Cherise bowed her head, releasing a deep sigh before meeting Damien’s gaze. the Tanner Family’s birthday banquet?”
“When is
“In a week,” Damien replied, exhaling with a sense of gravity. “We should depart tomorrow. The Tanners are very particular with customs and etiquette. We should move in well in advance to avoid being late.”
Cherise pursed her lips and nodded, her mind gravitating toward Mandy’s predicament. “What are we going to do about Mandy? We can’t just let her suffer any longer.”
Ever the rea*suring presence, Damien consoled her while affectionately stroking her head. “Don’t fret. I’ve already arranged for the chips extracted from her to be securely stored. When she was at Sequoia, her b*dy couldn’t receive signals, which indicates that remote. areas can obstruct these signals. The Wools knew that she had previously visited Sequoia. It would raise suspicion if we sent her back to that same place. My team has been scouting for other locations.”
He sighed, his voice heavy with concern. “Jacob will look after her until our return.”
Cherise nodded, feeling relieved that Mandy would be left in capable hands. “How long will we be away?”
“A week,” Damien answered, sealing his response with a tender k*ss upon her lips. “We will return after the birthday banquet. So, we must persuade the Tanners to provide us with the method to deactivate the chip in Mandy’s brain within the week.”
Cherise bit her lip and nodded resolutely. “Let’s give it our all?”
“Wholeheartedly,” Damien confirmed. He playfully pinched her cheek and asked, “Do you find me intimidating now?”
The question took Cherise by surprise. “What made you think I would?”
“With my sister being that cruel…” Damien sighed. “Do you find me intimidating too?”
Cherise shook her head fervently. “No, you’re wonderful. You are the finest person I’ve
ever met.”
Damien smiled, affectionately ruffling her hair. “Then I will strive to be the best.”
Cherise nodded, embracing his neck and planting a steadfast k*ss on his cheek. “My
husband is the best!”
“Actually, there’s something I’ve wanted to ask you.” Damien broached the topic with a
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hint of amusement. “Yesterday, I mentioned my intention to adopt Mandy as my sister. But why is it that I’ve become her brother-in-law just a day later instead?”
Cherise blushed and hesitated. “Well… fundamentally, isn’t it the same thing?”
little
Damien persisted while pursing his lip playfully, “It’s not the same. In the future, when we quarrel, she’ll take your side.”
Cherise blinked. “Um… What if we, well, just don’t get into arguments?”
Before departing for Europe, Cherise paid a visit to her school. She had a particular
in mind: to offer a sincere apology to her tutor.
purpose
Just half a month ago, she had taken a two-week leave from her studies due to health. issues. Unfortunately, she found herself in need of another week and three days of leave soon after.
Her tutor, accustomed to her frequent absences, addressed her sternly. “Ms. Shaw, consider this your final reminder! When you return after this ten-day vacation, you’ll be
on the brink of your final exams! Last semester, you had straight A’s in all your subjects. If your grades slip this semester, there’ll be no mercy from me!”
Cherise offered her tutor an apologetic smile and replied, “I completely understand.”
Her tutor maintained a firm stance, emphasizing the importance of action. “It’s not enough to merely understand. What truly counts is taking action!”
With a stern look, the tutor continued, “Make sure to bring your textbooks, and don’t neglect your studies!”
Cherise nodded earnestly, committing these instructions to memory. As she packed her luggage at home, she dutifully placed her textbooks in her suitcase.
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