Edward nodded, his admiration for her strength evident.Adele, now standing close to Brenda, offered a reassuring smile. "Bren, if at any point during the process you're feeling uncomfortable or something seems wrong, just let me know. I'll be right here by your side."Brenda's gaze softened, touched by Adele's unwavering support. "Thank you. Having you here makes all the difference."With a nod, Brenda took a deep breath and made a decision. She reached for the strap that held her prosthetic hand in place and slowly began to remove it. As the hand came off, she set it aside with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. It was a symbol of her journey, and she was ready to embrace the next chapter.Adele's eyes sparkled with admiration for Brenda's courage. "You're amazing, Bren."Brenda's smile grew, and she stepped forward, her toes dipping into the water. It was cool and inviting, and she relished the sensation. With Adele by her side, she continued walking deeper into the pool un

As the conversation reached a comfortable pause, a chilly breeze swept through the air, causing Brenda to shiver involuntarily. She glanced at the house and then back at Edward. "It's getting a bit cold now. I think I might head inside and warm up. Are you coming?"Edward's gaze followed hers to the house, and then he looked back at the crackling fire. He hesitated for a moment before shaking his head with a soft smile. "I think I'll stay out here a bit longer."Brenda nodded, understanding his desire for solitude. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Alright then. Just don't stay out too long and catch a cold, okay? I'll make sure the bed is warm when you come in."As Brenda made her way toward the house, Edward watched her retreating figure. Once she was out of earshot, he let out a deep sigh, his gaze fixated on the flickering flames.He took another drag from his cigarette, his mind drifting into contemplation. It wasn't lost on him that he sometimes lacked sensitivity when it

Edward leaned back in his chair, his gaze shifting from Brenda to Adele. He knew that explaining the source of his finances was a delicate matter, one that couldn't be fully revealed. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke cryptically yet earnestly, "I understand it's hard to grasp, but the source of my wealth isn't conventional. It comes from a highly sophisticated, decentralized system. It's a network of transactions and assets that even I can't fully explain or trace. I didn't create it. It's more like a digital anomaly that somehow benefits me."He paused for a moment, searching for words that could shed some light on the enigma. "Think of it as a hidden current in the vast ocean of digital finance. It's there, flowing beneath the surface, but its origin and mechanisms are beyond comprehension. All I know is that it's reliable, secure, and impossible for anyone to track back to me. It's my way of ensuring our safety."Brenda and Adele exchanged glances once more, this time fill

Sarah's frustration was palpable as she exchanged incredulous glances with her fellow associates. This was no "minor hiccup" in their eyes, but a significant threat to the company's future."Mr. Robert," she turned to their CEO, "this is not a 'trifling matter.' We are facing a major problem, and our company's future is at stake. Your friend's cavalier attitude is deeply concerning."Mark Sullivan, the Vice President of Global Expansion, chimed in, echoing Sarah's sentiments. "I have to agree, Mr. Robert. While I respect your relationship with him, his behavior and comments are not appropriate for this critical situation."Rio Chen, the Head of Operations in Chia, nodded in agreement. "We need everyone in this room fully committed to finding a solution. Your friend's attitude is detrimental to our collective effort."Robert, to the surprise of many, did not immediately reprimand Edward or attempt to defuse the tension. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, seemingly unfazed by the mou

Edward followed Robert into the residence, and as they entered, Robert explained some unique security measures that were in place."Boss, I must inform you that this residence is entirely offline. We're off the grid, so to speak. Even the security systems are isolated."Edward raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the extent of the precautions. "No internet at all? That's quite a commitment. I like that"Robert nodded. "Absolutely. We can't afford any leaks or electronic eavesdropping."Edward couldn't help but respect Robert's dedication to safeguarding their operations. He glanced around the tastefully decorated interior, which had an air of sophistication and elegance. "I see you've thought of everything."Robert led Edward to a comfortable sitting area. "And there's more, Boss. The staff here is well-trained. All security personnel have strict instructions to turn off their phones while on duty, and no one uses GPS in their vehicles while inside the premises. It's a closed environment."