로그인At the announcement, everyone turned toward the entrance.Old Master Willow stepped in, energetic as ever, dressed in a well-tailored suit that made him look sharp and dignified.Guests hurried to greet him.Smiling, Old Master Willow walked in.Christine immediately ran over. “Grandpa Willow!”“Christine, you’re here?” he said with a smile.“Yes, Grandpa Willow. Since today is such an important occasion, why don’t I stay by your side?”“Then let me introduce Ella to you. Ella, come here,” he called.Ella walked over from the side.Heads turned instinctively toward her.She wore a beautifully tailored evening gown, elegant and poised. Her lively smile radiated warmth and charm, making it difficult for anyone to look away.“Grandpa Willow!” she greeted him.Christine hadn’t expected Ella to already be acquainted with Old Master Willow.O
Piper froze.Every time she’d seen Caleb, he was dressed in sporty casual clothes. She had never seen him in a suit or dress shirt. She’d assumed he…She looked up at the building.It was the headquarters of Calyx Robotics—currently one of the hottest companies in the tech market.Caleb worked here?“Caleb, let’s go,” Ella said, stepping forward to follow him upstairs with the assistant.Piper’s eyes widened.Nora stared blankly at Caleb’s retreating figure.As they walked, Caleb asked quietly, “They didn’t give you a hard time, did they?”“No. They were practically falling over themselves to flatter me,” Ella said. “Ever since they found out about Mom and Dad’s status, Piper has been trying every trick to get close to us. I’m just afraid the harder she tries, the more it will hurt Mom and Dad.”“It won’t,” C
Lucas opened the card and wrote smoothly inside:“Wishing you many happy and healthy years ahead.”His handwriting was bold and confident, each letter steady and elegant.Old Master Willow nodded approvingly.“Still as strong as ever.”Then he turned to Ella.“Would you like to sign it too?”“A little,” she said modestly.“Go ahead,” Lucas said, pleasantly surprised. He hadn’t even known she had such neat handwriting.Ella took the pen and wrote beneath his message:“With warmest wishes and many joyful years to come.”Her handwriting didn’t carry Lucas’s powerful strength, but it had a graceful elegance—refined and delicate.Lora couldn’t help praising her.“When did you learn to write like that? We had no idea.”“I just write casually
Outside the Willow residence—Ella sat in the car, adjusting her scarf.She caught sight of the red marks on her neck in the mirror and flushed. “Why are there so many?”Tiesto replied calmly, “There weren’t this many just now.”“You are never allowed to do that again!”“I was wrong,” he said, softening when he sensed her genuine annoyance.Ella could practically hear his unspoken words: ‘I was wrong. I’ll still do it next time.’Luckily, the weather had already turned cool. Wearing a scarf wouldn’t seem strange.After fixing it, they stepped out of the car—only to hear raised voices coming from inside.They caught Piper’s words:“I was just about to leave when I realized my diamond necklace was missing. I had just spoken to this kitchen helper—and suddenly the necklace was in her hands! You’d
The online storm died down quickly.Ella wasn’t affected at all.As for Lucas, it was even less likely to impact him.He was exactly the kind of talent the university valued highly. Even the university president treated him with great respect. How could a few online rumors shake his standing?Still, Ella gave her father a call.Lucas laughed heartily. “It’s nothing. After the president heard about it, he personally had someone verify and claim the account that posted your scores.”“So it was the president’s decision?”“Of course. Your grades are real, your status is real. Why wouldn’t we confirm it?” he said with a chuckle. “Oh, by the way—your Aunt Willow’s father is celebrating his birthday in a couple of days. You and Tiesto are invited.”The “Aunt Willow” Lucas mentioned was none other than the mayor Ella had met before—May
“Next, we invite Elaris University’s outstanding graduate student from the School of Media, Ella Hart, to deliver a speech.”The host’s voice echoed through the hall.Ella turned to Lucas. “Dad, it’s my turn.”“Go ahead,” he encouraged. “You’ll do great.”Tiesto gently patted her shoulder.Taking a deep breath, Ella walked onto the stage.Facing hundreds of expectant eyes, she delivered her speech fluently and confidently.Thunderous applause erupted.When she stepped down, Tiesto reached out and caught her hand, pride shining in his eyes.“Our daughter is getting more and more impressive,” Lora said with a soft smile.From the back row, Piper heard the murmurs around her.“Like father, like daughter.”“Ella is truly exceptional.”Her fists clenched tightly.At some point, the eldest Miller sister had come to stand beside her.She, too, had wanted to hear Professo
Bertha quickly explained, “It’s for Piper. We’re just helping her carry it.”The restaurant manager smiled and walked past them—straight toward Ella. “No, this is for Ms. Ella Hart. The kitchen specially set aside some Australian abalone and king crab for you. Please take it.”Bertha and Gigi froze
That evening, Ella returned to her parents’ residential complex in the Eve Gardens neighborhood.Just as she arrived, her father, Lucas, was getting off work. His face softened when he saw her. “Why did you buy so many things?”“I got a bonus from work. Thought I’d bring something home to share.”H
That evening at dinner, Ella mentioned to her parents that her brother had bought her a car.She’d hoped they would persuade him not to.She’d tried all day. He wouldn’t budge.Instead, Lucas clapped Daniel on the shoulder.“Taking care of your sister—that’s what a good brother does. You earned the
Ella rode fast. She worried the location might be hard to spot.But the moment she arrived, she saw him.Over six feet tall, sharp features, effortlessly noticeable anywhere.She rode straight toward him.Sure enough, the two men were at it again—voices raised, gestures flying.She jumped off her e







