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Lena held the bag tightly in her hand. Beside her, Chris felt that something was wrong and turned to give her a
concerned and serious look.
"I didn't..."
"I know." He held her hand firmly. "It's okay. I'll accompany you to explain it."
"There's no need for an explanation at all," Lena whispered. "Renee framed me! I haven't done anything wrong.
Even if the police come, I won't admit to it!"
"Lenny..." Chris looked pained. "But it's best not to blow this out of proportion for now. It's Aunt Cordelia's birthday
today, and Renee is Toph's fiancee. If we make a scene, you won't gain anything and will have to endure everyone's
criticism—"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"I'm not afraid!"
"Lenny!" Chris held her shoulder. "I know you're not afraid of gossip, but aren't you afraid of being misunderstood
by Lina?"
Lena froze, her gaze slowly dimming.
Chris smiled wryly. Saying anything else was futile. Only Lina had the power to influence Lena. As her boyfriend,
Chris accepted his role humbly, willing to be second to Lina in Lena's life.
"I understand how you feel," Chris whispered in her ear. "But now isn't the time for a head-on confrontation. We
need to act wisely."
Lena looked at him.
His eyes shone with trust and determination that were exclusively hers.
At that moment, Lena was certain that even if the whole world condemned her, he would always stand by her side.
She smiled at him. For the first time in her life, she had a pair of strong arms as her warm harbor.
The lost ring alarmed Cordelia, Zephyr, and the other elders. They all gathered around, asking about the situation.
Renee stayed with Toph, crying while continuously apologizing to Cordelia.
"Mom!" Toph was anxious. "I think we should call the police!"
"Nonsense!" Zephyr side-eyed him. "It's your mother's birthday, and you want to call the police during the birthday
party? You really came up with something!"
"But that ring..."
"Toph, it's only a ring," Zuko said calmly, exchanging a knowing look with his father. He then turned to Toph and
spoke softly. "Let's not spoil mom's mood over something so minor."
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Toph paused briefly. Suddenly, Renee gently nudged his arm.
Cordelia captured the action perfectly.
"Mom! We should call the police," Toph blurted out, his hesitation from a moment ago gone. "It's a family heirloom,
and you gave it to Renee as a gift. I don't want her to endure any injustice."
"Will calling the police prevent her from suffering injustice?" Cordelia's voice was gentle, but each word was firm.
"Renee, tell me, when was the last time you saw that ring?"
Renee bit her lip, answering softly, "It... It was in the restroom. I always take the ring off and put it in my bag before
washing my hands."
"Then where's your bag?"
Tears welled up in Renee's eyes again as she shook her head.
"Mom, look!" Toph said, "Even her bag is gone!"
"Toph!" Zuko glared at him, giving him a look that told him to stop.
Cordelia smiled faintly. She had heard that the white pearl bag was a gift from Lina. Under normal circumstances,
who would easily lose such a bag?
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