Just outside this apartment building was a giant billboard with Maurice''s face on it,
drawing fans from all over who''de just to snap a photo.
Who would have guessed that the man bundled up so tightly in front of them was
actually Maurice himself?
Right now, Maurice was holding Effie in his arms. Her head pressed against his
hand, and beneath his palm was a pile of shattered ceramic.
Only moments ago, Effie had stumbled straight toward a vase, but Maurice had
noticed just in time, shielding her from the worst-which gave Suzan the perfect
opportunity to act.
Themotion drew everyone''s attention; nearly every eye in the lobby turned
toward them.
The moment people recognized Maurice, fans scrambled for their phones,
shouting excitedly, "That''s Maurice! It''s really him!"
There was no time for Maurice to keep up the act or deny his identity anymore.
Calm and collected, he helped Effie to her feet. "Are you alright?"
Still shaken, Effie shook her head. "I''m fine, but your hand-"
Maurice''s hands were famous-long, graceful, with strikingly elegant fingers.
Fans adored them so much, his management had insured them for millions.
But now Maurice''s hand was bleeding. If it didn''t heal properly, if it left a scar,
things could getplicated.
Unfazed, Maurice nced at his injury and shrugged it off. "It''s nothing. What
about you? Are you sure you''re okay?"
Effie bit her lip and nodded. "I''m fine."
A volley of questions erupted from the crowd. "Maurice, is she your friend or your
girlfriend? You two look awfully close-are you going toment?"
"Maurice, what brings you here? Are you on a date with this beautifuldy?"
Fans surged closer, forming a tight circle around Maurice and Effie and pushing
everyone else out.
Effie''s gaze flicked to Maurice''s
bleeding hand, irritation shing in
her eyes. Suddenly, her voice range
out loud and clear: "Everyone, please
step back. Maurice''s hand is injured!
His hand is insured for millions-can
any of you afford the risk if his
treatment is dyed?"
Her words dropped like a stone into still water, sending shockwaves through the
crowd. People immediately stepped aside, clearing a path.
But Maurice didn''t leave. Instead, he looked straight at Suzan.
Suzan, realizing she''d made a mess, instinctively edged closer to Lionel.
Maurice spoke evenly, "Suzan, everyone has to take responsibility for their
actions, don''t you think?"
"Uncle, please help me," Suzan whispered, clutching Lionel''s sleeve in
desperation.
Lionel frowned, clearly displeased with Suzan''s behavior. She''d injured someone
-did she really think she could just walk away?
"Suzan, you were in the wrong. You need to apologize and make things right,"
Lionel said, his voice cold and stern.
"I didn''t mean to," Suzan replied weakly, her heart sinking.
She didn''t dare use Lionel of
taking sides, but deep down, she
believed it. Lionel was standing up
for Effie. Was it because of a family
bond? Even if they didn''t
acknowledge each other, maybe
blood was enough for Lionel to
choose Effie over her.
A flicker of resentment crossed Suzan''s mind. Maybe if Effie were gone, none of
this would be happening.
"Suzan, you''re not a little kid
anymore. Why do you always act
like one when it''s time to apologize?"
Teresa''s voice rang out, clear and
firm. "My parents taught me that
when you make a mistake, you own
up to it. Saying "I didn''t mean to" is
just running away from
responsibility."
A chill swept over Suzan, cold and sharp.
The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and
continue reading tomorrow, everyone!