The phone suddenly buzzed with a message from Jayden.

"Mark is part of the Hidden family!"

Tina raised an eyebrow. "Keep digging. Don't miss a single clue."

"Ding!"

Another notification came in, and as Tina marveled at Jayden's efficiency, her phone suddenly exploded with nearly a hundred messages. WhatsApp was flooded with red notification bubbles. Text messages followed in a steady stream.

Albert Sitwell, Hendrik Stiller, Shonna Woodham...

Just seeing these familiar names gave Tina the feeling of being back at Ensford High School, managing her homeroom class.

Rubbing her temples in exasperation, she sighed. These kids were persistent.

The string of numbers on the board from back then-they still remembered.

Time flies. Now they should be in their sophomore year of college.

Tina paused what she was doing and began replying to each of them, one by one.

No matter how the WhatsApp avatars blinked or flashed, she first responded to the earnest blessings sent by her students to her and Uncle.

After finishing those replies, Tina finally opened WhatsApp.

The first avatar on the list was Paula's, accompanied by a long string of congratulatory emojis and messages.

Though labeled as blessings, it was more like a venting session.

"Ugh, just looking at this invitation has given me red-eye syndrome. That idiot at my house still hasn't come to his senses. Will I ever wear a wedding dress in this lifetime? Boohoo!" "But don't worry, I'll definitely attend your wedding. Not just for Hayden, but for the sake of our revolutionary friendship."

Tina chuckled, recalling something. She found an old voice recording from her pinned chats and forwarded it to Paula as a little gift in return.

Paula immediately replied with a "?"

Tina didn't respond further. Some things were better left for Paula to figure out on her own.

Scrolling down, she saw her brothers' complaints about receiving the wedding invitations late, despite having prepared gifts in advance. "Serena doesn't love us anymore!"

but roll her eyes and

Don't worry, even if I'm filming abroad, I'll make it to

their congratulations, and Tina

list was Lysander's message, which was, as expected, over

can I

was

wedding? She doubted he'd make it out alive if

"No," and ignored

was about to put her phone down, Velma

calls ended up competing, causing a "connection

Velma: "??"

Paula: "What the heck?"

exactly what they wanted. If she answered either of

lengthy monologues, she replied to Velma with, "Busy," and to Paula with,

world finally quieted

was to get married, not become a celebrity. Did these people think she was some sort of bride-to-be with nothing else to do? Looking at the endless stream of notifications on her phone, she had half a mind to turn

another text message popped

Poppy

In the hospital room.

fragile. When he saw Tina, his eyes lit up, but

he quietly looked away and murmured, "Tina, you're

only to drop it again. "I... I can't explain it. It feels

Poppy obediently swallowed it.

smiled. "You're brave. Aren't you afraid

shook his head, his tone firm.

why her mother had

pleading

she hadn't misheard. "You want to hear about

but then River did something bad to her, and Grandpa wouldn't

pressed tightly together, and the light in his eyes

to my wedding in a few days. My mom will be there

eyes sparkled. "Really? Tina, you're getting married

blinked. What did

"Poppy, do you remember

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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