“Don’t be so mean, dad.” Zuko was stubborn.

“Mean?” Zephyr scoffed. “I’m only telling the truth! Zuko, you’re the Hamerstons’ first son. Are you setting this example for your brother? You want the younger generation to learn this nonsense from you?”

“Dad!” Zuko took a deep breath, trying to suppress his emotions, and explained properly, “Firstly, I don’t know that woman. The annual meeting ended late. I was caught off guard when she threw herself at me!

“Secondly, I’m not admitting to any of the scandals in the past!”

Zephyr raised his eyebrows. “So, these women were desperate?”

Zuko nodded confidently.

“You—”

“Dad, I still have a third point.” Zuko paused for a moment. A glint of seriousness flashed through his eyes when he looked up again. “E-Even if I really have a girlfriend, it’s nothing wrong!”

“What did you say!?” Zephyr was stunned.

Zuko thought he would just say whatever he had been holding back once and for all. “I know you and mom are still holding onto the promise with the Thompsons for me to marry their daughter. I hope I’ll hold onto that too. But she’s no longer with us. She has disappeared for 18 years! Why are you guys so stubborn?”

“Shut your mouth!” Zephyr was shocked, furious, and emotional.

Cordelia quickly approached, held, and comforted him while patting his chest softly.

“Stop it, Zuko!” Cordelia blamed him. “Your father is right about you. Why did you talk back? You said that it’s fake news, but you’ve been hanging out with them lately. That’s how they managed to get those pictures. We didn’t accuse you!”

“Mom…”

Cordelia’s voice was shaking as she said, “Also, we didn’t find her body. She merely went missing! Uncle Nicholas has been looking for her all these years!”

“Why must you lie to yourself?” Zuko felt an ache in his heart. “They would have found her if she was still alive!”

“Zuko!”

sensible!? Must I keep the marriage promise? You guys would condemn me every time such news came out! Are you telling me

words rendered

to slap him, but

their son was indeed correct. However, for some reason, she couldn’t shake off the guilt she had carried since Pammy had gone missing 18 years ago, a time when Cordelia had two

up as a miscarriage, and their second child had

couldn’t shake off the guilt that grew within her, contrasting with the happiness she

it. She

say it out loud, she was

had clues

find her!” Zuko raised

raised his hand and tossed his cup. A loud

Zuko stood aside quietly.

been a good boy

and

like Zephyr—their temper was similar as

demeanor, concealing their emotions

that moment, a wave of complex

they were still young. They could work as hard as the young people in the office.

memories were vivid, but she could never go

Zephyr and Cordelia stepped back

his face

gloating. “You dare to offend

him

playing the game. “Perhaps they’re too close

asked, “Toph, do you think Pammy is

by the question and scratched his head while replying, “I’ve already

was right. Neither did Zuko remember her. After all, he was only a little

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