Jessica cheered, “Yay!”

    Lisa said with a pout, “Jessica, are you really leaving me? What about Mom and me? We’ll miss you so much, you’re my little ray of sunshine.”

    She was about to say more when Vivian paused, thought for a moment, and said, “Did I forget to mention? I’m nning to find a job here in Hathndb, /bso I’ll be staying for now.”

    These past few days, Vivian had been working on extending her visa. With her previous work experience bas /ba reference, the approval shoulde through soon.

    Lisa genuinely pulled a long face. After all, Hathnd was Maxine and Jessica’s hometown, so it was only natural for them to stay. But now, even her own mother was nning to remain in Hathnd. Lisa couldn’t help but feel even imore /ileft out.

    Lisa pouted and edged closer, tugging at Vivian’s sleeve. “Mom, are you really staying here? What about me? I only have a tourist visa. What am I supposed to do?”

    Vivian shot her a nce. “Then you’ll have to go back when your visa expires.”

    Lisa suddenly realized she was the only one in the car who’d have to leave when her visa expired, the others all had long–term residency. After Urban helped Maxine fake her death, he’d arranged a new identity for her under the same name.

    Vivian had a long–term visa, and Jessica was originally from Hathnd anyway.

    Lisa had been really down about this, only perking up when Jessica agreed to take her out to explore the local sights and shops.

    Vivian said apologetically to Maxine, “Sorry that Lisa brought Jessica here without asking you first. I should’ve given you a heads–up.”

    Maxine smiled and said, “It’s okay. Jessica’s all grown up now, it’s her choice, Besides, things aren’t as dangerous as they used to be.”

    Hamlin already had his hands full. With the court date fast approaching, she had to scramble to ‘find‘ any evidence she could.

    Over ithe /inext few days, Jessica took Lisa out exploring. They even bumped into some bof /bJessica’s old friends from Hathnd, and together, the group visited a nearby cultural site.

    When they got back, both of them were practically bouncing with excitement, each carrying two big shopping bags. They couldn’t wait to show off all the treasures they’d bought to everyone at home.

    “Oh, and this!” Lisa eximed, excitedly pulling two exquisite cups from the box and handing them to Vivian. “I spotted se right away! So beautiful, real Hathnd style!”

    Vivian had never seen such exquisite tea cups before. She turned them over in her hands,pletely enchanted and unable to bput /bthem down. bShe /bsaid, “Lisa, next time you go shopping there, get two more for me!“b. /b

    “Oh, by the way,” Maxine said with a smile as she finished helping Jessica put things away. She turned to her and asked, “How’s bthe /bnew bjob /bgoingb? /bEverything working out okay?”

    Vivian shrugged. “Pretty bgood/b. You know how it bis/bb, /bthere are always a few hups, but nothing I can’t handle.”

    Maxine smiled and said, “If anythinges bup/b, just let me know. I have some connections who can help sort things bout/bb./bb” /b

    b“/bHey,” Vivian corrected with a confident smirkb, /bI’m tough bas /bnails. You bdon’t /bhave bto /bworry about bme/bb./bb” /b

    Maxine smiled as she watched Lisa take a sip from her cup, immediately scrunching bup /bbher /bbface /bin disgust. bWith /bba /bbmischievous /bbglint /bin bher /beye. L eagerly turned bto /bVivianb, /boffering the cup with bexaggerated /benthusiasm. “Mom, you’ve gotta btry /bbthis/b!” bshe /bbsaid/b.

    Vivian bshot /bher ba /blookb. /bb“/bbBeen /bbthere/b, bdone /bbthat /bbwhen /bbI /bbfirst /bbcame /bbto /bbHathnd/bb. /bbYou /bbcan /bbhave /bbit /bball /bbto /bbyoursell /b

    b08:13 /bFrib, /bb4 /bJul

    “Enjoy,” Vivian said with icy finality.

    Lisa let out ba /bdramatic wail.

    Maxine watched them and couldn’t help but smile. ‘If only I could always stay with them, I’d be truly happy,’ she ithought/i.