Nicholas put a hand on Melvin's shoulder and gave it a firm pat. "You have to be there by then! You hear?"
Melvin quickly nodded and raised his glass, celebrating their supposedly deep family bond.
Zuko glanced at Pammy beside him. It seemed like she had not spoken a word since sitting at the dining table. She kept her head down, poking at the food on her plate with her fork, her large eyes seemingly holding countless thoughts.
…
On the way back, Zuko remained silent. Cordelia and Zephyr also looked grim.
The situation was too bizarre.
The person who had kidnapped Pammy years ago was a distant relative of Nicholas, someone almost completely unrelated to him. He had just risked it to get some money. Now, the person who had brought Pammy back was Nicholas' cousin.
Before Nicholas acquired his current wealth, none of his relatives had been willing to associate with him.
"Honey, I'm a little worried." Zephyr spoke softly. "That relative of Nicholas kidnapped Pammy for money back then, and now Melvin returned with her. Something doesn't feel right."
"Yeah, I feel uneasy too." Cordelia muttered, "But seeing Linda so excited, I can't bear to... Besides, what if she is Pammy?"
"Mom, dad, why are you troubled by such things?" Toph, who had been silent, took off his earphones and smiled. "Find a way to get that Pammy to someone we know and do a DNA test. It's easy to get samples from Uncle Nicholas and Aunt Linda. The key is Pammy!"
Cordelia glanced at him. "Do you have any ideas?"
Toph smirked mischievously and cast a wicked gaze at his own brother.
"My brother's engaged to the Thompson heiress, isn't he? If they get married and sleep together, getting some samples wouldn't be difficult, right? You'll get the sample on their wedding night— Oww!"
Cordelia smiled and happily leaned on his shoulder.
Zuko and Toph shrank back simultaneously, one focusing on his phone and the other listening to music. Most likely, even when they arrived home, their father would not have the heart to wake up their mother and would quietly carry her from the car all the way home. The two of them sighed in unison before they looked at each other and burst into laughter.
Their parents' lovey-dovey moments were not meant to be watched, or their eyes would sting!
Zuko looked at the rapidly receding scenery outside and glanced upward. A full moon hung in the navy night sky. He wondered if the moon in Jangasas was as round and bright and what the people beneath it were thinking.
He checked the time on his watch. It was now past 8:00 p.m., and according to Lina's usual habits, she should be taking a walk by the seaside at this time. However, she had to pass through a dark path to get from the alley to the seaside.
Zuko jolted, and his heart raced as he quickly dialed a number on his phone.
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