Joyce heard Juanita calling her and quickly walked towards them. Luther followed behind her, with Karl and Chris also joining. A group of people gathered around a casual table, chatting away.


    Juanita said, “As hosts, you came out sote, it’s really too much. You’re neglecting us.” Everyone knew the real reason. They were an old couple, not newlyweds; was it really necessary?


    Joyceughed, “Sorry, it won’t happen again.” She red at Luther and lied, “Someone had a video conference all morning. A workaholic who can’t change.”


    Luther looked back at Joyce speechlessly. Some things didn’t need an exnation; those who understood would understand. Exining would only make things worse.


    “Speaking of workaholics, no one used to beat my Karl,” Juanita teased. “But now he’s changed; he’s almost a doting father.”


    Karl chuckled and shook his head. How did he not know that Juanita was so jealous? Her words were full of sourness.


    “Joyce, Mr. Warner, I couldn’t helpst time, but I’m d you managed…”


    Before Karl could finish, Joyce interrupted, “You’re just born to worry. Rx a bit; everything will work out in the end. Understand? The world keeps turning.”


    Karlughed, “Yes, ma’am, you’re right.”


    Joyce rolled her eyes at him, “With that attitude, I won’t tell you anything in the future.”Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Karl was speechless.


    Luther took a sip of his tea. Chris then said, “I heard about your situation too. It’s really not fair; no one asked me for help. I have military power at my disposal. Just say the word and I could send troops to Rohomes in no time.”


    “Come on, Chris,” Kane suddenly appeared from nowhere. “If they could contact you, they could contact anyone. Military power? Who doesn’t have it? Doesn’t my sister’s family have it? If war could solve the problem, it wouldn’t be a problem! Besides, we have to thank my brother-inw for negotiating a perfect solution without any damage. Otherwise, they’d still be in Rohomes eating raw fish every day!”


    Chris red at Kane for undermining him.


    Kane kept talking, “In that godforsaken ce, all we ate were cold meals; it made my stomach hurt so much. At least now I can eat something warm.”


    “The high-tech products I gave my sister didn’t evene in handy,” Kane said as he took out Joyce’s gun-shaped brooch from his pocket. It was both a brooch and a pendant with dual functions.


    “Look at this; it has 3D projection and voice control features with thetest AI system embedded. Through voicemands, it can disy floating visual frames for basic information queries and hasmunication functions too. But once satellitemunication is cut off, it’s useless. It’s such a pity that my sister couldn’t use it.”


    “Pity? Not at all,” Luther said discontentedly. “Kane, I hope this thing never gets used in our lifetime.”


    “Right, right, brother-inw is absolutely right.” Since Luther reced him and let him retreat first, Kane had almost be his biggest supporter.


    “So I modified it a bit; now it’s a tie clip instead of a brooch or pendant.” Kane handed the gun-shaped tie clip to Karl. “Here you go; only someone in your special line of work might need this.”


    Karl looked awkward but epted it anyway. “Thanks.”


    “You’re wee,” Kane patted his chest proudly.


    Joyceughed; Kane was too funny.


    “Kane, where did you take Anderson and Iris? Bring them over,” Joyce asked.


    “I’ll get them right away,” Kane replied as he left. “It wasn’t me who took them; it was Chinn. Iris wanted to go bird hunting, and Anderson went along.”


    “Joyce, I heard Iris has a talent for shooting? nning to send her to the national team?” Juanita asked.


    “My mom has that n for when she’s older. For now, she’s still young and just building her foundation and physical training,” Joyce answered.


    “Impressive! Mr. Warner, your kids are all talented,” Juanita pointed at Joyce. “You have three sons; don’t forget our agreement for future marriages.”


    Karl pulled Juanita closer to him. “Don’t be silly.”


    Juanita stuck out her tongue yfully. “It’s great to keep it within the family. Besides, Joyce and Mr. Warner were betrothed as children; didn’t you know? This is fate.”


    Joyce smiled, “I don’t mind as long as the kids are willing.”


    She looked meaningfully at Juanita. “You and Karl were also arranged marriage partners but ran away from each other only to end up together anyway-that’s fate too.”


    Juanita felt embarrassed; if they had met back then, maybe she wouldn’t have run away from the marriage after all.


    “Hey, we’ve been chatting so much; let’s not ignore Nina.” Juanita pulled Nina over.


    Nina was more confident than before. “I’m enjoying listening to you all talk.”


    Juanita introduced Nina to everyone: “This is our future famous violinist. She’s already held three sold-out concerts before taking a break for six months due to childbirth. Next up is an important tour with concerts in the Capital, Khebury, and Alvonia. As one of the organizers, I’ll make sure each of you gets a ticket.”


    Nina shyly looked down.


    “A concert in Alvonia?” Joyce caught on and nced at Chris. “Chris, that’s your territory.”


    “Of course! Nina’s posters will be everywhere in Alvonia by then,” Juanita boasted.