LOGINPiper’s face fell, a mix of awkwardness and disappointment. They had given so much to Ella, but only this little to her?
Daniel added firmly, “Ella can buy a car because her husband is capable and wealthy. Our parents are getting old; giving you 20,000 is already generous. If you want a good life, why not earn it yourselves? Counting on Mom and Dad is no skill at all.”
When the three of them arrived, they had been confident they could get wh
At 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
After work that afternoon, Ella wasn’t surprised to see Tiesto waiting downstairs.Seeing her, he smiled. “Didn’t you say you were buying me a wedding ring?”“…You’re in quite a hurry.”She had originally planned to browse styles first, take a few days—yet here he was, ready today.Still, she had
Ella nearly choked on her own saliva.“Mr. Sterling, are you sure?” Ella asked.After a brief pause, Tiesto nodded. “I’m sure.”Ella picked up two of the items, the corners of her lips twitching.It was hard to imagine what Tiesto would look like in that bathrobe.She remembered the ones he used to
In the afternoon, Ella went to DT Investment to collect some materials.She ran into Mr. Rickson and casually asked his opinion about the secretary’s previous error. He avoided the question, giving no answer. Ella knew where she stood.As she left, Mr. Rickson answered a phone call accidentally on
The meeting was about to start at 9:30.Piper held a cup of coffee, smiling, aware that the time she had sent Ella and the current time were very different—and the venue was far from this hotel.By the time Ella realized the error, it would have been too late.Nathan said, “Shall we go in?”“Sure.”







