Edna shimmered with a glint of defiance, fleeting yet unmistakable, "J, you shouldn''t joke with


    me like that."


    "I''m dead serious, Edna. No joke," J replied with a stern look.


    Just then, a subtle tread of footsteps echoed in the living room.


    Edna turned to look.


    A tall figure approached, backlit by the fading sunlight.


    At thirty-nine, the man had shed any trace of youthful impatience, exuding an air of quiet assurance.


    Jonah, having helmed the Lindsay family for years,manded a presence that was both noble


    and intimidating. Such a man was undeniably captivating.


    His limp, the result of a missing right leg, did not detract from his charm but added a unique allure.


    Throughout Capital City, a slew of debutantes were itching to get in good with Jonah, but over the


    years, no one had managed to snag his attention.


    A blush crept onto Edna''s cheeks as she rose to her feet, "Jonah, I''ve simmered a pot of stew for


    J. Would you care for some?"


    "No thanks," Jonah replied curtly, striding past her.


    He was always like this with her.


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Once, Edna thought it was just his way.


    Until one afternoon, she caught a glimpse of Jonah with Carole, his demeanor entirely different.


    That was when Edna realized he wasn''t naturally so detached.


    But now, with Carole''s betrayal, was Edna still less in his eyes than a fickle-hearted woman?


    J chuckled, "Don''t mind him, Edna. Jonah''s always been like that. If he doesn''t want your


    delicious stew, more for me! His loss, really!"


    Edna''s smile remained undimmed, "J, Jonah and I grew up together. No one knows him better


    than I do. How could I be upset with him?"


    Patting Edna''s hand, J added, "That''s why I''ve always said you''re the best match for Jonah."


    Edna was kind-hearted and generous, deeply familiar with his ways, and she had an adorable


    daughter to boot.


    J truly approved of her.


    In Cloudcrest.


    Anthea had spent the entire day at school.


    By the end of the day, her drastic transformation was the talk of the entire campus, with students


    from other sses flocking to see the spectacle during breaks.


    Since it was her first day in the new ss, Anthea hadn''t touched her phone, instead paying close


    attention to the lessons.


    After school, she fired up herputer to tackle some coding tasks.


    The OS System was now two-thirdsplete.


    The rest could be managed on her phone.


    While coding, Anthea took moments to reply to her client''s messages.


    Noticing it was eight o''clock, the peak of the dinner rush, she shut down herputer to help out in


    the family diner.


    Meanwhile, Daniel closed hisptop and turned to Sherman, "Sherman, I just got word from our


    tech wizard. The OS System will be ready next week!"


    Sherman lounged on the couch, one hand propping up his head, the other idly twirling a pen


    between his long fingers, his expression unreadable.


    At Daniel''s news, Shermanzily lifted his eyelids, revealing deep-set eyes, "Have we identified


    Phoenix yet?"


    "Not yet," Daniel shook his head.


    The wizard was a tough nut to crack.


    Changing the subject, Daniel perked up, "Forget that for now. Sherman, I found a good joint that


    serves up the bestfort food. You’ve got to try their specials! Let''s hit it up tonight! They''ve also


    got a vegetarian sd that''s to die for. I bet you''ll be hooked after one taste!"


    On the other side.


    Upon learning of Daniel''s whereabouts, Reba immediately set off to Yeager''s Delicacies with


    Alicia and Mae in tow. After all, it was the modest background that highlighted the true beauty of


    Reba.


    Reba never went anywhere without Alicia and Mae.


    Once they arrived, Reba was surprised to find Anthea working as a waitress again, despite the


    ce being called Yeager''s Delicacies. She couldn''t fathom that Anthea had any real connection to


    the establishment.


    Anthea, a nobody, running a diner was ludicrous to even consider.


    But Reba''s focus wasn''t on Anthea today. She quickly spotted Daniel and another man sitting


    across from him.


    The man''s back was to her, his face obscured.


    Yet, just the sight of his silhouette sent a shiver down her spine,manding and regal.


    If the system''s information was right, Daniel was tight with Mr. Christensen. Could this man be him?


    Who else could radiate such an aura if not Mr. Christensen?


    It seemed her trip wasn''t in vain.


    Curling her lips into a sly smile, Reba signaled to Mae and Alicia, "Let''s sit over there."


    "Sure."


    They took a table next to Daniel''s. "Waitress, we''re ready to order!"


    Anthea jogged over, "What can I get for you three?"


    It was then Anthea realized they were familiar faces.


    Here to stir up trouble again? She arched an eyebrow, unfazed.


    Reba asked, "Could you rmend some of the house specials?"


    Anthea mentioned, "The roasted rabbit is quite popr. You might enjoy that."


    If her memory served right, Mr. Christensen was a vegetarian.


    Reba wouldn''t miss an opportunity to impress Mr. Christensen, feigning shock, "Rabbit? Those


    poor, adorable creatures. How could we possibly eat them?"


    Anthea''s smile was light, her eyes twinkling mischievously, "Rats aren''t nearly as cute. Shall I bring


    one out for you?"