?Chapter 278


    Nathan remained silent for a moment before humming in response.


    M lowered her gaze, her fingers gently stroking the teddy bear in her arms as she murmured, "I''ve transferred 600 thousand dors to your ount."


    Nathan''s response was another quiet, nomittal hum. Hisposed and


    indifferent demeanor sent a wave of panic through M''s chest.


    Despite her desire to maintain distance and avoid any contact with him, she found herself torn and overwhelmed by conflicting emotions, the turmoil almost driving her to the brink of madness.


    She missed him dearly, desperately longing to see him again. Feeling at a loss for words, M simply said, "Never mind, goodbye."


    Before she could say anything more, Nathan abruptly ended the call.


    M gazed at her phone screen, tears cascading down her cheeks uncontrobly.


    Across from her, Phoebe sat munching on potato chips, her gaze filled with confusion as she observed M''s unexpected emotional outburst.


    Phoebe asked helplessly, "M, what did he say to you? Why are you crying?"


    M hastily set her phone aside and wiped away her tears, attempting topose herself. "I''m not crying. It''s just my tear nds acting up again. They seem to have a


    mind of their own.


    "And what exactly set off this sudden burst of tear activity?"


    M pouted, feeling aggrieved. "He didn''t utter a single word, merely responding with a couple of hmms."


    Phoebe couldn''t help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation, sighing in amusement.


    "You never fail to amaze me, M. You shed tears at the slightest provocation-be it nightmares, fatigue, unsessful experiments, disappointing takeout, or even a scolding from the driving instructor.


    "Now it''s getting even more absurd. A few indifferent noises from Nathan have you in tears again. Do you need surgery to fix those tear ducts of yours?"


    Taking a deep breath, M sank onto the sofa, shutting her eyes tightly to hold back the tears.


    A bitter chuckle escaped her lips. "You know, I used to cry even more when I was a child. I was quite the little drama queen, always seeking attention andfort."


    Phoebe, still engrossed in her potato chips, replied coolly, "It''s no surprise. Coming from a wealthy background, you were likely pampered and sheltered. Without facing real hardships, even minor grievances could bring you to tears."


    Reflecting on her past, M couldn''t help but smile. "I used to adore being coddled by Nate. Whenever I acted out or shed a tear, he''d rush to my side,pletely flustered and unsure how to handle it. And whenever I tried to be yful or flirtatious with him, he...


    Phoebe leaned in with curiosity. "What did he do then?"


    M''s smile slowly faded as she turned and settled into the sofa, burying her face without uttering a single word. The floodgates of her emotions reopened, and tears streamed down her cheeks once more.


    What were once cherished memories now felt unbearably bitter.


    She was once the darling of the family, showered with affection by her parents and doted on by her grandparents. Her ssmates adored her, and her teachers favored her. She was even held in high regard by the neighbors in hermunity.


    When Nathan showed her special affection from a young age, she initiallyContent from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    interpreted it as brotherly fondness. At the time, she couldn''t quite discem the true nature of their feelings.


    Suddenly, the phone rang.


    M anxiously turned toward it, expecting it to be her phone, only to find Phoebe answering it instead.


    As Phoebe listened to the call, she turned to M, a seriousness creeping into her gaze.


    "Okay, got it," Phoebe said, ending the call.


    Her demeanor was tense as she spoke, ''M, your grandfather is critically ill."


    M''s expression darkened, her concern evident. "But he seemed perfectly healthy when Ist saw him. How did he suddenly be so ill?''


    Phoebe conveyed, "The spy I ced inside Hoffis Manor informed me that your grandfather''s illness has been kept under wraps.


    "He''s receiving treatment solely from the family doctor and your uncle without being taken to the hospital.''


    M trembled with fury, her eyes tuming red. She rose to her feet, hands on her hips, and eximed, ''That scumbag! Is he trying to harm my grandfather?"


    Phoebe stood up beside M. "It seems like he intends to eliminate your grandparents and coborate with that impostor to seize control of your family''s entire fortune.


    "We can''t afford to wait idly by. We must take action to prevent this tragedy," Phoebe urged. "M, we have to act swiftly."


    M clenched her fists, struggling to contain her emotions as she replied, "Do you think I don''t want to? I have no idea about my parents'' fate. I fear they might have been harmed or are being held captive.


    "Once I reveal my identity, they''ll surely target my parents. And they won''t spare my grandparents, either."