FAZER LOGINIt looked like Michael already knew the situation of the children at the orphanage pretty well.
“Pass me the scissors,” Michael said.
Ellen set Nina down and handed them to him.
When she turned back, Nina was already playing happily with the other kids.
So Ellen stayed under the tree, helping Michael pass tools and chatting with him as they worked.
Just then, Michael’s parents walked in, carrying bags an
The very night Leon came back from Mikayla’s business banquet, he broke up with Lena.Of course, Lena refused to accept it.She had come from a small town, and the only reason she’d landed her current job was through her uncle’s connections. Now that opportunity was almost certainly gone.She didn’t even have permanent residency in the city. No stable job. Rent to pay.Forget climbing the social ladder—she could barely afford to stay in the city.She had already spent most of her savings on luxury brands. If she could keep clinging to Leon, at least she’d still have a place to live.But Leon had already made up his mind to dump her and try to reconcile with Ellen.What he didn’t expect was that the very next day after he went to see Ellen, Lena’s relatives showed up.Her aunts, uncles, cousins—an entire extended clan—arrived on slow trains and went straight to Leon&rsq
At that moment, Dexter approached slowly, leaning on his cane.Lena fell silent in his presence, but her eyes were full of ridicule—as if to say: what’s the difference between her behavior and mine?Ellen walked over and gently held his arm. “Dad.”“Mr. Wood,” Mr. Olsen and Mikayla greeted respectfully.Lena froze when she heard how Ellen addressed him.Leon froze as well.“What are these two shameless dogs doing here?” Dexter’s voice was calm but carried unmistakable authority.Being insulted, Lena no longer cared about decorum. “You call us shameless? What about you? Playing sugar daddy games and having her call you ‘Dad’? No one plays dirtier than you!”Mikayla scoffed. “The ‘old man’ you claim Ellen is relying on—are you talking about Uncle Dexter?”“You two not only lack character and morals—you’re blind
Back at work, Ellen’s assistant hurried in with news.“Miss Wood, I don’t know who did it, but someone actually hired a group of older women to stand outside and spread rumors that you’re seeing older men.”“Huh?” Ellen was surprised.“Just recent events. But don’t worry—Mr. Benitez already arranged for it to be handled before it escalated.”Ellen thought for a moment and guessed it was probably Leon or Lena.Last time, she and Ella had used a similar method to play with Leon.This time, they were smarter, trying to tarnish her reputation.Too bad for them, their claims were half-baked.She had merely linked arms with her father, yet they were trying to smear her.Little did they know, on Wood Group’s turf, their gossip wouldn’t stir even a ripple.That evening, Ellen had a business banquet.After work, she changed and arrived at the venue.
It looked like Michael already knew the situation of the children at the orphanage pretty well.“Pass me the scissors,” Michael said.Ellen set Nina down and handed them to him.When she turned back, Nina was already playing happily with the other kids.So Ellen stayed under the tree, helping Michael pass tools and chatting with him as they worked.Just then, Michael’s parents walked in, carrying bags and boxes.“These kids aren’t lacking food or clothes anymore,” Michael’s mother said, “but these supplementary study materials—they really need them. Especially the seniors in high school and middle school. They need more practice…”Michael’s father sighed. “Do you think bringing all this stuff really helps? All this good karma we’re building up—will it really help Michael settle down and get married?”
Back at home, Nina was still awake, waiting expectantly. “Mom, where’s Dad?”“Silly, that’s Uncle Michael. not your dad,” Ellen said, smiling. “Come on, I’ll tell you a story.”“But Dad… Uncle said he would come play with me today,” Nina pouted.The housekeeper said, “Yes, Mr. Benitez is very good to the little miss—he accompanies her to classes, plays with her, and is very patient.”Ellen pursed her lips, hugging Nina. “Story time! Who wants to listen?”“I do! I do!”…The next day, Ella and Ellen met again at the orphanage.A batch of ninth- and twelfth-grade students were preparing for school advancement, and they had to help advise on school choices.“Let’s give those who can learn more the chance to do so. Education is the key to changing their lives,” Ella said.“B
Ellen quickly scooped her daughter into her arms.Michael walked over. “Sorry. I heard my mom wasn’t feeling well. I was at the mall with Nina and didn’t have time to take her back to the Wood house, so I brought her here instead.”Ellen couldn’t really blame him. “It’s fine.”Michael turned to his mother. “Mom, are you feeling better?”“A little.”“You went to the orphanage to help move things again? Didn’t I tell you not to do manual work?” he scolded gently.“I wasn’t working—I was earning good karma for you! You refuse to date or get married, so your father and I have to build up merit for you! Otherwise, are we just supposed to watch you stay single forever? Look at Tiesto—he’s younger than you and already married! And your Uncle—he’s already a grandfather this year! And there’s al
“Go home first. Tonight, I want to stay with Mom,” Ella said to Tiesto.He looked at her longingly.Ella’s heart softened, but her expression remained unreadable.She steeled herself and went to her mother’s room.Halfway there, she called the housekeep
Ella ignored her and turned to leave.Christine grabbed her. “Thief! Don’t think you can walk away! How dare you claim Old Madam Sterling gave it to you? I saw you take that bracelet off her wrist!”Her tone was full of self-assured conviction, as if she had caught Ell
Tiesto hadn’t seen Ella.He learned she had been called away for work by a colleague. She should be at the office. He chose to stay at the hospital, unwilling to focus on work anyway.Ella arrived, meeting Kiana, who handed her some documents. “Let’s go.”&l
Seeing Ella’s flushed face, Grandma Sterling asked, “Ella, are you feeling warm? Would you like some watermelon?”“No, Grandma… I think I just ate a little too much,” Ella said, mortified.Grandma Sterling smiled. “I’ll have the butler se







