Ch. 1371..1380

Chapter 1371

Chapter 1371

Lena and Jade were briefly shocked. They noticed Jacquelin approaching from a short distance, swaying her hips as she walked. Her perfume's scent reached them even before she arrived. Lena furrowed her brow as she found the fragrance overwhelmingly pungent.

"A pheasant should add a few more feathers to become a peacock!" Jacquelin taunted, glancing at Lena. "Right, Lena?"

Lena glanced at her coldly but did not say anything.

Jade immediately chimed in. "Jacquelin, how are the house sales going? It seems like you haven't met your target for this month yet."

"Ms. Neale, you-"

"Do you dare to say that I've set too high a target for you each month?" Jade smiled. "You know well how you've been achieving them each month. Relying solely on connections won't take you far." Jacquelin rolled her eyes dramatically. The board member from the Thompson Group was several ranks above Jade, but she was currently under Jade's jurisdiction. Moreover, her relationship with that board member was not one to see the light.

Jacquelin snorted and turned to leave but overheard Jade continuing her conversation with Lena. "I haven't finished. Women should dress well to boost their confidence, not to please men or engage in unethical activities!"

Jacquelin turned back and barked, "Ms. Neale, who are you talking about?!"

"What's the matter?" Jade remained indifferent. "I didn't mention you. Why are you getting so worked up?"

"You're clearly..." Jacquelin's words faltered halfway as she looked at the duo, fuming. Never mind that she was usually under Jade's control. With Lena present now, she had to endure the annoyance of another person.

Jade smiled. "Alright, get back to whatever you're supposed to do! I hope everyone has good results today!"

Jacquelin glared at Lena, but the latter did not even spare her a glance. The sales center was currently devoid of clients, and some salespeople were making calls to old customers.

Lena did not have any old clients, so she was quietly reviewing materials and studying the mockups, familiarizing herself with the details of each building.

She knew that opportunities were for those who were prepared. As long as she was ready, achieving good sales performance was just a matter of time.

With that in mind, she chuckled softly and dedicated herself even more to her tasks.

It was then she heard Jacqueline's shrill and excited voice. "Oh my, Ms. Renee!"

Lena's heart skipped a beat. Looking up, she saw Renee entering the lobby. Almost all the salespeople gathered around her, including Jade, who walked up with a smile and polite nod. "Ms. Renee, what brings you here today?"

Jacquelin was even quicker on her feet, hurrying over with coffee and pastries as she ushered Renee into the VIP room.

Renee asked everyone to return to their tasks with a smile and told them not to mind her presence. She kept only Jade and Jacquelin in the room.

"Ms. Renee." Jade assumed that Renee had been informed by Lina and had come to inspect their work. She took out the recent records to show her. "Here are the sales figures. If we compare them to the last quarter..."

"Alright, you can put that down for now." Renee sipped her coffee, her gaze wandering outside.

In fact, the moment she entered, she noticed Lena standing in the lobby. She had not expected to see Lena in a sky-blue blouse, a knee-length white skirt, and a pair of cream high heels.

Lena was a completely different person now-and even more unusual was her makeup.

Renee frowned, feeling that the lipstick color on Lena was...

"Ms. Renee?" Jacquelin inquired, flashing a friendly smile. "Is everything okay? Are you observing Lena? Should I get her here?"

"No, it's fine," Renee replied, regaining her composure. She pretended to review some records while discreetly checking last month's figures. As Jacquelin had informed her earlier, Lena hadn't completed any sales tasks in the past six weeks.

Renee raised her head and coincidentally locked eyes with Jacquelin. Both women exchanged a subtle, knowing glance. Jacquelin nodded at Renee almost unnoticeably.

Renee cleared her throat, speaking deliberately. "Lena seems to have not completed any sales tasks, right?"

"Yes!" Jacquelin laughed. "Ms. Renee, you should know she looks like she bears a grudge against the entire world. She wears a long face every day! No clients dare to come in whenever she stands at the sales department's entrance... Hahaha!"

"Jacqueline!" Jade's tone was serious. "Is your work finished?"

"Ms. Neale!" Jacquelin had no fear. "Ms. Renee is a shareholder. She hardly visits. I ought to give her an accurate report of the situation!"

Just as Jade was about to speak, Renee interrupted her.

Jacquelin gloated. Ever since she caught Renee glancing at Lena during the last company meeting, she had pieced together something about their connection. It probably wasn't a friendly one. In fact, they might just be rivals.

With this in mind, Jacquelin realized she had to choose her alliance wisely. After all, Renee was Lina's cousin and a shareholder. Lena, on the other hand... Well, who could say what her background was beyond Jade's protectiveness?

Jacquelin swiftly threw her support behind Renee because she always aimed to please those above her and held a dismissive attitude toward those below.

She enthusiastically exaggerated Lena's performance and even offered suggestions to help Renee out. "The Thompson Group doesn't keep useless people. Everyone knows this! Those without performance naturally need to be cleared out!"

Due to her own selfish motives, Renee gradually got closer to Jacquelin. Her visit today was an attempt to take advantage of Lena's weak spot and get her out of the Thompson Group.

So what even if Lina found out? She was also a shareholder of the company. Did she lack the authority to sack someone?

Renee took a deep breath and turned to Jade with a smile. "Ms. Neale, it seems that Lena hasn't met her sales targets for over a month."

Jade remained composed. "Ms. Thompson, the company's typical salesperson development period is three months to half a year. Even our current top salesperson didn't achieve any results when they first joined the sales department."

"But the company doesn't keep non-performers," Renee stated firmly. "As a shareholder of the company, I should also be responsible for it."

Jade frowned. "Ms. Thompson, you—"

"Have Lena leave," Renee enunciated each word. "Ms. Neale, every person in the sales department should do their part and not only draw a basic salary here, right?"

Chapter 1372

Chapter 1372

Jade's expression was serious. "Ms. Thompson, let's leave aside the fact that the Thompson Group isn't a dictatorship. Your authority doesn't extend to the point of dismissing an employee arbitrarily!" Renee stared at Jade, her fists clenched and trembling. She felt nervous about this visit, but Jacquelin had been adamant that she, as a shareholder of the Thompson Group and the boss' niece, had limitless power.

What's more, Renee was eager to kick out Lena. Plus, the fact that Lina wasn't at the company today presented a rare chance.

However, she hadn't anticipated the typically quiet Jade would become her greatest obstacle.

Jacquelin scoffed. "Ms. Neale, you've been with the company for a long time. Must you really feign oblivion? Ms. Renee is Mr. Thompson's niece. Are you not heeding her words?"

"The Thompson Group is a modern company, not a family workshop. No matter the situation, no individual can make decisions on their own." Jade glanced at Jacquelin. "Besides, is this your place to interfere?"

Jacquelin rolled her eyes and looked at Renee for help.

"No individual can make decisions on their own?" Renee sneered. "Ms. Neale, how did Lena join the company? Was there a proper recruitment process? Did the board of directors approve it?

"If these procedures were not followed, and she can't achieve any results, why should the Thompson Group keep her?"

Jade looked alarmed.

"Ask her to leave," Renee said softly. "Let HR handle the rest. Follow the proper procedures."

"Follow the proper procedures?" Jade asked. "Then, according to procedures, you're a company shareholder, Ms. Thompson. You participate only in profit sharing. You have no right to interfere in terms of management!"

"What did you say?"

"I respect your status as Mr. Thompson's niece and Ms. Pamela's cousin, and I've always spoken to you politely. But if you insist on following proper procedures, then I'll speak to you strictly according to the rules!"

"Jade! You..."

"Ms. Neale, have you lost your mind?" Jacquelin chimed in. "How can you speak to Ms. Renee this way, given her status?!"

Jade smiled faintly, her gaze sharp. "Ms. Thompson, when I show respect for your status, you want to talk about rules. Now that I'm talking about the rules, you want to oppress me with your status? The world doesn't work this way!"

Renee turned pale as she stared at Jade, unable to retort.

Jacquelin was all bark and no bite, turning into a mute at that critical moment.

Lena stood outside the door, hearing everything clearly. She knew exactly what Renee wanted-not just to make her leave the Thompsons but also to kick her out of the Thompson Group.

She was just about to open the door when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Startled, she quickly turned around and met a pair of bright eyes. Those eyes were gentle, like a cozy winter sun, instantly warming her heart.

"You're... Ms. Bayer?" Lena widened her eyes.

Arya made a shushing gesture, patted her shoulder, and nodded.

"Ms. Bayer, you..."

Arya smiled and coughed loudly, raising her voice. "I'm here to look at the properties!"

The VIP room instantly quieted down. In a matter of seconds, Jacquelin was the first to rush out and immediately recognized her as the Bayer heiress!

Renee also followed her out. However, Jacquelin had already forgotten all about her, bustling around Arya.

Jade was accustomed to Jacquelin's behavior and sneered lightly, stepping forward to respectfully greet Arya.

"You're Ms. Neale of the sales department, right?" Arya was frank. "I'd like to have a look at the properties. If there's a suitable one for a studio, I'll take it. Would that be alright with you?"

"Of course." Jade nodded.

"Which salesperson can show me around?"

Chapter 1373

Chapter 1373

"Me!" Jacquelin eagerly handed over her business card. "Ms. Bayer, I'm a top-tier sales representative here. I'm very familiar with all the units and layouts of these houses. I also have discounts that I can offer you, guaranteed satisfaction!"

Jade ignored Jacquelin after a glance at her and turned to attend to other matters.

Renee stood to the side, clutching her bag tightly with eyes fixed on Arya and Lena.

She saw that while Arya was smiling at Jacquelin, she was holding Lena's hand the whole time. Then, she noticed how Arya was ordering around Jacquelin.

Arya would ask for a certain brand of mineral water one moment and then request another brand of tissue the next, even though these items were not available in the sales center.

Jacquelin hurried out to buy them just to please Arya. As she passed by Renee, it was as if she had not seen her.

Renee bit her lip, the knot in her chest tightening and making breathing difficult.

"Ms. Bayer..." Lena looked at Arya and hesitated to speak.

"Calling me that is too formal. You can just call me Arya."

Lena froze. Looking at Arya's sincere smile, she thought of Lina. Both of them were the same kind of people, reflecting the beauty of the entire world when they smiled. "While Jacquelin isn't here, tell me about the houses here!"

"Me?"

"Yes." Arya nodded. "She's too noisy. I don't like her, so I sent her away for a bit."

Lena regained her composure and spoke gently. "If you're looking for a studio, I suggest avoiding a large one. These small loft-style units are budget-friendly. They come already renovated and furnished, have great ocean-facing views, and might provide more creative inspiration."

Arya chuckled. "Others all want to sell big houses, but you know how to save money for me!"

"I think suitability is the most important," Lena said seriously, "Moreover, this whole project is personally designed and closely overseen by Ms. Lina. There's no problem with the quality! The interior design and furniture were also personally selected by her. They'll surely match your taste. It's a good deal to buy it."

"Oh, you're making Lina sound so amazing!" Arya smiled. "I asked you to introduce the houses, but you've just been talking about her!"

Lena felt a bit embarrassed.

"Alright, bring the contract!"

"What?"

"That unit you just mentioned, pick one for me. I'll pay in full."

Lena stared at Arya, unable to believe her ears.

Arya leaned closer to her, saying, "This is the first unit you've sold, so this counts as your sales performance, right? I heard everything they said in that room just now.

"Lena, they can't force you out once you show sales achievement, right?"

"Ms. Bayer..." Lena was dumbfounded but quickly recovered and prepared the contract.

Arya signed her name on it without any hesitation.

"I was planning to buy a studio anyway." Arya grinned. "I heard you're selling houses here, so I rushed over! Why let others make this money when I can give it to someone from our own side?" "You heard?" Lena's heart skipped a beat. "From who?"

"Who else could it be? Other than that certain person, who else would care for you so much in this world?"

Lena blushed.

Not far away, Renee observed their interaction, her eyes red with burning rage.

Chapter 1374

Chapter 1374

"Arya Comics" had found its home and was about to officially open for business. Arya had taken on all the roles herself, from author and editor to handling administrative and financial tasks, keeping herself incredibly busy.

Graham, who was overseas, wanted to help but could not. Thus, he called the Hamerton brothers, asking them to take care of her.

Zuko was already overwhelmed managing the Hamerton Group, so the responsibility naturally fell on Toph, who had relatively little to do.

The tiny kittens grew up slowly, and Arya found them a new home in her studio.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled her studio, mingling with the scent of her computer and drawing board. She could hear the distant waves and see a picturesque view through the French windows. When Toph first visited the studio, this was the scene that captivated him. His heart felt incomplete, like a puzzle missing a piece, and that missing piece was the kind of life he had longed for.

"Arya, your place is really nice!" He looked around enviously. "It would be so great to have a place like this to paint quietly!"

Arya frowned and chuckled. "Why are you saying it so pitifully? As if Hamerton Manor doesn't have a studio for you."

Toph sighed. "Ah, it's not the same!"

In the Hamertons, painting could be a hobby but not a career. It could be an embellishment to life but not the ultimate goal of life.

Henry, his grandfather, was a true artist. He dedicated his entire life to calligraphy, painting, seal carving, and sculpture. However, despite his passion and talent, he went unnoticed throughout his lifetime.

In the Hamertons, no one considered his career successful. When people mentioned the pillars of the Hamerton Group, they only acknowledged Zephyr and Zuko.

Toph had been to his grandfather's studio. He also had his own studio. He could paint undisturbed there, and the painting materials were undoubtedly the best. However, his talent felt caged in a place that did not recognize him, unable to spread its wings and fly.

"It's still better to have like-minded people!" Toph's eyes lit up. "By the way, Graham asked me to help you... How about I work for you?"

Arya was taken aback. "What?"

"I also like drawing comics!" Toph exclaimed. "I'll work for you. You can draw the main characters, and I'll be in charge of drawing background characters and such. Our collaboration would be more efficient, right?"

Arya was interested but had some concerns.

Toph looked at her earnestly. "Arya, considering we grew up together, just let me draw with you!"

He genuinely wanted to find something to do. The last time Renee said he only knew how to have fun, it greatly impacted him. He did not want to be seen as useless in her eyes. He wanted to do his best to become irreplaceable to her.

It was just that managing a company required talent. Unfortunately, his talents did not lie in that area.

"I only like drawing and gaming." Toph scratched his head. "With your studio now, I can combine the two things I like. How about this? I'll work for you without pay as long as I can draw here!"

Arya chuckled. "Forget it. I don't want to cause trouble."

"What do you mean?"

"Toph..." Arya hesitated. "To be honest with you, I might have offended your girlfriend."

"Huh?" Toph was surprised.

"It was the day I bought this place," Arya said truthfully. "I overheard them saying that Lena made no sales and wanted to dismiss her in the VIP room. I-I couldn't stand by, so I bought this house to help Lena achieve her sales.

"I thought it was just a couple of nosy salespeople in there, but I didn't expect that the one speaking was your girlfriend..."

Toph fell silent.

Surprisingly, Renee hadn't given up. She persisted in trying to remove Lena from her life. Instead of opening up, she had grown more fixated, holding Lena responsible for Kaitlyn's death.

"Toph, I'm really sorry." Arya looked at him earnestly. "I've offended your girlfriend. If you come here to paint...

"In short, I believe that doing this is not appropriate. If someday your girlfriend and I can sort out this matter and you have her approval, then I won't have anything to say.

"But if... you just come here to draw without discussing it with her, it might be unfair to her.

"Toph, can you understand my perspective?"

Toph scratched his hair and sighed softly.

"We'll talk about this next time," he said with a heavy tone. "By the way, Arya, I actually came today to give you an invitation."

Arya smiled wryly. She dreaded these boring banquets the most. Everyone would be laughing, yet nobody really laughed. These hypocritical gatherings were like hell on Earth for her.

"Don't worry. It's my mother's birthday!"

Cordelia's birthday was celebrated every year with decorations personally arranged by Zephyr. This year's birthday party would be held outdoors. Zephyr wanted to fill the yard and even the private road outside the manor with purple irises.

The flowers were delivered, but the workload was too much. As such, Zephyr grabbed his two sons to help.

On the day before the birthday party, Zuko put aside all his work, and Toph stopped trying for his game levels. They both braved the scorching sun to plant irises in the yard.

Toph, almost burnt to a crisp, cried out to the sky, "When will days like this end?"

The house had gardeners, service staff, and even professional landscape designers! But Zephyr insisted on doing it himself.

Toph whined, "Bro, why is it that every time our parents display their affection, it's us who suffer?"

Zuko frowned and placed a purple iris into a hole.

"Ah, Zuko!" Toph leaned over. "What do you think dad is giving mom this time?"

"Don't know." Zuko was indifferent. "Common gifts are too ordinary, and mom wouldn't like them."

"Then..." Toph smiled. "Is dad wrapping himself up as a gift for mom?"

"Not only himself." Zuko chuckled. "But also his cigarettes and his 70-dollar allowance!"

Chapter 1375

Chapter 1375

Toph could not contain his hearty laughter, distracting Zephyr, who was concentrating on his work. It did not take long for him to receive a death glare from his father... Zuko, who was always sharp, immediately lowered his head and diligently planted the flowers, occasionally glancing at his father with a mischievous grin.

Before long, Lina came to help as well.

Night descended quietly, and they had just finished planting the final purple iris. The two brothers released a sigh of relief.

Even now, Toph remained curious, especially keen to discover the birthday gift his father would give to his mother.

Zephyr chuckled triumphantly. He looked at his two sons, then at Lina. "Alright, I'll let you guys have a sneak peek!"

Toph was excited, dancing around. "Really?!"

Zuko was calmer. He tugged at Toph's clothes and whispered, "I already have a pretty good guess about what dad will give."

"Huh?"

"It's something that needs rehearsal," Zuko said calmly. "Otherwise, why would he show it to you beforehand? He's treating us as the audience, asking for our opinions, and checking if there's anything that needs improving in this gift!"

Toph looked bewildered.

Meanwhile, Zephyr had already walked to a nearby spot and started giving instructions.

A massive projection suddenly appeared in the night sky, with countless lights illuminating a rainbow-like path!

The subsequent frames displayed the evolution of Zephyr and Cordelia's relationship-from their youth to the present day. From their early days of being together, to their mutual affection, and then the addition of a chubby little baby...

Later on, the chubby kid became two chubby kids. Now, the chubby kids had grown into handsome young men, with one of them having his own family.

This projection was a huge expense and utilized the most advanced technology available. Every scene seemed so close as if they could be touched.

The backdrop was a deep blue night sky, where starlight and lamplight interweaved to present the memories in their entirety.

Toph watched in astonishment. Then he looked at the composed Zuko and could not help but give his older brother a thumbs up.

"Zuko, you really got it right..."

Zephyr chuckled smugly and approached his sons. "So, how is it? How many points would you give this gift? Is there anything that needs improvement?"

Zuko and Toph exchanged glances. They each put an arm around their father's shoulders and said together, "It's perfect! 100 points!"

Zephyr straightened his back proudly.

"Dad, I can guarantee that mom will be deeply moved after seeing this!" Toph laughed. "Who knows? She might be so touched that your 70-dollar allowance increases to 100 dollars- Ouch!" Before he finished speaking, Zephyr smacked his head.

Zuko and Lina laughed at the scene with their hands held.

Zephyr went back early to spend time with Cordelia after that, leaving the young ones to themselves.

Concerned that Lina might be hungry, Zuko had already asked for dinner in the living room and pulled her over.

Toph seemed like an oversized third wheel, following the couple for the meal with a grumpy face.

"Mom and dad's relationship is enviable." Lina smiled and said, "Honey, will we be as affectionate as them in the future?"

"Of course!" Zuko meticulously removed a fishbone and placed the fish on her plate. "We'll be even more affectionate than them!"

Toph cast them a look. "Dinner can't even plug your affectionate speech now, can it?"

Zuko and Lina laughed. However, Toph was not joking. He was actually feeling a bit unhappy. After all, he also had a girlfriend.

Chapter 1376

Chapter 1376

Despite that...

Toph took out his phone, the screen pitch black. He scrolled through his recent chat history with Renee, each message feeling like he was talking to himself.

[Have you eaten?]

[What are you doing at home?]

[Do you want to go out for a walk today?]

No response to any of them.

However, it was not like this in the past. Previously, the reply would be almost immediate no matter who messaged the other. They could talk about even the most trivial matters, like seeing a small flower by the road, finding a cute baby laughing, or the weather being really sunny for a long time.

Toph felt a bit downcast as he dug into the food.

Just then, Wendy brought in some guests.

"Zuko, Toph!"

It was easy to know who it was judging by that sweet voice.

Arya entered the living room, her face lit up with a smile. To everyone's surprise, Chris and Lena followed closely behind, holding hands. Their eyes radiated happiness, tinged with a touch of shyness. Lina and Zuko exchanged a glance, sharing an understanding smile.

"This is amazing! You three came together!" Toph's previous gloominess vanished as he warmly welcomed them. "Join us for a meal! I'll ask Aunt Wendy to prepare a few more dishes."

"No need," Arya replied. "I've already eaten, and they've probably had their special pizza of love!

"We happened to run into each other outside the estate, so we came together." Arya looked at the Hamerton brothers. "I'm here today to give Aunt Cordelia her present in advance! My dad got a good piece of jade, had it carved into the shape of a peony, symbolizing prosperity, and is gifting it to Aunt Cordelia!

"As for mine, I'll bring it tomorrow during the birthday party!"

"Thank you so much." Zuko smiled and nodded.

"This is nothing! My dad said that the gift might not be anything much, but the sentiment behind it is strong. He hopes that Uncle Zephyr and Aunt Cordelia won't mind!" "How could they?!" Toph laughed heartily. "Anything Uncle Josiah gives must be good stuff! Oh, hey Chris, what are you bringing to wish my mom a happy birthday?" Chris shrugged. "I'll just be here tomorrow to enjoy the food and drinks. Not bringing anything!"

Toph playfully attempted to punch him.

"Alright, alright, I was joking!" Chris chuckled. "I'm the same as Arya. I'll present my gift tomorrow. But tonight, there's someone who wants to give her gift!" Lena had been keeping her eyes down all this while. She was so quiet that everyone almost overlooked her.

She stepped forward gently, presenting a beautifully packaged box to Lina. There was a scarf inside, made of natural silk, with a refreshing and beautiful pattern. "This is..." Lina paused.

"This is the birthday gift I prepared for Mrs. Hamerton," Lena said softly. "Compared to what they've brought, this is insignificant. Still, it's a token of my sincerity." Lina held her hand, feeling a wave of warmth.

She had heard from Jade that Lena had sold a property and used most of the money to buy this silk scarf. It might not compare to priceless jade or gemstones, but it was likely the best gift that Lena could offer Lina sometimes found Lena quite peculiar.

Why was she like that? Why did she treat her enthusiastically and extend the same warmth to everyone around her? Was this truly some kind of special destiny?

Lina could not quite fathom it, but she knew she was becoming increasingly reluctant to lose Lena.

Chapter 1377

Chapter 1377

Chris said with a smile, "Pammy, even though it's just a silk scarf, it's not at all cheap! And as Arya just said, the significance of the gift lies in the sentiment behind it!"

"Of course, I know!" Lina held Lena's hand and smiled at Arya. "Arya, thank you. I've heard from Lenny that it was you who bought the studio and put the sales under her name." "Just a small effort," Arya said softly. "This is Lenny's first sale. It's a promising start and will only improve in the future!"

Lina raised a glass as a toast. "Here's to your studio thriving!"

Speaking of the studio, Arya wrinkled her brows and sighed lightly.

"What's the matter?"

"Oh, the deadline for the second volume is approaching, but I've been running low on inspiration lately. No matter how I draw the main characters, I can't get them to look the way I want." Toph looked at her. "Is the publishing house pressuring you a lot?"

"Yeah..."

Just as Arya was speaking, her phone rang. She went outside to answer it and talked for a while before returning, looking slightly overwhelmed.

"It's alright." Chris chuckled. "Let Toph draw for you, free labor!"

Upon hearing that, Arya's eyes suddenly lit up.

Not because she heard the offer of free labor but because she suddenly realized something.

"Hey, Chris!" Arya yelled, "Don't move from there! Yes... Lena, don't move either!

"I just realized that you two standing together gives off a comic character vibe!

"Hold on..."

Arya hastily rummaged through her bag. She developed a habit over the years to carry a sketchbook and pencils everywhere. Finding a suitable angle, she sat down and started sketching the characters. Toph stood behind her, watching intently.

Arya had a deep foundation in drawing, so she had managed to outline the basic features quickly. With some refinement, the two characters greeted them back on paper.

At a glance, it was also obvious she had drawn them based on Chris and Lena!

Zuko and Lina praised her, but Toph pointed out a few places with a frown.

Arya had tried modifying those spots several times, but she could not get them right no matter what.

Toph was getting impatient. "Just tear me a piece of paper!"

Arya hurriedly complied, handing him both paper and pencil.

Toph drew fast, probably because he had been drawing since elementary school. His grasp of character expressions was quite accurate, and his drawing was on par with Arya's. If one did not look closely, one might even think the same person drew it.

The room was quiet, with only the sounds of pencils scratching on paper.

Before long, Toph smiled, handing over a sketch of the same male and female leads from a different angle.

Arya examined it closely. Not only did Toph capture the essence well, but he also perfected the areas she struggled with earlier.

The two of them exchanged a smile and worked together to merge the two sketches onto a single page.

"Wow!" Even the usually composed Chris could not help but exclaim upon seeing the drawing. "This... This is just..."

"Really good at drawing, right?" Toph raised an eyebrow. "Well, Lena already has a good foundation. It's like drawing from a template. As for you... I really had to work hard to make you look this handsome! Sigh, I'm a million-dollar photo retouching editor, after all! Hahaha!"

"Chris gestured as if he was going to punch him. "Honestly, though, it's my first time modeling!"

Arya giggled. "You have a good build-almost perfect proportions and long legs. It's a waste you aren't a comic character! Heh, but it's not like you can't model in real life anyway!

"Pammy, the Thompson Group started from Sol Entertainment, right? Get him a job so he doesn't start balding too early!"

Laughter erupted from the living room.

Chris protested, "Arya! Stop it! I still have hair!"

Once he said that, the others laughed even more.

Zuko and Toph each hooked an arm around Chris, their laughter quite loud.

"That's right, that's right!" Toph looked at Arya. "Save him some pride in front of Lena! Besides, where did you get the idea that he's balding?"

"Exactly!" Zuko smirked. "He not only has a lot of hair on his head, but there's also..."

As he spoke, he looked downward.

Chris suddenly realized what they were implying and chased after the brothers, filling the living room with youthful vigor.

Zephyr and Cordelia watched them from a distance, sharing a smile.

Chapter 1378

Chapter 1378

"Isn't it great being young?"

"They're all a bunch of kids." Zephyr looked at his wife with an indulgent gaze. "Our age is better!"

"I'm really grateful that I've had you by my side throughout these years." Cordelia held his hand, gently leaning on his shoulder. "Now that Zuko and Pammy have found happiness, we just need a grandchild!" "Well... I want a granddaughter."

Having a grandson would be nice, but Zephyr especially wanted a cute little granddaughter. He could imagine himself and Cordelia taking their well-dressed granddaughter, who looked like a princess, out in public. They would surely be the most fashionable grandparents!

"Alright, a granddaughter!" Cordelia looked at him helplessly, then furrowed her brow slightly. "Even Chris and Lena are together now, but Toph..."

"What about Toph?"

Cordelia hesitated and muttered, "Don't you think there's something off about Toph's recent relationship? It feels a bit stifling."

"You mean..." Zephyr had noticed it too, but maybe because he was older, he didn't want to think negatively.

"Yes." Cordelia nodded with a trace of concern in her eyes. "I always feel that Renee's changed. Ever since her mother passed away, she's been caught in her own turmoil. If things continue like this, I'm afraid Toph might suffer!"

Zephyr looked at her silently.

Cordelia pursed her lips and asked softly, "Darling, am I selfish? I only think about our child..."

"Silly goose, that's a mother's instinct!" Zephyr embraced her, gently caressing her shoulder. "It's just that Renee's life has been so rocky. If we mistreat her, it won't be right.

"But we can't let her hurt our child just because of her difficult background." Zephyr's gaze was deep. "We'll have to talk to Nicholas and Linda about this."

Cordelia's birthday party was grand yet warm. Besides the massive aerial projection, Zephyr also gave her an invaluable ruby.

Cordelia disliked extravagance, so she only invited close friends and family to the event, those with whom she regularly stayed in touch.

In the past, gatherings were lively with friends and family, each bringing their young children. But now, those children had grown up, and the friends and family had reached middle age. These gatherings had transformed into occasions for reminiscing about the past and discussing life.

The party became the younger generation's turf.

Zuko and Lina became the mainstays of the family, courteously receiving and entertaining the guests on behalf of Cordelia and Zephyr.

Toph was still the life of the party, mingling and laughing among his friends as he moved through the crowd, holding Renee's hand.

On the other side...

Lena had not wanted to attend but could not resist Chris' persistent persuasion. Her presence immediately attracted many curious gazes.

Everyone was talking animatedly about the heroine who had once saved Janine. They did not expect her to be such a beauty. What was even more unexpected was that she managed to win over the oblivious Chris!

Lena walked with her head down, feeling embarrassed under the scrutiny.

Chris held her hand, beaming with pride as he greeted people left and right, ensuring everyone knew she was his girlfriend.

"Lena!" Arya exclaimed, approaching with a radiant smile and a glass of champagne in hand. "You're wearing that outfit today? I mentioned the other day how great this light blue color looks on you, especially with your fair complexion!"

Lena politely nodded at her with a smile.

"Oh? Why are your hands empty again?" Arya glanced at her, then immediately had someone fetch her own white handbag.

"No, Ms. Bayer, how could I-"

"There's no need to be so polite!" Arya handed her the handbag. "This outfit looks great with this bag!"

Lena wanted to decline, but Arya pouted, pretending to be upset. "You don't have to feel bad about it! I love seeing beautiful things paired with beautiful people! Since this bag suits you so well, you should take it! After all, I doubt even Chris could find something so suitable."

"That's right." Chris grinned. "Arya is one of us. No need to be so polite!"

Lena's heart warmed. She looked at Arya and accepted the offer. She would remember this favor, reminding herself to repay it double-fold in the future.

Not far away, Toph was chatting with friends, and Renee was by his side.

Suddenly, Renee turned and saw the bag in Lena's hand. She was surprised and quickly moved her handbag out of sight.

These two bags were actually the same!

Chapter 1379

Chapter 1379

Renee kept staring in that direction, feeling an uncomfortable knot in her heart. Her white pearl handbag was a gift from Lina, but what about Lena's? Who was she to use something just like hers?

Renee bit her lip, swiftly slipping her handbag under a certain table and covering it with the tablecloth.

"Renee?" Toph handed her a glass of champagne, noticing her distracted look. "What's wrong?"

Renee gently shook her head, not looking too good.

"Let me take you to see my mom." Toph grinned. "My mom's been wanting to see you! Perfect timing that you're wearing the ring today. Let's show it to her!"

Renee was startled and pulled her hand away the instant Toph held her hand.

Le Fari was slightly too big on her finger, almost slipping off onto the floor.

"Renee, w-what's wrong?" Toph watched her expression cautiously.

"Nothing." Renee took a deep breath. "I saw Lena."

"Oh." Toph tried hard to keep her happy and hugged her. "It's fine. If you'd rather not deal with her, we won't. But she's here with Chris, so I should at least be civil to Chris for our brotherhood's sake. Also, it's my mom's birthday today, and I wouldn't want..."

Renee turned toward him with a warm smile. "Where are your thoughts wandering, Toph? I never intended to create any trouble."

Toph was puzzled and gazed at her.

"Toph, I'm not a petty person." Renee spoke softly. "If she does end up with Chris eventually, we'll all be connected as a family. We're bound to cross paths. There's no need for me to escalate things with her." "Renee! You've really come to terms with it?" Toph exclaimed.

Renee looked at him. There always seemed to be a hint of complexity in her eyes that he could not decipher.

"I haven't." Her voice was very soft. "But for your sake, I'm willing to give it a try."

Toph did not say anything for a while. He held her tightly in his arms, her faint fragrance lingering around his nose. At that moment, he felt like the once innocent, introverted, and slightly naive Renee had returned.

When Toph took Renee to greet Chris and Lena, everyone present was surprised. Once the two explained their intentions, everyone let out a silent sigh of relief.

Although Zuko and Lina found it hard to believe, they remembered that Renee was once an upright and kind girl. Her current change was probably just a return to her true nature.

After chatting for a while, Zuko and Lina had to go attend to other guests while Renee said she wanted to go to the restroom.

It was not convenient for Toph and Chris to accompany her, so she turned her gaze to Lena. "Could you do me a favor and go with me?"

Lena was taken aback. She had not seen Renee this gentle for a long time.

She thought about refusing, thinking, 'You're an adult now. Can't you go to the restroom by yourself?'

When the words reached her lips, she swallowed them back. After all, Renee was Lina's cousin.

Lena hesitated for a moment before giving a gentle nod. When their eyes met, she noticed a hint of something sinister in Renee's gaze.

After leaving the restroom, Lena rejoined Chris. Meanwhile, Toph took Renee elsewhere to enjoy themselves.

Noticing Lena's troubled expression, Chris inquired, "Is there something on your mind?"

Lena forced a smile. "Maybe there are just too many people here. I do have a bit of a headache."

"In that case, let's go greet Uncle Zephyr and Aunt Cordelia. We can leave a bit earlier!" Chris patted her head. "You probably haven't eaten enough. I'll take you to have some pizza!"

Lena nodded with a smile.

Just then, a commotion erupted in the crowd.

"My ring is missing!" Renee exclaimed anxiously, "Toph, what should I do? My ring is gone..."

Toph was also worried. "Weren't you wearing it just now?"

"Yes! I went to the restroom, and now it's gone! I remember I put it in my bag..."

"Then where's your bag?"

Renee had nothing in her hands.

Lena's heart raced, and she instinctively reached into her bag. To her surprise, her fingers brushed against something hard, resembling a ring. Suddenly, it hit her!

In the restroom earlier, Renee had scrutinized her bag for an extended period and asked in an odd tone, "Is this bag a gift from Lina, too?" Back then, Lena hadn't responded or thought much about the word "too".

Now, it dawned on her that Renee probably hadn't witnessed Arya gifting her the bag, leading her to assume it was from Lina.

This explained why Renee had hatched this scheme to falsely accuse her of theft, claiming she had stolen the Hamerton family heirloom!

Chapter 1380

Chapter 1380

Lena held the bag tightly in her hand. Beside her, Chris felt that something was wrong and turned to give her a concerned and serious look.

"I didn't..."

"I know." He held her hand firmly. "It's okay. I'll accompany you to explain it."

"There's no need for an explanation at all," Lena whispered. "Renee framed me! I haven't done anything wrong. Even if the police come, I won't admit to it!"

"Lenny..." Chris looked pained. "But it's best not to blow this out of proportion for now. It's Aunt Cordelia's birthday today, and Renee is Toph's fiancee. If we make a scene, you won't gain anything and will have to endure everyone's criticism—"

"I'm not afraid!"

"Lenny!" Chris held her shoulder. "I know you're not afraid of gossip, but aren't you afraid of being misunderstood by Lina?"

Lena froze, her gaze slowly dimming.

Chris smiled wryly. Saying anything else was futile. Only Lina had the power to influence Lena. As her boyfriend, Chris accepted his role humbly, willing to be second to Lina in Lena's life.

"I understand how you feel," Chris whispered in her ear. "But now isn't the time for a head-on confrontation. We need to act wisely."

Lena looked at him.

His eyes shone with trust and determination that were exclusively hers.

At that moment, Lena was certain that even if the whole world condemned her, he would always stand by her side.

She smiled at him. For the first time in her life, she had a pair of strong arms as her warm harbor.

The lost ring alarmed Cordelia, Zephyr, and the other elders. They all gathered around, asking about the situation.

Renee stayed with Toph, crying while continuously apologizing to Cordelia.

"Mom!" Toph was anxious. "I think we should call the police!"

"Nonsense!" Zephyr side-eyed him. "It's your mother's birthday, and you want to call the police during the birthday party? You really came up with something!" "But that ring..."

"Toph, it's only a ring," Zuko said calmly, exchanging a knowing look with his father. He then turned to Toph and spoke softly. "Let's not spoil mom's mood over something so minor." Toph paused briefly. Suddenly, Renee gently nudged his arm.

Cordelia captured the action perfectly.

"Mom! We should call the police," Toph blurted out, his hesitation from a moment ago gone. "It's a family heirloom, and you gave it to Renee as a gift. I don't want her to endure any injustice." "Will calling the police prevent her from suffering injustice?" Cordelia's voice was gentle, but each word was firm. "Renee, tell me, when was the last time you saw that ring?"

Renee bit her lip, answering softly, "It... It was in the restroom. I always take the ring off and put it in my bag before washing my hands."

"Then where's your bag?"

Tears welled up in Renee's eyes again as she shook her head.

"Mom, look!" Toph said, "Even her bag is gone!"

"Toph!" Zuko glared at him, giving him a look that told him to stop.

Cordelia smiled faintly. She had heard that the white pearl bag was a gift from Lina. Under normal circumstances, who would easily lose such a bag?