuries. We'll need to wait until she's out of danger before we can inquire about the specifics!"

"Understood. Focus on taking care of her for now." Zuko gnashed his teeth. "I might already have an idea of who's responsible."

When Renee called Lina, she shared a phone number. Zuko quickly had it investigated and found that the number was often associated with Kaitlyn.

Kaitlyn must be involved!

Zuko and Lina decided not to startle her. They agreed to observe the situation first. Lena and Chris should stay outside of Centrolis for now, as it was probably the safest option.

Chapter 1319

Chapter 1319

Lena felt like she was trapped in a nightmarish place, surrounded by horrible creatures that seemed to be tearing at her body. The pain was excruciating, and she wanted to scream, but her voice felt stifled. After what seemed like an eternity, she sensed a faint coolness, and she managed to move her lips, finally mustering a few words. "Water... Water..."

Then, someone dampened a cotton swab with water and gently touched it to her lips. It brought relief, and her intense feelings of agitation and anxiety began to ease. She struggled to open her eyes.

"You're awake?" A familiar voice reached her.

Lena's heart raced. Her awareness gradually returned, and her surroundings started becoming clearer. "It's... you?"

The man before her appeared somewhat different from the Chris she knew. Her image of Chris was that of a charming and honest person with a strong, rugged face projecting a tough and sturdy demeanor. But now, his eye sockets looked hollow, dark circles ringed his eyes, and his beard was unkempt. Despite this, his smile remained just as she remembered.

Lena gazed at him for a moment before speaking in a daze, "You... Why are you here? I..."

"Calm down. Save your energy," Chris quickly advised, then briefly explained her situation, "When I found you, you were badly hurt. I rushed you to the hospital, and the doctors worked for two days to pull you back from the brink of death."

Lena moved her body slightly, only to feel a sharp pain.

"Thankfully, the wounds are mostly on the surface." Chris carried on while moistening her lips. "They're quite severe, but you've been making progress. If you rest and recover properly, you'll surely improve." Chris placed the water cup down and looked at her seriously. "Lena, who are those people who hurt you?"

Lena struggled to piece together the events and context in her mind.

After leaving a letter for Lina, she departed from the Thompsons'. Her goal was to investigate Kaitlyn. Instead of using her ID to buy a ticket, she hitchhiked the entire way. While traveling, she sensed that someone was following her, and this feeling intensified after she left Centrolis.

Just a few days ago, those pursuers attacked her right after she passed through the forest.

Lena's head throbbed. Some events were fragmented. She recalled it being the most brutal fight she had ever experienced.

Breaking the silence, she softly replied, "I don't know.

"I can't recognize those people. Everything was chaotic then. They were ruthless, aiming for my head. It was clear they wanted me dead! At that moment... I couldn't clearly see their faces." "That's okay." Chris listened, his heart heavy. The wounds, both deep and shallow, must have been excruciating, even for a man. How much pain was she enduring with those injuries? "Right now, focus on recovering. We can talk about the details later."

"While I might not identify those individuals, I know who sent them."

"What?"

"It must be Kaitlyn!"

Lena gazed into his eyes, her tone unwavering.

Chris' expression darkened, his brows furrowing. "Why are you so sure?"

"I..." Lena began to explain, but a violent cough interrupted her.

Concerned she might strain herself, Chris encouraged her to rest.

In any case, there was ample time to unravel this mystery.

The following day, Chris organized Lena's release from the hospital. He was concerned that her safety might be compromised if the ill-intentioned individuals were nearby.

Chris had many bank cards containing ample funds with him. There was a tranquil little village close to their location, which was ideal for her recovery.

He secured a modest courtyard and scheduled a doctor to make two daily visits. During the doctor's absence, he took on the role of tending to Lena.

This was the first time in his life that he had assumed the role of a caregiver. While his army experiences included rigorous training and lengthy marches with his fellow soldiers, attending to a fragile young woman like Lena demanded an entirely different skill set.

Chris maintained a cheerful expression as he tirelessly prepared soup in the kitchen.

Chapter 1320

Chapter 1320

Lena's wounds were getting better each day, and her body was slowly returning to normal.

The small village was peaceful and quiet, almost like it was cut off from the rest of the world. Even though it was close to Centrolis, it didn't have the busy feel of a big city.

Lena liked the vibe there. She would often sit in the yard, looking at the flowers growing freely, taking deep breaths, and listening to birds singing.

At meal times, Chris would come to get her. The first time Lena saw the fancy meal Chris had made-four dishes and soup-her calm expression turned into one of amazement.

"How is it?" Chris, who still had on an apron, proudly showed her the dishes. "Try it. It's going to make your taste buds dance!"

"How did you learn to cook like this? I thought..."

"Thought I'd blow up the kitchen like those two spoiled heirs?" Chris chuckled.

He had shredded the potatoes that way back in the Thompsons the last time just to preserve Zuko's pride.

"When I first joined the military, I was assigned to the mess hall. Frying, sautéing, and cooking are all basic skills!"

Lena stared at him in a daze. Whenever he came close, she could smell the lingering aroma of cooking on him. She remembered someone saying that men were cuter when they cooked than when they smoked. She understood it now.

Who wouldn't want to share their life with a man who possessed both a rugged charm and domestic qualities? Plus, he was adept at handling a sniper rifle...

A light blush appeared on Lena's cheeks, but the slight flutter in her heart settled swiftly like a warm iron smoothing out wrinkled fabric.

Chris readied another meal that night and called her in from the yard.

Lena's movement was still limited, so Chris had been carrying her to and fro the house whenever necessary these days. Today was the same-gently, he settled her into her seat.

"I've cooked fried mushroom slices." Chris beamed. "They're fresh from the lady who lives at the beginning of the village! Have a taste."

Lena pursed her lips slightly.

Chris had an outgoing personality. While he stayed in the village, he occasionally assisted the villagers with tasks besides taking care of Lena. Gradually, the villagers grew attached to him. Lena recalled a specific day when a middle-aged woman living at the village's entrance appeared as if she intended to introduce her daughter to Chris.

An uncomfortable feeling stirred within her. She took a bite of the mushroom slice but sensed no freshness. Instead, it left a sour taste in her mouth. Setting her fork down abruptly, Lena fixed her gaze on Chris.

Caught off guard by her intense stare, Chris dropped the mushroom slice he had just picked up back onto the plate, his eyes widening as he looked at her.

"W-What's... What's the matter?"

Lena stared at him momentarily, then uttered a few words through her gritted teeth, "Too sour, not good."

Chris initially looked at her with an innocent expression before bursting into laughter. "I added vinegar dressing for the salad! Who told you to dip the mushroom in it? Hahaha..."

As his eyes met Lena's, his laughter abruptly stopped.

Lena looked downward, considering that she might have been imagining things. She had mistakenly placed the fried mushroom into the vinegar dressing dish.

"Um... Maybe try something else?" Chris attempted to appease her, sliding a plate of shrimp her way. He added with a smile, "I was thinking of preparing some raw sliced fish for you, but I don't want to take chances since your injuries haven't completely healed yet. It's better to avoid raw foods... I promise, once you're better, I'll make it!"

Lena glanced at him and then at the vinegar dressing plate. She remembered that Chris didn't know how to make the dressing-but the woman did, and her daughter was even better at it!

With that realization, Lena's jealousy began to ferment slowly...

Meanwhile, Chris, unaware of what Lena was thinking, felt confused. Was there really no food on this table that she liked?

Reflecting on this, he set down his utensils and remained seated, motionless.

"L-Lena." He grinned awkwardly, attempting to change the subject. "Let's talk about how you got hurt. Why are you so certain that Kaitlyn had someone attack you?"

Lena maintained a blank expression. "She's the most suspicious."

"Just because she once snooped around Uncle Nicholas' study?"

"Yes," Lena replied lightly. "Also, she thinks I'm not normal. Someone who thinks someone else is odd must be suspicious, too."

"Well..." Chris was both amused and exasperated.

This was a new kind of reasoning to him, yet it strangely made sense.

"Forgive my bluntness, Lena." He continued. "In the military, we never really encountered this sort of logic. Normally, when everyone considers someone odd, that person is often the one who's actually different.

"But, you see, you don't really fit that pattern. Because, from our viewpoint, neither you nor Kaitlyn quite fit the norm."

"Oh?" Lena raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to reason with me?"

"I'm just trying to analyze..." Chris's voice faded as he looked at her. Then he changed what he was about to say. "My analysis is probably wrong. I've spent many years in the military, and there's a gap between military knowledge and everyday life."

"Okay, good to know." Lena nodded and replied, "People often think I'm different, but that doesn't bother me. I just want to follow my heart..."

"Your heart... does it belong to the Thompsons?" Chris asked cautiously, "Or is it all about Pammy?"

"Yes," Lena said firmly.

"Why?"

Lena lowered her gaze and stayed quiet.

"Can you share with me? I'm quite curious," Chris grinned. "Is there some history between you and the Thompsons? You were right by Pammy's side, guarding her closely on her wedding day! Zuko even got a bit jealous!"

Lena remained silent as she poured the vinegar dressing onto the salad and took a bite.

The dressing was skillfully prepared...

While eating, she imagined a scene where Chris and the woman's daughter laughed together while making the dressing in the kitchen.

Unbeknownst to Chris, who was trying to engage Lena in conversation, her imagination was running wild. He persistently questioned why she treated Lina so well.

"Why? Lena, why?"

Growing irritated, Lena felt a sour taste in her mouth and her heart. She snapped, "Why do you ask? I like her, okay?"

Chris was taken aback, and the food in his mouth suddenly lost its flavor...