Ch. 1841..1850

Chapter 1841

Chapter 1841

Daniel gently held her. He didn't know how to comfort her, but he did what he could to stop her from trembling so much.

Maisie felt chills run down her spine and overwhelming sadness. "Did my mom really want to harm me? Why would she do this..." "Perhaps she never truly regarded you as her daughter," Daniel murmured. "You should never have any fantasies about her."

"Owen, Nicole, and I are all her children. Why would she "

"What if that's not the case?" Daniel blurted out.

Maisie was stunned, her mind going blank. "What do you mean by that?"

Daniel took a deep breath and said after a while, "I don't mean anything else. I'm just hoping you won't get too caught up in this rotten person and situation. Since the moment she sent you to my bed for money many years ago, you should have known she wasn't fit to be your mother!"

Maisie lowered her gaze, feeling a chilling void in her heart.

"I think she'll come looking for you again." Daniel looked at her. "Leaving aside whether those dirty things in the food were deliberate or not, this sudden change in attitude from her is highly suspicious.

"Maisie, how about... you move in with me?"

Maisie was taken aback, looking up at him.

Daniel chuckled, his gaze filled with indulgence. "I admit I'm a bit selfish. I always want to be with you, but this suggestion is also for your safety. Until Cindy achieves her goal, she will continue to harass you. If you live with me, I can protect you, and that's the best solution."

Maisie arrived at the Quimby residence with Daniel.

Everyone in the Quimbys knew she was the one Daniel cherished, so they all treated her with utmost respect. Although it was her second time there, compared to the rushed first visit, she could leisurely and thoroughly explore where he lived this time.

Daniel arranged her room in the best location on the estate and not far from his room Everything in the room was arranged according to her preferences. Next door was a spacious and bright study. He had brought all the books she needed, including many rare editions that were hard to find elsewhere.

Even a pen holder and a pair of slippers-he had carefully chosen everything to give her the best.

Maisie chuckled, grateful as she looked at him.

Her presence made Daniel more excited than anyone else. Even the housekeepers and service staff were discussing it. Daniel, who was usually aloof and unapproachable, seemed like a different person these days, smiling and amiable.

When he wasn't busy, he would hold Maisie's hand and stroll around the garden, showing her various rooms and corners. When she couldn't walk anymore, he'd carry her back.

"If you're with me like this every day, won't you skip going to the office?"

Maisie sat on the swing in the yard, Tigger was playing with a ball nearby, while Daniel was busy with carpentry work.

Yesterday, Maisie had casually mentioned wishing for a wooden bookstand on the table. So, today, Daniel had been busy all morning-sketching, selecting wood, and finally, personally using all his skills on these few small pieces of wood.

He watched Maisie smile and thought the company's work would never be finished. Being with his wife was more important.

"Oh, by the way, I saw a small building nearby that looked exquisite, with a unique architectural style, but it seemed like no one lived there. What's that for?" Maisie asked.

Daniel paused, then smiled. "You're talking about Serene Park, right?"

"Serene Park?"

Chapter 1842

Chapter 1842

"Let's go." Daniel set down what he was holding. "I'll show you!"

Maisie followed him to the small building.

It was a white cottage. Although uninhabited, it was clean both inside and out. Maids cleaned it daily, and they smiled and nodded respectfully upon seeing Daniel and Maisie. "This is where my aunt used to live," Daniel explained softly.

He opened the door, revealing a spacious living room connected to a long, bright corridor. Photos lined the corridor. The elegant, distinguished woman in those pictures was probably Daniel's aunt. However, as Maisie looked at the photos, she felt a sense of familiarity.

"She's..." She furrowed her brow, pondered for a moment, then suddenly had a flash of realization. "Professor Kinglake?!"

Daniel smiled gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Yes, Whitney Kinglake. She's my aunt."

Maisie was very surprised. "Why didn't you tell me earlier that you have such an impressive aunt?"

"Impressive?" Daniel raised an eyebrow, smiling. In his mother's family, impressive individuals were abundant, whether in politics or business.

Whitney wasn't particularly remarkable-she could be considered average.

"My father is considered an outsider," Daniel mentioned his background, a rare instance. "You know I have the same father but a different mother as Linda. My dad abandoned her and her mother and then found my mother, which led to the current status of the Quimbys. Except for the surname, everything else I have comes from my mother's family."

He took out an album from an antique chest. The album was weighty and pristine, documenting the splendor of several generations of the Kinglakes.

As Maisie flipped through, she found photos of senior Kinglakes, even pictures of them shaking hands with international dignitaries.

"All these are in the past." Daniel smiled. "The Kinglakes today can't compare, but they're still considered an influential family in Cumulus City.

"Keep flipping. My mom and aunt's photos are toward the back."

Maisie followed his instructions and flipped through, amazed by the youthful beauty of Daniel's mother. His aunt was also beautiful, with a touch of more scholarly grace than Daniel's mother. "How did you know my aunt?" Daniel asked her with a smile. "She's been retired for so many years."

"Even retired, she was a renowned professor at the Cumulus City Theatre Academy, a famous dramatist! Many theater books mention her. Besides, I know that many top actors were her students." "Do you like her plays?"

"Yes!" Maisie nodded. "I only read works by two playwrights. One is Professor Kinglake, and the other is Delilah..."

At this point, Maisie smiled self-mockingly. It turned out that an author's style and character were sometimes not aligned.

Maisie's eyes lit up. "Daniel, this is..."

She turned to a photo. Whitney was by the lake, accompanied by a woman with delicate features, dressed in plaid, a long white long white skirt, and a khaki shawl. She looked poised with a gentle yet subtly charming aura.

Below the photo was a line of text: [With Anya, at Cumulus Lake].

"Anya?" Maisie looked at Daniel. "Who's this? Another relative of yours?"

Chapter 1843

Chapter 1843

"She?" Daniel paused and chuckled. "She's not a relative of mine. She's my aunt's student."

"Anya..." Maisie pronounced her name, tracing the photo with her fingertips and couldn't help but smile. "She's really beautiful."

Daniel hurriedly said, "You're beautiful too."

Maisie pushed him lightly, looking coy. "She's your aunt's student, so is she also a playwright?"

"Yes," Daniel explained, "I know very little about her, but I've heard she was a talented writer and playwright. However, she kept a low profile, maintained a mysterious persona to the outside world, and hadn't produced many works. Hence, very few people know this name."

"Does she still write books?" Maisie asked curiously.

Daniel shook his head and replied, "She was troubled by love later on and seemed quite distressed over a man. My aunt was disappointed in her and never contacted her again."

"And then?"

"And then... she passed away." Daniel drew Maisie close, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "I don't know about her, actually. You can ask my aunt in person if you want to know more." Maisie paused before she lowered her gaze.

Daniel smiled and caressed her face. "Speaking of which, I want to find a suitable opportunity to introduce you to my aunt. Okay?"

Maisie looked a bit fearful, her gaze hesitant.

Daniel held her shoulders, his tone gentle, each word flowing like a gentle stream. "To me, Aunt Whitney is like my mom, even closer than my mom. You know, my parents passed away early, and it was my aunt and uncle who helped me through tough times.

"When I just took over this position, many in the Quimby Group were watching me closely. It was my aunt and uncle who came out to stabilize the situation. The people from my maternal grandfather's family helped me secure my position...

"I want to marry you. I can ignore what the Quimbys think, but I must bring you before my aunt and uncle, to my maternal grandfather's family. I want their blessings."

Maisie nodded, understanding. Daniel's aunt would be her future mother-in-law.

She asked softly, "Is Aunt Whitney... easy to get along with?"

"What if she isn't?"

Maisie bit her lip gently. "I'll try hard to make her like me."

Daniel countered, "In a big family like this, the relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law might be more tense. Can you handle it?"

Maisie almost didn't hesitate, firmly uttering, "Yes."

This surprised Daniel a bit.

"You just mentioned that your aunt and uncle helped you through the toughest times? I believe Aunt Whitney loves you, and I... I love you too. So, she will definitely feel my sincerity toward you." "And then?"

"And then..." Maisie paused. "She will accept me! As time passes, people's true intentions will be revealed."

She spoke earnestly, unaware of the amusement in Daniel's eyes.

"Rest assured." Daniel spoke gently. "My aunt and uncle are easy-going people. They're understanding. As you rightly said, they love me. So, they'll be happy to see one more person loving me." Maisie chuckled. Snuggled against his chest, she held the photo album and continued to flip through. However, her gaze lingered on Anya's face, an unusual feeling fleeting in her heart in that instant.

Jodie sneaked through a side path and arrived at the back door of the Newhouse mansion, opening the door quietly and cautiously.

Chapter 1844

Chapter 1844

This was the backyard of the Newhouses, usually not frequented by people, and the road outside was private, with no vehicles passing through.

Cindy had been waiting there for a long time. When she saw Jodie, she waved excitedly.

However, as soon as she noticed Jodie's disdainful expression, her smile froze. Eventually, she could only pull a dry smile.

"Jojo..."

"What's wrong with you?" Jodie didn't mince words as she started to scold her. "How did you find this place? The servants just mentioned someone outside the backyard and were about to call security... Fortunately, I intercepted them!"

"Jojo, I—"

"Is it about money again?" Jodie crossed her arms, looking imposing, and smirked. "It seems you've got nothing else to discuss with me. Speak up. How much this time? For your useless son again, right? That waste of space, why hasn't he perished in rehab yet?!"

"You!" Cindy widened her eyes, her expression abruptly changing. "How could you say that about your brother?!"

"Let him die! I don't have a brother like that!" Jodie's face twisted in anger as she took out a bank card from her pocket and flung it at Cindy. "There's 30,000 dollars in there. If you dare bother me again... I'll have the security throw you out!"

Cindy stood stunned in place, only slowly crouching to pick up the bank card. Her soul seemed detached from her body as she stared blankly at her daughter. In a daze, she remembered Maisie.

She recalled how Maisie never complained, no matter how she treated her. Even when she manipulated things to get Maisie into Daniel's bed for money, Maisie never said a word of refusal. Maisie endured and complied with her requests as her mother.

What about this biological daughter of hers?

Disappointment flooded Cindy's heart.

She wasn't there to ask for money. Lately, her health had been deteriorating. Diabetes had worn her out completely. Thinking of her children, who also suffered from the same illness, she went to the rehab center to see Owen and then headed there to check on Jodie.

However, it was an insult to herself.

She regretted agreeing to Delilah's condition back then, allowing Jodie to be raised in the Newhouses. Even if she was destitute, she should have kept her own children with her!

She forced a smile, trying to please her. "Jojo, are you not in a good mood today?"

"Nonsense!" Jodie looked at her in disdain, then asked after a pause, "How's that matter going?"

"What?"

"Are you senile?" Jodie scolded her again, "Last time, you said you would help me get rid of Maisie!"

"Oh, that..." Cindy cautiously explained, "Jojo, I really couldn't find an opportunity. That girl... Now that she has Daniel backing her, she doesn't even bother with me! I asked her to come over for a meal at home, but she didn't respond."

"So, you couldn't get it done, right?" Jodie glared at her.

Before coming to the backyard, Jodie had overheard Wilfred chatting at the study door with a friend. He had been praising Maisie while discussing an investment proposal with SL Publishing. She had nowhere to vent her frustration, and Cindy happened to walk into the line of fire.

"You really couldn't find an opportunity?" Jodie sneered, gritting her teeth. "If you genuinely wanted to get rid of someone, how could you not find an opportunity? I think you're just brushing me off!"

Chapter 1845

Chapter 1845

"Absolutely not!" Cindy protested vehemently. "Listen, let me explain. I really couldn't find an opportunity. Daniel-"

"Don't use Daniel as an excuse!" Jodie lost her composure. "No matter how capable he is, can he stay by that despicable girl's side 24/7? Can he manipulate everything? It's just that you don't want to find an opportunity!"

Jodie gave her a sidelong glance and taunted sarcastically, "Could it be that my biological mother, who raised someone else's child, has developed feelings for that child?" "What are you saying?!" Cindy was distressed and angry.

How had she treated Jodie all these years? Even if she found it nearly impossible to see her daughter, she still willingly overcame obstacles just to catch a glimpse of her.

Even when faced with Jodie's coldness, Cindy continued to meet her with a smiling face. If Jodie was unhappy, Cindy would be willing to give her everything she had.

That was because she was her daughter, born from her own body-her flesh and blood! It wasn't that she didn't cherish her child or favored boys over girls. She just treated Maisie differently.

Yet, now Jodie was saying... she had feelings for Maisie?

Cindy couldn't help feeling sad and disappointed.

"Okay..." After a while, she took a deep breath and nodded. "Don't worry, I'll try to find another opportunity. But Jojo, you also need to understand that opportunities aren't easy to come by. Maisie now has Daniel supporting her. She's much more resilient and doesn't even regard me as her mother!

"Jojo, if you want to get rid of her, I'll have to find another way—"

"Who are you planning to get rid of?" Suddenly, a sharp voice interrupted from behind.

Jodie and Cindy froze, turning around to face Delilah's icy gaze.

"Mom..." Jodie instinctively put on a pleasing smile, intending to step forward and link arms with Delilah, but she was harshly pushed away.

Cindy felt bad for Jodie but dared not speak, only helplessly watching her daughter being treated this way.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Jodie looked at Delilah nervously. "I..."

"I'm asking you a question." Delilah enunciated each word. "Who are you planning to get rid of? Answer me!"

Jodie shivered in fear. "It's... it's Maisie..."

"I knew I didn't mishear." Delilah chuckled coldly. "You want to get rid of her? Did you ask me about it?"

The air around them turned icy and silent. Cindy couldn't even reach out to steady Jodie through the courtyard gate.

"I warn you." Delilah gritted her teeth, glaring at Jodie. "Don't touch Maisie! I have a use for that girl!"

"Mom-"

"Shut up!" Delilah barked. "Don't ruin my plans with your foolishness!"

Jodie dared not speak again, huddling her shoulders and standing quietly to the side.

Delilah spared her another glance, then left haughtily.

Cindy gently held Jodie's hand. She saw her daughter's reddened eyes and witnessed how Delilah treated her.

Although Jodie had enjoyed luxury for these past 20-odd years, her days were surely not easy...

Chapter 1846

Chapter 1846

Cindy increasingly regretted her actions, staying silent for a while before saying shakily, "Jojo, come back home with me. I'll definitely-"

"You'll definitely what?!" Jodie's grievance erupted like a flood. "I've grown accustomed to living like this. Do you want me to return to that slum with you? Let me tell you once more. My dad is the CEO of the Newhouse Group, my mom is a renowned author, and I am the future CEO of Newhouse Group! I have no connection with you or that slum! None!"

"Jojo!"

Jodie jerked her hand away and ran off without looking back.

Cindy's vision blurred due to tears streaming down her face, and her heart was gripped with pain.

"It's all because of Delilah..." she muttered to herself, grinding her teeth. "It's all because of her! She's the reason our family has become what it is today! "Jojo, don't worry. I'll help you remove all obstacles, including this malicious woman!"

Cindy wiped her tears, the discomfort from her diabetes starting to creep up. She endured the pain, but her gaze became more resolute than ever.

Years ago, when Delilah had made a deal with her, she had kept evidence...

It was Delilah who had instructed her husband to kill Anya, resulting in her husband's death.

It was Delilah who had promised to raise her daughter, allowing her to live like a princess.

It was Delilah who had handed Maisie over to her, saying, "As long as she doesn't die, raise her however you want..."

Cindy laughed through her tears, a peal of laughter tinged with self-mockery and a resolve to face the inevitable together.

Had she committed too many sins against Maisie, leading to her daughter bearing the brunt of it?

Regardless, she wouldn't allow anyone to bully her daughter!

Chris and Lena arrived at the Quimby residence carrying a trunk full of dog food.

Tigger recognized Lena and barked joyously, rushing out from the yard and wagging its tail while jumping up on her. Lena rubbed its fluffy neck, laughing heartily. "Seems like it's grown!"

"Not that much. It's just over two months." Maisie smiled. "It had a food poisoning scare recently and frightened me!"

Chris gestured, and Lena immediately took Maisie away.

Daniel understood, glancing at him and asking softly, "What did you find out?"

"The piece of rib you asked me to test last time did contain chemical substances," Chris said in a low voice. "I consulted with a former military doctor. This kind of poison is pretty common in some underground markets. The main ingredient is lead, and the cost isn't high, so it has decent sales!"

"If a person consumes it once, what happens?"

"Let alone once, even multiple times wouldn't cause any issues. When this kind of poison is hidden in food, it isn't easily detectable. Moreover, the dosage is small, and the human body's metabolism eliminates part of the poison. There won't be immediate issues.

"But a dog's body is smaller, especially Tigger at just over two months old, so this dosage is significant for it. As such, it resulted in immediate reactions."

"So, when it accumulates to a certain amount, a person will have these reactions too?"

"Yes, lead poisoning is severe. People can become mentally disabled and even face fatal consequences!"

Daniel confirmed his suspicions. "Cindy truly has ulterior motives. Even if Maisie isn't her biological daughter, she has been calling her mom for over 20 years. Yet, she really can bring herself to do something like this!"

"Uncle Daniel..." Chris looked at him. "Should we... take action preemptively?"

Daniel pondered for a moment. "No need. Let's just observe for now. Maisie is safe with me here, and perhaps the Newhouses hold even bigger secrets!"

Chapter 1847

Chapter 1847

When Toph arrived at the Newhouse residence, the butler personally welcomed him and respectfully led him to Harvey's art studio.

Harvey had been sitting there all morning, engrossed in painting. Toph approached slowly, unable to help smiling when he observed Harvey's intense focus.

Harvey keenly sensed someone behind him and abruptly looked up.

"Don't get me wrong. I didn't mean to sneak up on you!" Toph hurriedly waved his hands as if confessing to a mistake. "I... I brought the final draft of the illustrated novel to see if there's anything you think needs to be revised."

Harvey glanced at it briefly and grunted after a while, "Your work is already good enough. No need for changes."

"Really?" Toph scratched his head. "But Aunt Maisie saw these last time and knew which ones you drew... Actually, I'm not as good as you in terms of artistic sensibility."

"You're being modest!" Harvey lightly scoffed, turning away to focus on his artwork. He still looked pale and thin, but there was a natural carefreeness on his sharply defined face.

He seemed indifferent to everything like he was detached from life and death. His deep brown eyes always reflected an inexplicable sense of sorrow.

"Ah." Toph sat on the windowsill facing him. "Once this draft is submitted, my job will be done. Our collaboration has been pleasant!"

Harvey ignored him.

"Uh... I wonder if you're interested in continuing to collaborate with me?"

"Hmm?"

"I mean, you probably know I have a studio, right? My wife and I run it!" Toph grinned. "My studio is somewhat renowned, and my wife is even more talented. She's sold quite a few IPs! If you're willing, come to our studio, and let's draw together. What do you say?"

"Hmm."

"We've known each other for a while, from the comic exhibition to our discussions later. Heh, I feel like we share a lot of similar ideas. There shouldn't be any problem drawing together in the future, right?"

"Hmm..."

"Oh, don't keep saying 'hmm'! Say something!"

Harvey furrowed his brow and looked up, somewhat annoyed yet resigned.

Toph didn't mind his lack of response and continued chatting with a smile.

Harvey scrunched up his face. "Do you have nothing better to do?

"If you're really that free, why don't we have a drawing competition?"

Toph's eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously.

They would paint each other's faces.

Toph sat by the window while Harvey sat on a stool. Both focused intently as they drew each other.

The studio was quiet. Only the sound of brushes rustling could be heard.

Clearly, Harvey was faster. Just as Toph had outlined the face, Harvey had already started detailing.

A beam of light streamed in, casting a golden glow on Toph as his back was against the window. His handsome face looked even more striking in the sunlight. He truly seemed like a little sun, radiating warmth wherever he went. The enthusiasm in his demeanor seemed capable of dispelling all unhappiness.

Harvey suddenly stopped painting, gazing at him in a daze. For some reason, his heart seemed to skip a beat as he saw his smile.

"Hey, why did you stop painting?" Toph grinned. "I'll surpass you if you don't work hard!"

Harvey snapped back to reality and threw his brush away with a blush.

"Eh?" Toph was taken aback. "You..."

"Boring!" Harvey huffed and got up to leave.

Toph was puzzled. Harvey was too unpredictable. He had just made a joke earlier! He wanted to peek at Harvey's sketchbook but found a thick pile of drafts under the easel. Curiosity compelled him to pick them up, and he couldn't stop once he started going through them.

Chapter 1848

Chapter 1848

Even though each one was a draft, Harvey's sketches were as refined as finished works from some comic studios. The style of these drawings was exquisite and captivating, even without colors. Relying on the market sense he had honed over the years, Toph was convinced that this work was bound to be a hit.

"Is this your comic?" he couldn't help but ask. "It's really good! Not only are the visuals beautiful, but the storyline is also great!

"Harvey, why did you never mention that you create comics yourself?"

"You..." Harvey turned his head slightly, his expression complex. "Why are you looking at this?"

"I stumbled upon it, just under this easel... Why? Is it not meant to be seen?"

Harvey waved his hand dismissively and turned his face away. After a while, he muttered, "You... You like it?"

"It's great! If this sells, it'll surely be a hit!"

"But the main characters are two guys..." Harvey's voice trailed off. "People might dislike that, right?"

Toph chuckled, putting his hand on Harvey's shoulder. "Bro, who says the main characters have to be a guy and a girl?"

Harvey was somewhat surprised, staring blankly at him.

"This unique bond is also worthy of respect," Toph said seriously. "As long as one faces it, admits it, and adheres to morality, I don't see any problem."

"You..."

"Oh, you mustn't know." Toph lowered his voice. "When my dad was young, he..."

"What about him?"

Toph paused, unsure whether to tell him about Zephyr's episode with King Alexander. After all, it was his father's private matter, and flaunting it seemed inappropriate.

"Hehe, nothing!" He scratched his head. "Anyway, I don't think it's wrong! The world should embrace differences. You can disagree but should respect!"

Harvey stared at him for a long time, the icy touch in his eyes seemingly melting quietly. He smiled and walked to the window. The sunlight felt warm on his face, and it felt nice to be treated so gently. After a while, he muttered, "Thank you."

"What?"

Harvey didn't repeat it.

In fact, from the moment they met at the comic exhibition years ago, Harvey knew he was different from others. He just hadn't expected to earn Toph's respect for this difference. "Toph."

"Yeah?"

"Maisie means a lot to you guys, right?"

"She's my aunt! What do you think?"

Harvey nodded. The chill in his gaze faded and was replaced by determination. "Then... I will protect her well!"

He would protect anyone important to Toph. Besides, Harvey knew that Maisie should have been his sister!

"Hey, take care of yourself first!" Toph patted his shoulder. "By the way, why don't you tell your parents about all this with Jodie?"

Harvey tensed, whispering after a while, "I've told them..."

"What?"

Harvey chuckled bitterly. "I told them. But do you believe it? Not one of them acknowledged me!"

Chapter 1849

Chapter 1849

Despair reflected in Harvey's eyes.

Toph looked at him, feeling an inexplicable sense of sadness. Harvey was thin as if a gust of wind could blow him away. His complexion was ghostly pale, a shade of abnormal pallor. Fate seemed relentless. It was like living in hell for being born into this family.

"I don't know why they treat me like this," Harvey self-mockingly smiled. "Since I was little, my father never liked me. In my memory, he never smiled at me or even held me.

"And my mother, she's sometimes good to me, sometimes bad. Sometimes she indulges me, other times she hits me even harder than my sister...

"And I found out about Jodie's secret ten years ago."

"Her secret?" Toph's heart lurched. He had overheard Chris and Lena murmuring that Jodie had no blood relation to Delilah.

"Yes." Harvey picked up a pen, casually sketching on paper. A few lines twisted into distorted figures like a scene from a chilling horror film.

Toph could tell that the twisted face was Jodie, holding a syringe, ready to inject herself.

"This is wrong," Toph said in a low voice. "The one she injects is you!"

"It's herself." Harvey's words dropped like stones into a calm lake.

Toph paused, hearing him continue. "That's the secret I discovered... I found out she often injected herself with something. I was young then, naive about drugs. I thought she was doing something wrong and rushed to tell my mother. But my mother slapped me, shut me up, and forbade me from saying anything.

"Especially..." Harvey looked up with a wry smile. "I can't let my father know."

Toph was bewildered. "Why?"

"Because Jodie has Type I diabetes. No one in our family has this illness except her. In Maisie's family, everyone else except for her has this disease!" Toph clenched his fists.

So that was what Chris and Lena had been murmuring about... Jodie wasn't a Newhouse. The true Newhouses heiress was probably Maisie!

"She treats you like that and claims you're mentally ill openly because you discovered this secret?"

"Yeah." Harvey continued sketching. "Who would believe a lunatic's words? But what's most despairing in this family isn't her. It's my parents.

"I think... Would my parents love me more if I could bring Maisie back?"

Toph didn't say anything, just sympathetically patted his back.

Harvey oversimplified things. Dealing with Wilfred or Delilah wasn't as easy as he thought, and the secrets in this family were far more numerous than he had seen.

"I think you shouldn't dwell on this." Toph looked at him. "You need to protect yourself and get out of this place!"

"Get away?"

"Yeah. What's here to hold onto? If you're stuck, I'll find a way!"

A glimmer of hope flashed in Harvey's eyes, but that light dissipated quickly. What remained in his eyes was the same darkness as before.

Chapter 1850

Chapter 1850

Harvey smiled gratefully at Toph but didn't dare hope for more. Toph now had a significant other by his side, and they were perfectly matched in status and admired by all. He was happy... So, why drag him into this mess?

Seeing him happy was enough.

"Thank you," he finally said after a long pause.

Toph chuckled casually, still wondering why this usually headstrong guy was being so polite today.

"We're bros, no need for thanks! I'm still waiting for you to join my studio so we can create greatness together!"

As he finished speaking, the door to the studio creaked, and high heels could be heard clacking against the floor.

Harvey tightened his grip on the pen. His eyes were alert, like a wary rabbit in the jungle, as he looked in the direction of the door.

"Oh, it's you, Mr. Hamerton!" Delilah smiled as she walked in, respectfully addressing Toph. "Why not join us in the living room? I'll have the chef prepare lunch. If you don't mind, please have lunch before you leave!"

Although Toph was usually carefree, his mind was sharp in crucial moments.

He glanced at Harvey, then at Delilah's fake smile, and calmly replied, "I should be heading back. I've left the drafts with Harvey. He needs some quiet days to help me review them. I hope you won't let anyone disturb him, Mrs. Newhouse.

"My cousin-in-law, Lena, is still training the female bodyguards in your house, right?" Toph smiled. "During this time, I'll ask her to keep an eye too. If anyone unauthorized enters Harvey's room or studio, delaying our work on this draft, I'll make sure that person faces the consequences!"

Delilah was taken aback.

Toph wasn't that old, but his words were firm. She had heard that he was the best-protected son of the Hamertons. Unlike Zuko, who was calm and authoritative, he lacked experience and had a simple life.... Today, Delilah realized what "like father, like son" truly meant. None of the Hamerton sons was easy to deal with.

She smiled, casting a loving gaze toward Harvey.

"Don't worry, Mr. Hamerton. No one in the house dares to disturb Harvey. He doesn't socialize much and enjoys writing and drawing in his room, and we all let him be."

"Is that so?" Toph sneered. "Mrs. Newhouse, you're Harvey's mother. You should show more concern for him. He's been sick for so long, but you haven't investigated his illness?"

"His dad and I are usually busy..."

"Even if you're busy, you can't neglect your child." Toph's gaze was sharp. "That's what my parents say!"

"Yes." Delilah forced a smile. "Mr. and Mrs. Hamerton are right. That's why they've educated you so well.

"Oh, right, Harvey." She turned to Harvey. "We're hosting a dinner at our place this weekend to celebrate your father's collaboration with SL Publishing. Tidy yourself up and join us for the occasion!" After Delilah left, Harvey watched her retreating figure with a bitter smile.

"Time for another show," he murmured. "Whenever it comes to this, our family has to put on a show of harmony in front of outsiders... It's so disgusting!"

Toph had no words, only patting his shoulder with a sigh.

"It'll end," he said softly. "Harvey, trust me. After enduring so much pain, God will give you an answer."

"I'm afraid there's no time to wait for God," Harvey sneered, looking at Toph. "For how Jodie has treated me these ten years, I'll make her pay back with interest!"