Toph noticed that Renee might not be feeling well, so he asked her with concern. He even went out and brought back a lot of food and drinks for her.
Renee gazed at the array of dishes—main courses, sides, and desserts—all in her favorite flavors.
Tears welled up in her eyes, and an inexplicable emotion overcame her. She softly leaned against Toph's shoulder. Maybe no one else in the world would care for her like this. Even her mother had never remembered her preferences so well.
"What's wrong?" Toph stroked her head with a gentle smile. "Are you really feeling unwell? Should I send you home earlier and call a doctor?"
"Send me back home?" Renee's heart lurched. "Will you return after sending me home?"
"Hmm... I probably will," Toph replied candidly. "After all, the banquet hasn't ended yet, and my parents haven't left. If I leave first, it won't seem polite."
Renee bit her lip, remembering how Toph would never leave her side whenever she was unwell.
'Is he trying to send me back so I don't embarrass him here?' she wondered darkly.
She had actually overheard some gossip. People were whispering about her, claiming she was the daughter of a traitor from the Thompsons. They said her mother had mental health issues and criticized the Hamertons for accepting her as their daughter-in-law.
They even mentioned that the Hamertons were originally supposed to have a marriage alliance with the Bayers and that it was really unfortunate for Toph.
Suddenly, Renee felt annoyed, and her good mood at the beginning of the event had vanished completely.
Toph couldn't figure out why she seemed happy at times and sad at others. He just assumed she wasn't feeling well. So, he tried different things to make her feel better. He cracked jokes, purposefully sang badly, and eventually introduced her to a mobile game.
"Renee, I'll help you create an account, and we can play together! We can make a couple in this game..."
"No need," Renee said lightly. "I've never been good at playing games. Besides, didn't Ms. Bayer just say the couple you formed in the game won't make it to the end?"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Married a Secret Billionaire