Chapter 590

Celine nodded, her eyes darting between them. "Can someone explain how Zoe ended up with a cold and a fever?"

Claire's face immediately showed guilt. She bit her lower lip. "It's actually my fault. Zoe stayed up late drinking with me last night. Maybe the sea breeze got to her."

"Drinking?" Celine's voice rose a bit, then she quickly lowered it, realizing she might wake Zoey. "Since when did you two start drinking together?"

In Celine's memory, Zoey wasn't much of a drinker.

Claire and Joseph exchanged a glance.

Joseph cleared his throat and explained to Celine, "Last night, Claire signed a contract severing ties with her father. She wasn't in a good mood."

Hearing that Claire had cut ties with Finnegan, Celine's eyes widened. "What? Severed ties?"

She looked at Claire in disbelief. "You and your dad? What happened? What did he do?"

Claire took a deep breath and pulled Celine to sit on the couch.

Her fingers twisted together unconsciously. "My dad asked Joseph for a two hundred million dollars dowry."

"Two hundred million dollars?" Celine gasped. "Is he out of his mind?"

Even though Joseph came from a prestigious family in the pharmaceutical industry and could afford it, no normal father would ask for such an amount. Finnegan clearly didn't see Claire as his daughter.

"I think so too." Claire gave a bitter smile. "So I paid a million dollars to sever our father-daughter relationship."

Celine was silent for a moment, then suddenly patted Claire's shoulder. "Good job. A father like that isn't worth having."

Just as the atmosphere grew heavy, the bedroom door gently opened.

Zoey, wearing a light-colored nightgown, stood by the doorframe. She still looked a bit pale, but her eyes had regained their sparkle.

"Celine?" Her voice was husky from sleep. "When did you get back?"

Celine immediately stood up and quickly walked over to Zoey, reaching out to feel her forehead. "I just got back and heard you were sick. How are you feeling? Still uncomfortable?"

Zoey shook her head and gave Celine a reassuring smile. "Much better, just a bit hungry."

As soon as she finished speaking, two excited voices came from the bedroom. "Celine!"

"Celine's back!"

Two small figures rushed out, hugging Celine's legs from either side.

Gabriel and Travis looked up with bright eyes. "Celine, we missed you so much!"

"Did you bring us any gifts?"

Celine laughed, bending down to kiss each of their cheeks. "Of course I missed you! I brought you some toys from the night market, glowing submarines!"

Gabriel and Travis gasped in unison, immediately letting go of Celine's legs and grabbing her hands. "We want to see them now!"

"We want to play now!"

Zoey watched the kids' excitement and shook her head helplessly. "Let Celine rest for a bit first."

Henry chimed in at the right moment. "How about we all have dinner together? I'll call room service."

He looked at Zoey. "You should eat something too."

Everyone agreed.

While Henry called to order dinner, Celine took the gifts out of her shopping bag—two intricate toy submarines that glowed blue and moved in water.

Gabriel and Travis were instantly captivated, playing enthusiastically on the carpet.

"You do look a lot better." Celine sat back down next to Zoey, studying her face. "Did you drink a lot last night?"

Zoey smiled sheepishly. "Not too much, just got a bit chilled."

"She did it for me," Claire added guiltily. "I was really upset at the time..."

"Let's not talk about it anymore," Zoey interrupted Claire. "The whole severing ties thing is over. Your life will be better from now on."

Joseph squeezed Claire's hand, and they shared a smile.

Celine watched them and suddenly felt sentimental. "Sometimes, family can hurt the most."

Dinner arrived quickly, and Henry directed the waitstaff to set up the table on the terrace.

The night sky over Marigoldia was dotted with stars, and the gentle sound of the waves provided a natural soundtrack for their meal.

"Zoe, this is for you." Henry handed Zoey a bowl of light chicken porridge and a sandwich. "Joseph said you should eat something mild for the next couple of days."

Zoey took the bowl, protesting softly. "I'm not that fragile..."

"But you are a patient," Henry said firmly, adjusting the shawl on Zoey's shoulders.

Celine couldn't help but tease, "So thoughtful. Makes me want to find a boyfriend."

"Shame on you, Celine!" Gabriel suddenly chimed in, making everyone burst into laughter.

Travis wasn't to be outdone, waving his spoon. "Find a boyfriend! Find a boyfriend!"

Dinner continued with laughter and joy.

Gabriel and Travis's innocent chatter was the best seasoning. They recounted their beach "adventures," how they found a hermit crab, and how they almost got their pants wet by the waves.

The adults were amused, even the usually serious Joseph couldn't help but laugh.

Zoey shook her head, smiling, "You two are such chatterboxes."

"Like Mom!" Gabriel retorted cleverly.

"No, like Dad!" Travis disagreed.

Henry raised an eyebrow. "Do I talk a lot?"

"Don't you?" Zoey countered playfully. "Who's the one who insists on telling the kids a half-hour story before bed?"

Another round of laughter ensued.

The night breeze, carrying the ocean's unique freshness, dispelled the day's lingering heat.

Celine looked at the scene before her and felt an overwhelming sense of peace.

Despite the shadow of Claire severing ties with Finnegan and Zoey's brief illness, at this moment, in this secluded vacation paradise, everything seemed perfect.

After dinner, the nanny came to take Gabriel and Travis for their bath and bedtime.

Gabriel and Travis reluctantly said their goodbyes, especially to Celine, repeatedly confirming they would see her and the big submarines first thing in the morning.

"Kids have so much energy," Celine remarked, watching them leave.

"And they're so healing," Claire added softly, a hint of envy in her eyes.

Joseph seemed to sense Claire's emotions and quietly squeezed her hand.

Zoey stifled a small yawn, which Henry immediately noticed. "Are you tired? Want to go back to your room to rest?"

"Let's sit a bit longer," Zoey shook her head. "It's rare for Celine to be back, and for all of us to be together."

Celine raised her glass of juice. "To our friendship, Zoe can toast with water."

The glasses clinked softly under the starlight, making a crisp sound.

In the distance, the waves gently lapped at the shore, like nature's harmony for this moment.