Reborn From Oblivion

Lincoln was completely taken aback. "I lost?"

Morris chimed in, "Uncle, take a look. Didn't you lose?"

Lincoln stared at the chessboard, moving the pieces around. After a moment of disbelief, he looked up at Morris with wide eyes. "You've got some serious talent, kid."

Morris replied modestly, "Just got lucky, I guess."

Lincoln patted his shoulder. "Luck or not, beating me says you're no dummy."

Then, a thought struck him about Morris's time in prison, and a wave of unease swept over him. After all, there's a saying: it's not the street-smart ruffians you need to fear, but the educated ones. His daughter spending time with a morally questionable, highly intelligent ex-con? The idea made him uneasy.

Lincoln's gaze shifted from admiration to caution as he looked at Morris. Nathalie cheered, "Dad, you lost! Next week, I'm officially in vacation mode!" Lincoln asked, "Vivian, with such a long break, what are you planning to do?" "Traveling, of course!"

"Where are you planning on going?" Lincoln's curiosity was piqued. "Where to?" "Maybe Malta."

Lincoln probed further, "And who are you going with?"

Nathalie pointed directly at Morris.

Lincoln immediately protested, "Absolutely not. You can go with anyone, anyone but him."

"Why not?" Nathalie asked, puzzled.

"Because he's trouble-"

Morris gave him a pointed look...

Lincoln quickly changed his tune, "I mean, his leg isn't in great shape. He needs help with things like bathing and using the bathroom. I'm worried you won't be able to handle it."

Nathalie reassured him, "Don't worry, Dad. I can take good care of him."

Morris's ears turned slightly red in surprise. "You're willing to help me with such personal things?"

Nathalie nodded.

"She'd do anything for you, even most mundane tasks," Nathalie added, without a hint of

embarrassment. After all eine

Nathan

was her lifesaver. fo

Morris coughed awkwardly, clearly embarrassed.

Lincoln

Sinned pale. He reminded misunderstandingset

you and Nathan are both

Being too close might lead to

Nathalie confidently responded, "We have nothing to hide. We're honest and open."

List

Still, Lincoln was unyielding. "Vivian, Nathan is engaged to your cousin. Being with him could upset her And the rumors that might spread could be unpleasant." noveldrama

Hearing that, Nathalie fell silent.

The room was suddenly filled with a tense, oppressive air.

Nathalie's face was heavy with resignation. "Fine. I won't travel then."

She turned and left, sadness trailing behind her.

Lincoln was dumbfounded. "Did I say something wrong?"

Morris replied, "You didn't."

Lincoln shot him a sharp look. "It's your fault, always getting involved with women. Now my daughter is heartbroken over you."

Morris couldn't defend himself. The engagement with Ashley was something their families had decided without consulting him.

Nathalie returned to her room and shut herself in.

That night, for some reason, she had a series of strange, disjointed dreams.

She dreamed of Ashley scolding her: "You homewrecker! Your own marriage failed, and now you're trying to steal my fiancé?"

Then, there were onlookers sneering at her, "A divorced woman, dreaming of marrying into the Rowland family?"

Nathalie awoke in a cold sweat, tossing and turning for the rest of the night.