Chapter 1400


    During this time, the roles between Renee and Toph appeared to have switched. Previously, he used to


    send her many messages, while her responses were brief. Nowadays, her messages to him seemed


    futile, like tossing a stone into the vast ocean. He was reluctant to even reply.


    Renee started to worry, realizing that what she had said to him that day had gone too far.


    She had tried calling Toph, but he wouldn’t answer. She had sent him an email but received no


    response. She had even set aside her pride and visited the Hamertons’ residence in search of him,


    only to be greeted by their main butlers. Not even Cordelia and Zephyr were around.


    It appeared that Toph had severed all lines ofmunication,pletely disappearing from her world.


    Having exhausted all other options, Renee had no choice but to turn to Lina. She couldn’t afford to


    miss Toph, not in a world filled with cunning and capable heirs like Zuko. Someone as wealthy and


    unsuspecting as Toph was a rare find.


    “Zuko, I…” Tears streamed down Renee’s face. “I’ve tried every method I could, but I can’t find him. I’m


    really scared! I don’t want to lose Toph.”


    “Is that so?” Zuko looked at her coldly. “You don’t want to lose him, but what have you done to him?”


    Renee appeared nervous and fell silent.


    Zuko’s gaze was resentful. No one knew what Toph had been through during this time better than him.


    A young man who used to enjoy sweet soda even at banquets was now drinking alcohol at home,


    deliberately getting himself drunk, and then sleeping heavily with his head covered. There was no more


    laughter from him in the house, and no more noise from him ying games.


    Therge house had always been somewhat empty and felt even colder now.


    Wendy felt sorry for the youngest heir she had brought up. She had tried all sorts of ways to make


    delicious dishes every day. Back then, Toph would have eagerly sat at the dining table and indulged


    himself, but now…


    Zuko clenched his fists. He did not know what Renee had said to Toph and could not get it out of Toph,


    either. However, he knew that Toph would not act this way if he was not really hurting.


    Zuko looked at her coldly. “Toph is my brother, and I know him very well. He won’t use the silent


    treatment on someone for no reason. Even if someone is unkind to him, he’ll face it with a smile—


    unless he’s been seriously hurt!”


    “Zuko—”


    “Even though we usually fool around, he’s still my brother!” Zuko emphasized, his tone growing


    harsher.


    “Anyone who dares hurt him, I’ll definitely fight that person to the death as his older brother.”


    Renee took two steps back, her eyes filled with fear.


    Lina gently tugged on Zuko’s hand, feeling conflicted.


    Zuko patted the back of her hand and smiled reassuringly. He would give Renee another chance, but


    everything would be within his control.


    “Toph’s been drawingics recently. His work is serialized on a website. I can give you the link.” Zuko


    looked at Renee and said in a low tone, “As for what to do next, that’s up to you.”


    Renee nervously nodded, not daring to say more. However, there was an additional sense of resolute


    coldness in her gaze.


    –


    Under Renee’s instructions, Jacquelin closely watched Lena, disying an unusual level of diligence.


    She actively tried to connect with Lena, beginning withpliments about her fashion sense and


    stylish attire. She went on to praise Lena’s physique, suggesting that even ordinary clothing appeared


    as high- end fashion on her.


    Following thesepliments, Jacquelin initiated friendly gestures, such as sharing snacks, drinks, and


    engaging in office chitchat. She pulled Lena to her side, iming that she had the support of Mr. Chriss


    and Ms. Renee, unlike Jade who had nothing.


    Despite Jacquelin’s various tactics, none of them seemed to affect Lena. She remained consistently


    cautious in her words and actions, maintaining an aloof demeanor toward Jacquelin. While Lena was


    always polite, she responded with a degree of distance, and sometimes, she even offered retorts.


    “Jacquelin, are you trying to get me to join forces with you against Ms. Neale, ‘that old woman who has


    nothing’?”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates…


    Jade walked past them from behind coincidentally, and Lena raised her voice slightly.


    As Jacquelin turned around, she met Jade’s cryptic smirk.


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Jacquelin seethed with anger, plotting ways to redirect troublesome clients towards Lena. One such


    client was an elderly man who leered at Lena with an unsettling grin, his gaze lingering on her from


    head to toe.


    This man wasn’t interested in a house—rather, he desired Lena’spany. He insisted that Lena join


    him for dinner and drinks that evening. He dangled the promise of signing the contract right away if she


    agreed.


    Jacquelin observed the scene with folded arms, not anticipating Lena’s immediate and unexpected


    eptance. To her surprise, Lena arrived at work the next day in high spirits.


    Not long after, Jade received aint.


    The previous night, Lena had beaten the old man up! Even before she resorted to violence, she had


    recorded all the offensive things the old man had said to her, along with a video of him getting handsy


    with her.


    Jade smiled and told the troublemakers who hade to her, “If you think your boss was wronged, I


    suggest you report it to the police!”


    Realizing they were in the wrong, none of them dared to say more.


    On the other hand, Jacquelin used Lena of offending clients.


    Jade looked at her and snorted, “Jacquelin, we’re in the sales department, selling houses, not our


    favors and certainly not anything else!


    “If you think you can get a better deal, go find another ce to work! The Thompson Group is too small


    to amodate a pedestal for you!”


    Lena nced at Jade gratefully, the two of them bing good friends despite their age difference.


    Sometimes, when Lena was annoyed, she would vent to Jade, “How can there be someone as stupid


    and malicious as Jacquelin?”


    “People areplex. Who can be as clear-headed and intelligent as you?”


    Lena smiled shyly.


    “But why do they keep her in the sales department? Doesn’t the Thompson Group avoid having


    employees who do nothing?”


    “It’s due to her rtionship with Mr. Chriss,” Jade exined. “There’s another reason. She’s actually


    quite pretty. Keeping her as a decorative figure in the sales department can also attract clients, don’t


    you think?”


    Lena nodded lightly.


    Who exactly was Mr. Chriss? He seemed to have quite a bit of power.


    “Mr. Chriss has some connection with the four major families,” Jade told her. “Mrs. Bayer from the


    Bayers is a Tanner. The mother of Kelly Tanner is called Mandy Chriss. It’s said that back then, Mandy


    used her wedding gift to help the Tanners secure a ce among the four major families.”


    “Mr. Chriss is Mandy’s grandnephew.”


    “What?” Lena was surprised. “So, that means Mr. Chriss isn’t very old?”