LOGINAmelia ran a hand through Evelyn's hair, her tone gentle but steady. "You get to choose your own friends. That includes Nathan. You grew up together. There's nothing wrong with spending time with him. All I want is for you to be happy. If you enjoy being with him, don't hide it. Just be honest about it."Evelyn's eyes lit up, her smile returning. "Really? Then I can hang out with Nathan more often?""Of course." Amelia nodded. "Just be careful when you go out, and call me if anything comes up.""Okay!" Evelyn cheered. She threw her arms around Amelia and kissed her cheek. "You're the best!"Amelia held her, something in her chest softening.What happened between adults shouldn't fall on a child. Evelyn had the right to choose her own friends and grow up without carrying that weight.Amelia realized she had been holding on too tightly to the past and, without realizing it, had overlooked her daughter's feelings.That night, after helping Evelyn with her bath, Amelia watched the
Amelia had just gotten home. She slipped off her coat and hung it by the door when she heard quick footsteps running toward her."Mommy!" Evelyn threw herself into her arms, her face bright with excitement. "Look at the clothes I bought."She pulled back and spun in place, showing them off."They look great." Amelia smiled, running a hand through her soft hair. The simple touch eased most of the day's fatigue. "Did you go by yourself?"The smile on Evelyn's face dimmed. Her eyes shifted, and she lowered her head."I… I went with Nathan."She stared at the floor, the tip of her shoe tracing small circles.She had been wrestling with this for days. Amelia never mentioned Nathan, and the last time they ran into him at the park, Amelia had only nodded politely, her tone distant.Evelyn knew Nathan was Nicole's son. She had also heard bits and pieces about what had happened between Nicole and Christopher.She was afraid Amelia didn't like Nathan. She was worried that Amelia would b
The next day after school, Evelyn headed for the sporting goods store near campus, her steps light.The cash in her bag felt heavy, folded neatly, and tucked deep inside. It was the money her mother had given her for sports day. She had counted it three times the night before putting it away.She stopped at the entrance and reached into the outer pocket of her bag, only to find it empty.Her heart dropped.She hurriedly took off her backpack and searched every compartment. Her pencil case, notebooks, and storybooks were all still inside. Everything except the cash.Her face went pale as tears gathered in her eyes.She remembered clearly putting the money in the outer pocket of her backpack that morning. How could it be gone?Had she dropped it somewhere, or had someone taken it?She stood frozen at the door, stamping her foot in panic. Amelia's gentle smile flashed through her mind.Amelia had been so busy, and she had still given her the money to buy what she needed. And now,
"You're the one who didn't want Mommy in the first place," Evelyn continued. "She said she doesn't want to see you."Evelyn remembered everything.Back then, Nathan kept insisting Amelia was just a stepmother and that she treated him badly.Nathan's face flushed almost instantly, his eyes watering. He sniffed, his voice shaking. "I know I made the wrong choice. I just… I didn't understand back then."He hesitated, then reached for her hand. Evelyn stepped back and avoided him."Evie, you're my sister. We grew up together. We're even in the same grade now. Don't you believe me?"Evelyn lifted her chin, her round eyes steady. "I don't, and I'm not doing anything that would make Mommy upset."She bit her lip, then continued, "Even Daddy doesn't want you anymore. Why would Mommy? You were the one who kept saying she treated you badly because she's not your real mom. Now, you're back. It's not because you suddenly care. It's because things aren't going well for you, and now you reg
Amelia had just got home when her phone rang.It was Jasper.She answered, but before she could say anything, his voice came through. "Tell me straight. Did Christopher hand your work to someone else?"Amelia leaned back against the entryway wall, her fingers tracing the edge of her phone. Her tone stayed light. "Yeah. He had Samantha take over for now. Said it was to reduce my workload.""Reduce your workload? That's ridiculous! He's pushing you out," Jasper snapped. "Some things never change. He's never taken a project seriously."Amelia listened without interrupting. Strangely, she felt calm.She closed her eyes for a second. Christopher's voice lingered in her head, saying it was temporary. Then Samantha's steady confidence at the last technical meeting."Just let it go," Amelia said quietly. "At the end of the day, we're just partners with FutureDrive. I'm stationed there from our side. I'm not their employee. How they run the project is up to them. I don't need to take it
Even if Samantha was capable, there was no way she could absorb the full logic Amelia had built across layers of data in such a short time."Mr. Zephyr, I'm not questioning Samantha's ability."Amelia took a breath and steadied her voice. "The wing spar load calculations tie into the entire structural framework of the aircraft. A proper handover takes time. Give me three days. I'll organize the data logic, parameter sources, and key notes into a complete document, and walk her through everything so nothing breaks after the transition."Christopher watched her, fingers tapping lightly against the desk. He didn't answer right away."That won't be necessary. Samantha has already reviewed your shared materials. She learns quickly and has a solid grasp of the key points."Amelia felt something drop in her chest.At that moment, the pieces fell into place.This so-called adjustment to reduce her workload had likely never been about her health.When Samantha joined, HR had hinted sh
Christopher answered the call and said something. He stared at Amelia's back and said, "Okay, got it."After ending the call, he caught up with Amelia and lifted a hand to call for his driver, who was waiting outside.He turned to look at Amelia, the look on his face unchanging. "I'm sorry, I ha
Just then, Christopher walked out leisurely from his office.Nicole stood up. "Chris, let's have Mediterranean food for lunch."Christopher stuck his hands in his pockets, but his eyes warmed up at the sight of Nicole. "Sure."As Amelia and Jasper left, she overheard what Nicole said.Christophe
Amelia took a deep breath.Christopher was trying to back them into a corner.She pursed her lips and said, "Try contacting overseas manufacturers. As long as they can manufacture the product, we'll have a way out."Claire agreed. The cost of manufacturing overseas would be higher, but it was the
Clark's gaze burned with such contempt that Amelia couldn't ignore it.During her time at Zephyr Group, these people had never once respected her.Amelia didn't react to his attitude or his gaze.Seeing her act as if she didn't know him, Clark rolled his eyes. He didn't understand what she was tr







