Due to illness, Samantha has been looking listless these past few days.
Even Charlotte wither along with her.
In the kindergarten, Charlotte sits on a small stool, facing the lollipop handed by her male classmate Henley without any interest.
Seeing that even the lollipop couldn't spark any interest in Charlotte, Henley, concerned, asked, "Charlotte, what's wrong? Why are you so down? Are you sick?"
Henley really likes Charlotte.
From the first day Charlotte transferred to the school, he noticed this chubby and beautiful little girl.
Knowing that she likes to eat, he brings her snacks in various styles every day.
In the past, every time she received something to eat, she would happily call him "Brother Henley."
He felt really sweet inside.
Charlotte shook her head, "No, it's my mom who is sick. I'm worried about my mom."
Henley quickly comforted her, "Don't worry, your mom will get better soon."
Charlotte lowered her little head, still not in the mood.
Henley turned his eyes and suddenly said, "Don't be unhappy! Tell me, what do you want to eat? I'll bring it for you tomorrow."
Charlotte tilted her head, thinking seriously.
Alexander sat on the side, watching Henley being attentive to Charlotte, and in her mind, Noah's words suddenly echoed.
‘There's a boy named Henley in the kindergarten who seems to like Charlotte. Keep an eye on Charlotte, and don't be fooled.’
Alexander felt a sourness bubbling up inside.
He walked over, stood between the two, and warned, "Let me tell you, don't think you can win my sister over just because you bring her food. No way..."
Henley had long noticed that Alexander didn't like him.
Every time he got close to Charlotte, Alexander always stood between them.
Repeatedly challenging him.
"You're just Charlotte's brother. Do you think you can protect her and be with her forever?"
Alexander shielded Charlotte behind him, "Why not? As long as I'm here, you can forget about taking Charlotte away."
Charlotte belonged to him.
No one could take her away.
Henley, frustrated, gritted his teeth, "Charlotte, your brother is too domineering. Why don't you come play with me? I'll be your brother."
Charlotte peeked out from behind Alexander's head, shaking hers, "No, I only want my brother. I don't want you to be my brother..."
Even though Henley bought her lots of delicious treats every day, her brother's place in her heart was unshakable.
No one could replace him.
Henley stormed off in frustration. Seeing the teacher organizing the program for Children's Day, he slyly smiled and walked over, saying, "Miss, Alexander and I want to sign up for a piano performance..."
His piano skills had already passed the sixth level.
For kindergarten kids, reaching the sixth level is quite impressive.
Alexander doesn't know anything.
He wants to outshine Alexander on Children's Day.
Let Alexander know how impressive he is.
...
Chelsea Creek.
Ethan accompanies Noah to kindergarten.
Looking at Noah, who has become silent and reserved again, Ethan asks with concern, "What's wrong with you? Why aren't you speaking?"
Noah tilts his head to look at him, his face serious, and asks, "Father, do you like Miss Samantha?"
Ethan is taken aback.
Ignoring his title, all his thoughts linger on the phrase 'Do you like Miss Samantha?'
Seeing him not answering.
Noah turns his head and looks out the car window, saying thoughtfully, "If you like her, boldly pursue your own happiness. Finding a woman you like is not easy."
Ethan looks at him in surprise.
"At such a young age, how do you know these things?"
Noah doesn't answer his question and continues, "I know you don't like Suzy Miller. Marrying a woman you don't love won't bring happiness."
These past few days, for his father and Miss Samantha.
He has been cramming emotional programs every day.
So, compared to kids of the same age, he knows more about love and marriage.
After hearing his words, a shadow falls over Ethan's eyes.
"Samantha doesn't know her place, repaying kindness with enmity. How could I ever like such a woman!"
These days, he waits for her messages every night.
But she seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth.
Completely lost contact.
It makes him anxious, thinking day and night.
Noah says quietly, "Whether you like her or not, you know it in your heart. Don't deceive yourself. Otherwise, you will regret it later."
"Enough!" Ethan impatiently interrupts him. "You should focus on studying now. Leave the adult matters alone."
Noah wisely stays silent.
Silence all the way.
Ethan drops Noah off at the kindergarten gate, watching him go inside before driving away.
...
After a few days of treatment, Samantha's health has fully recovered.
The court date has also been set.
Samantha pays no attention to the legal matters, locking herself in the study and focusing on work.
Karen walks in, concerned, "Samantha, what are you busy with? You've just recovered; you should rest. Work is never-ending."
Samantha doesn't lift her head, drafting drawings while answering, "I just took on a project. I promised the client to provide the preliminary drawings within a week."
Karen is stunned.
Can't believe someone would still dare to hire the now infamous Samantha.
She pretends to be pleasantly surprised, grasping Samantha's hand excitedly, "You really took on a project? I was so afraid what happened with Suzy would affect you. Seeing you picking yourself up again, I'm genuinely happy."
Samantha blames herself, "I'm sorry for making you worry."
Karen shakes her head, comforting, "As long as you can pick yourself up, my worries mean nothing."
Afterwards, she casually asks, "Which company is this project for? You should thank them for extending a helping hand during your tough time."
Samantha straightforwardly replies, "It's the Stanton. Miss Lena Stanton's birthday is coming up, and the lady of the Stanton asked me to design a birthday necklace for Miss Lena."
Karen asks again, "Did they only approach you? Or, like the Steele family, did they also approach several designers and choose the satisfactory one?"
Samantha says, "I heard they approached several designers, but the final decision is in Miss Lena's hands."
"Oh!"
Karen absentmindedly responds, lost in thought.
So, it's the same as the Steele family.
Only the capable ones get the opportunity.
If that's the case, whether Samantha will ultimately succeed is still uncertain.
"Samantha, I won't disturb you any longer. Work well. If you get tired, take a rest. Money can be earned anytime, but once your health is ruined, everything is gone."
Samantha expresses gratitude, "I know!"
Karen leaves the study, glancing back at the closed door. She tiptoes back to her room, locks the door, and calls Suzy.
"Suzy, I heard that the Stanton family invited many designers to create a necklace for Miss Lena. Were you invited? Samantha is one of the invitees."
Suzy furrows her brows, angrily saying, "Her reputation in the jewelry industry is ruined. Why would anyone still hire her?"
Karen, with a sinister tone, says, "It seems that what happened to her last time wasn't enough to completely ruin her."
Suzy snorts, maliciously stating, "Since it's not enough, I'll make sure it's thorough this time. I want to see her fall into the abyss and never climb back up again."
***