Chapter 477: Ruined the Birthday Speech (Part 1)

Chapter 477: Chapter 477: Ruined the Birthday Speech (Part 1)

"Zion, you have to help me! They’re all bullying me!" The moment Shelby Fenton saw Zion Hale, she fluttered into his arms like a butterfly. Her voice was tinged with tears, and she sounded incredibly wronged. Anyone who didn’t know better would have thought they had done something utterly atrocious to her! So many people, all bullying one little girl... Everyone was left speechless. They were all getting a firsthand look at Shelby Fenton’s talent for lying!

"Uh... Shelby, you’re usually the one bullying others. How could anyone possibly bully you?" Zion Hale maintained his sunny disposition, but he kept his distance from Shelby Fenton!

He hadn’t seen Shelby Fenton in a long time, either. Their last meeting seemed to have been two years ago. Back then, he had only ever hung out with her as a kid. As for any deep feelings, there really wasn’t anything special between them. Their relationship was just a bit better than that of mere acquaintances, and only a little. It was far from the level of family, especially since Jacinta Hale’s relationship with her father was rather strained.

But Shelby Fenton didn’t seem to notice his avoidance. She had no one else to rely on and could only cling to Zion as her "big brother." Ignoring his reaction, she continued to complain, "It was this young miss of the Sterling Family. She came over without identifying herself, and none of us knew who she was, so we said a few things to her. And now she’s demanding that I apologize!"

The moment Zion Hale heard it was the young miss of the Sterling Family, he immediately pulled his arm out of Shelby Fenton’s grasp and walked over to Seraphina Sterling’s side. Shelby, thinking Zion was about to stand up for her, instantly brightened and shot Seraphina a smug look. However, she didn’t get to feel smug for long before her expression froze.

"Seraphina, it’s my fault. As your big brother, I can’t believe I let you get bullied on my turf! I apologize. On my recent trip, I came across some very rare seashells—legendary purple ones—and I brought them back especially for you. I wanted them to be a gift to make you happy, but given the situation... happiness seems unlikely. I just hope you aren’t angry!"

As he spoke, Zion Hale took out a small, exquisite box. Inside, nestled on a layer of finely shredded paper, lay two delicate purple seashells. They rested quietly, snuggled tightly together like a pair of inseparable lovers.

Seraphina Sterling’s vision blurred as a voice echoed in her mind. ’I heard that if two people each possess one of a pair of purple seashells, they are destined to be together and happy in their next life.’ Back then, she had already been married to Justin Hale, so she hadn’t accepted the seashells. ’Now, this pair is just a simple gift, with no special meaning attached,’ she wondered. ’Can I accept it?’

A single, glistening teardrop fell onto the pale purple surface. The smile on Zion Hale’s lips instantly froze, a flicker of anxiety in his eyes. "You don’t like it? It’s okay. Next time I go on a trip, I’ll bring you a different gift!"

Seraphina Sterling felt she had overreacted. She lifted her head, revealing a radiant smile. Glistening teardrops clung to her long, curled lashes, a breathtakingly beautiful sight, yet one tinged with a hint of sorrow. "No, it’s not that. I’ve just never seen seashells of such a unique color before. I was moved by them, that’s all!"

"That’s not right. If you’re going to be moved, you should be moved by my sincerity in bringing them all this way for you. Why are you getting emotional over two little shells?" Seeing Seraphina’s smile, Zion Hale relaxed. He had never seen her cry before!

"Hah, don’t get your hopes up. You’re the big brother; it’s practically your duty to bring your little sister a gift from your travels! Now, if you were to admit that *I’m* the older one, then maybe I’d be a little moved!" Seraphina Sterling blinked playfully, tucking away the complex emotions in her heart. ’Things are already starting to change,’ she thought. ’I won’t let Zion walk the same path he did in his last life!’