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Cordelia was taken aback, looking at Linda silently. “Hmm… Is there something unusual about her?”
Linda pondered for a moment. “She’s not close to me, or rather, she’s overly polite toward me and Nic. Initially, I
thought she was just having difficulty adjusting to our home. But later, I saw her chatting and laughing with Toph
when she arrived home, and she instantly became guarded when she saw us… I don’t understand this child.”
Linda let out a sigh. Lately, she had been troubled by this situation. “Cordelia, I’ve tried many approaches, even
humbling myself to please her… But why does she keep her distance? She’s my daughter! I didn’t abandon her
willingly. If I could turn back time, I would trade my life for her safety…”
“Calm down, Linda.” Cordelia quickly grasped her hands.
Linda’s hands were cold and trembling. She couldn’t control her emotions when discussing this.
Cordelia recalled the moment Linda collapsed when Pammy went missing.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAs a mother, she understood the feeling of having one’s world shattered.
Although Linda had slowly recovered, the shadow remained. The child had drained her of all emotions. There was a
period when she lived like a zombie, even experiencing severe depression.
She was still on medication to this day.
Cordelia took a deep breath, gently held Linda’s shoulders, and spoke in a soothing voice. “Linda, have you
considered that something might be preventing her from getting closer to you?”
“What do you mean?” Linda lifted her eyes to look at Cordelia. “Has she told you something? Right… She’s close to
Toph, so she must have confided in you!”
“No.” Cordelia quickly clarified, “I just want you to understand that a parent’s love for their child is a long
separation. Blood is thicker than water… It’s impossible for her not to want to be close to you.”
Linda was stunned, looking at Cordelia blankly. After a moment of contemplation, she couldn’t grasp the meaning
behind Cordelia’s words and asked stiffly a while later, “Cordelia, are you implying something?”
Cordelia’s heart tightened. She moistened her dry lips. “It was Melvin who found your daughter. Do you know what
kind of person he is?”
Linda furrowed her brows, her gaze changing.
Cordelia continued. “Linda, if I had also found you a daughter, would you believe Melvin or me?”
In the study…
Zephyr guided his sons to analyze various data. They quickly discovered discrepancies as they delved into the
information.
“Look at these, dad.” Zuko showed his analysis, marking circles on the data. “These numbers don’t add up.
Additionally, I investigated the company that supplied the construction materials, and it has connections to Melvin.
In other words, he used the money for shady business. Not only did he cut corners, but he also pocketed some of
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmthe funds.
“And these numbers are clearly fabricated.” Zuko’s mental calculations were impressive. His mind was as
meticulous as a computer, able to discern even the smallest differences.
Toph stared at him, dumbfounded, and received the cold shoulder from his father.
Zephyr patted Zuko’s shoulders. “Hmm, you did a great job!”
Zuko smiled.
“I know you’ve been feeling down lately. I thought I didn’t want to burden you, but I never imagined… you’re so
quick with your analysis!” Zephyr paused, his tone growing stricter. “Unlike someone who’s always eating!”
Toph coughed hard, and the chestnut cake he had just stuffed into his mouth got stuck in his throat. It wouldn’t go
down!
Zephyr rolled his eyes and poured him a cup of tea.
After swallowing, Toph flashed them a bright smile.
There was cake stuck in his teeth.
Both of them looked at him expressionlessly.
“Hehe… I’ll leave the analysis to you two. I’ll take charge of wrecking his lair later!” Toph proclaimed.
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