登入The preparations felt less like an upcoming family gathering and more like the calm before a war.By late afternoon, Lydia began helping Naomi study some of the basic etiquette required for facing the Chen family elders.“Don’t openly argue with them,” Lydia advised while opening a thin notebook ins
“The right pavilion has been prepared for you, Miss Chen. Meanwhile, Master Kai and Mrs. Lydia will stay in the left pavilion.”Naomi frowned deeply. “Why are they so far apart? Move my room closer.”“That’s not possible, Miss Chen. Master Kai and Mrs. Lydia already—”Ah.Naomi suddenly understood e
“You’re… serious?”The question slipped out the moment Naomi stepped into the dining room. She had just overheard Cale informing Lydia that for the next few days, they would be staying at the Chen family’s main residence.Naomi had thought Lydia would disagree.But instead…“Yes, I think you’re righ
Naomi drew in a small breath.The way Cale said it sounded painful. As though the memories he spoke about had truly happened right in front of him.As though he had personally witnessed all of it.“So I really was troublesome even as a child?” she asked softly, trying to ease the tightness growing i
The mansion felt far quieter than usual that night.The rain that had been falling since the afternoon had faded into nothing more than a soft drizzle outside the windows. Most of the lights throughout the house had already been turned off, leaving only dim pools of light along the main corridors an
A moment later, Brandon entered with an expression far more serious than usual.“Is this one of your new habits now?” Cale asked without lifting his gaze from the report he still hadn’t finished reviewing. “You should know I’m starting to hate it.”Brandon let out a quiet laugh.He then asked everyo
Elsewhere—far from gleaming high-rises, crowded boardrooms, or rows of cafés where people lingered over coffee and sugar-drenched cake—a dilapidated buildings stood hidden behind a line of long-abandoned storage warehouses. Its location lies well away from the city’s main roads. Traffic noise was ra
When they arrived home, the atmosphere felt far quieter than usual, not a cold silence, but one deliberately created so everyone inside could breathe a little easier. Lydia went straight to the kitchen without much comment. She rolled up her sleeves, unpacked the groceries, and began working with ef
“Of course.”Josh looked at his grandmother, hesitation written clearly on his face, but he could no longer hold it back. “If later… if it turns out Eli really is Chase’s child—what will happen?”The question hung inside the car, stopping every other thought in its tracks. Riana didn’t blink as she
Meanwhile, in SunCity.After the call ended, Althea remained staring at her darkened phone screen. Her chest felt tight, restless—not because of what Daven had said, but because of everything he hadn’t. It seemed the pressure was coming at him from all sides, especially with the news surrounding Cal







