"Not another word from you, starting this very moment!" she threatened.

Melon, perplexed by his mother's wrath, looked pitiful but dared not defy her dominance.

Meanwhile, Holden couldn't stifle a chuckle once the line fell silent.

Alongside his laughter, an intense yearning to meet Ariana in person surged within him.

The realization jolted him. She had thoroughly enchanted him.