Chapter 1682


    Arya sat across from Maisie, her demeanor somewhat reserved, and Maisie''s mood carried its own


    complexity.


    Still, Maisie offered a smile and initiated the conversation. "Did you ask me out today for a specific


    reason?"


    Arya, who appeared hesitant on the phone—a contrast to her usually candid self—replied awkwardly,


    "Well, it''s not


    anything major. It''s just that my parents and I have been feeling guilty about my brother''s behavior. I''m


    wondering,


    do you still hold any grudges against us?"


    Maisie''s heart warmed, and she gently held Arya''s hand. "You don''t need to feel this way. How could I


    hold any


    grudges against you? Your brother and I weren''t a good match, and not being together might have


    been fated."


    "Now that Sophia has faced the consequences and my brother..." Arya sighed. "Graham isn''t doing


    well, either. It''s


    like divine retribution.


    "I''m sorry. I shouldn''t be talking about this." Arya smiled. "I''m here today to give you this!"


    She then presented a newly published set ofics to Maisie. epting it, Maisie flipped through the


    pages,


    recognizing the delicate and beautiful art style, along with a touching and heartwarming story. Clearly, it


    was the


    work of Arya and Toph.


    "We''ve been dealing with a lot at hometely, and my parents have stopped managing thepany.


    Graham is in


    his current state... so this burden has fallen on me." Arya chuckled. "After finishing thisic, I


    probably won''t be


    drawing for a while. That''s why this work holds special significance for me, and I wanted to give it to


    you."


    "Thank you," Maisie sincerely said. "You''re really talented in this. Once the situation with thepany


    settles down,


    you can pick it up again."


    Arya shrugged, saying, "We''ll see how it goes. Graham and I were overconfident in our lives. He


    thought he''d be


    sessful forever, and I believed I would draw forever. Who would''ve known that we''repletely off


    track now?


    I''vee to understand that destiny isn''t under our control—everything is predetermined."


    As Maisie gazed at Arya, her heart tightened. She remembered their first meeting when Arya''s smile


    was pure and


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    radiant, and her world had been as unsullied as distilled water.


    Now, Arya had matured, experiencing family troubles that added a touch of worldliness and


    determination to her.


    Yet, the way she had grown up—when she had been sheltered—felt a bit cruel.


    After a while, Maisie softly asked, "How is Graham now? Is he doing better?"


    Arya''s expression turnedplicated, and she hesitated for a long time before looking up at Maisie.


    "Well, I''m not sure how to put this, but this is one of the reasons I wanted to see you today."


    "What do you mean?"


    "When Ist visited Graham, he started saying incoherent things."


    Maisie paused. "What did he say? Could it be rted to me?"


    "Yes." Arya nodded and said softly, "He said something about you having a certain rtionship with


    Daniel. It


    escted, and he began throwing things. Two doctors had to restrain him. I even suspected he might


    have a


    delusional disorder."


    Maisie was a bit bewildered. She had only known Daniel for a few months. How could she have


    aroused such


    suspicions in Graham?