Unmasking Mrs. Newton's Secret Identities novel Chapter 1738

Howard wiped the sweat from his forehead, shooting a glare at Jeremiah. Was he trying to get him killed?

Before long, he reached the desk. Just as he was about to pull out his chair and sit down, Lincoln suddenly turned to face him, their eyes locking.

Howard forced a nervous chuckle. "Sorry, Lincoln. I was just playing with Nana for a bit before coming in. I only had one piece of cake—just one! I didn't overdo it!"

Lincoln looked at him calmly, his gaze profound. At first glance, he resembled a tiny adult.

Feeling the tension rise, Howard's palms began to sweat, and he nervously averted his gaze. After a long, heavy pause, Lincoln's youthful but firm voice cut through the silence. "Howard, look at me."

Howard swallowed hard, gathering his courage to meet Lincoln's steady gaze. His hands hung anxiously at his sides, trembling slightly.

From the moment they met, Lincoln had always exuded a commanding presence. Despite being the same age, he had a knack for making Howard feel small and vulnerable whenever he adopted a serious demeanor.

"True friends are those who share the same goals and passions. We need common interests before we can truly support each other and keep pushing forward. I don't like to just go with the flow.

"I expect myself to do my best, and I hold those around me to the same standard. That way, our time together won't feel like a burden.

"Being my friend means each day will be a bit more challenging than the last. If that scares you, it's okay to walk away now. We can still be friends, but I won't pressure you into anything you don't enjoy."

Lincoln fell silent, calmly awaiting Howard's response.

Howard scratched his head, thinking for a moment before suggesting, "Could we perhaps introduce tasks gradually, with longer breaks in between each week?"

…

Georgia led Carl and Anna into an impressive Encerian-style venue.

The spacious hall was tastefully arranged. As they took their seats, professional models began an impromptu fashion show featuring garments curated by Georgia from top designers.

Each outfit served as a stunning representation of the latest creations, showcasing a vibrant clash of ideas from a variety of leading designers.

Despite the stunning display, Carl and Anna seemed less than impressed. As the final model wrapped up her walk, Anna's expression clearly conveyed her disappointment.

When the music finally came to a stop, Carl stood up, relief evident on his face. "Alright, that's it, right? Can we leave now?"