The corner of Lena's lips was slightly swollen, and there were clear fingerprints on her face.
Lina's heart tightened. She hadn't anticipated Renee, who appeared delicate, acting so aggressively and quickly.
Surprisingly, Lina didn't dodge at all, suggesting this wasn't an isolated incident.
Lina brought ice and helped Lena apply it to her face. Lena looked at her and finally showed a faint smile.
"Does it still hurt?"
Lena shook her head.
Lina angrily exclaimed, "Does Renee usually treat you like this at home?"
"Nothing like that." Lena seemed indifferent. "She's actually quite nice to me. Besides, I might have spoken too
harshly just now. It's my fault."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Lenny..."
"It's okay. Go check on her." Lena smiled sincerely. "I have thick skin and can take a hit. But she's the one who's
wounded inside. She's the one who needs comfort the most."
Lina could barely manage to say, "Lenny, you're always thinking about others..."
"It's not for her sake." Lena sighed lightly and said, "It's because I know what it's like to lose a mother."
Lina hugged Lena, who appeared incredibly delicate. Lena's thoughtfulness was so touching that it pained the
heart.
On the way back from the Thompsons, Lina was weighed with worries. Seeing her concern, Zuko gently hugged her
and showed her a social media post.
Renee had posted a few pictures of the white purse from different angles with the caption: [I'm sorry, Lina.]
Lina was moved, her eyes slightly red.
Renee still cared about her, but she had some unresolved issues. Once those issues were resolved and the haze
cleared, she would be the same innocent and kind Renee that Lina knew.
Lina sighed and checked her phone. Renee had not said anything for a long time in their group chat.
Just as she was thinking about it, a message suddenly popped up in the chat. Toph had sent a time and a hotel
address with a crying face emoji.
Toph: [Family, you must come this weekend!]
Lina paused and suddenly remembered that the hotel mentioned seemed to belong to the Bayers.
"Do you know what this is about?" She looked at Zuko.
Zuko smiled helplessly. "It's probably a gathering from the Tanners."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"The Tanners?"
Zuko nodded. The Tanners were one of the four major families in Centrolis. Despite experiencing ups and downs,
possibly being the weakest of the four families in terms of strength, they maintained their status by relying on the
Bayers' support.
"I heard that a relative of the Tanners just had a pair of twins. This weekend is the babies' celebration, and they've
invited people from the four major families."
"Oh..."
"Our families have complicated alliances and intertwined interests," Zuko said softly. "When one family has a joyous
event, the other three will go to celebrate. In reality, it's just an opportunity to strengthen ties.
"We have a longstanding relationship with the Bayers, and since Aunt Kelly is married to Uncle Josiah, we have to
attend the Tanners' event."