"Call for Help from Afar" is a story with fantasy and magical realism. An ordinary high school girl has nightmares every day, hearing cries for help in her dreams... There are only two Chapters ahead. It’s evident that the drawing skills are average. The art style is barely passable, and the paneling is definitely novice. But the story is intriguing; the opening lays the groundwork well. Just from the beginning, there’s an urge to keep reading. It’s not stunning, but it’s decent enough. "Miss, what do you think?" After Sophie Scott finished the last page, Lisa hesitantly asked. Handing the comic back to Lisa, Sophie showed no extra emotion and said, "You can take it back. It’s not mine." Lisa nodded, picked up the tray, and hid the comic behind it. The bedroom door closed, and Sophie, standing quietly, suddenly took a half step forward and let out a low laugh. The smile was chilling. And with such beginner-level skills, she still had the nerve to say her "performance was okay," and rate her work as "just average"?! She really thought Nora Scott had some extraordinary talent! Turns out, she’s just an overconfident, incapable loudmouth! Skipping dinner, Sophie found her phone by the computer, first logging into the comic app and searching for "Call for Help from Afar" but found nothing. After thinking for a moment, she opened WeChat. [Sophie Scott]: Molly, are you there? [Editor Molly]: Yes, yes, yes, what’s up? Despite being off work, Molly still replied instantly. [Sophie Scott]: Is there a submission to CC Comics recently called "Call for Help from Afar"? [Editor Molly]: Yes, there is. I’m actually in charge of it. How did you know? [Sophie Scott]: Has it been signed yet? [Editor Molly]: Not yet. We’re considering it. Though the art style and paneling are a bit poor, the story is good. Why, do you know the author? [Sophie Scott]: Yeah. I just found out the author is Nora Scott. [Editor Molly]: [Shocked]×10 [Editor Molly]: Let me process this. [Editor Molly]: The author who calls me "sister" with every sentence and relies on emojis to chat is Nora Scott?! A stream of messages popped up, and Sophie saw them, recalling Nora’s chat style, and suddenly got goosebumps. A few minutes later, Molly sent over some chat screenshots, all soft and cute in style. For those who didn’t know, they would really think it was a cute girl. Her acting is terrible in front of the camera, but behind the scenes, she turns out to be quite skilled. No wonder she was hiding it, afraid that if she confessed to Molly, she couldn’t act cute anymore! [Editor Molly]: Now, whenever I think of Nora Scott, I can’t talk to the fans. [Editor Molly]: So disgusting. [Editor Molly]: Typical two-faced, too good at pretending. [Editor Molly]: She probably didn’t know I was the editor at the time. Molly’s reaction gave Sophie confidence, so she didn’t clarify more. At the comic convention, Molly got into a spat with Nora Scott and even specifically said— "Don’t be too arrogant! I’m waiting for your work to go live on our platform!" Molly isn’t a person without a temper. This little shoe was definitely going to fit Nora. She won’t even be able to get into the comic platform. Let’s see how she dares to boast then! The temperature dropped sharply at night, and upon waking, the entire city was wrapped in a silver hue, covered with a thick layer of snow. In the classroom, the sound of morning reading rose and fell, chaotic like a hot pot of porridge. However, the person at the front desk was lying on the table, seemingly cut off from the world, sleeping very peacefully. Oliver Scott, internally conflicted, stared at that tousled and messy head for five minutes, then picked up his pen and poked forward. Marcus Shaw moved his arm, lifted his head slightly, two seconds later, turned back with a face full of annoyance and frustration, shooting Oliver a cold glance. He sat up, leaned back, closed his eyes, and spoke in a lazy, drowsy voice. "Were you out stealing last night?" With a lift of his right eyelid, a side glance, Marcus asked, "Did I steal something from your house?" "..." Oliver was silent for a moment, then said, "Haven’t you realized that the way you talk is becoming more like your sister?" Marcus frowned, warningly staring at him: "Mention her one more time?" It’s unclear what’s gotten into Oliver. Ever since he returned to school this week, he’s been persistently urging to re-add him as a friend. Then he’s been seeking him out more frequently, and would occasionally bring up Nora Scott. Claiming not to have any interest in Nora, yet his actions say otherwise. Oliver asked, "I heard you moved?" "How’s life in the alley?" "Never stayed there." Marcus Shaw narrowed his eyes, turned his head, and gave him a wary glance. Oliver Scott was utterly convinced and explained resignedly, "Just curious." Indeed, he was curious. He had never stayed in a hutong either. However, he was more curious about whether Nora Scott would always live there and never return to the Scott family. During this period, he had thought carefully that when Nora first returned, they had immediately labeled her as "disruptive to family harmony." But, after overhearing Ernesto Scott on the phone, Oliver realized it might not be the case at all... He had never seen such a vibrant Ernesto Scott. In the past decade or so, his impression of Ernesto was always of someone restrained, calm, and serious. As the head of the family, his emotions never showed on his face. He was like a utilitarian father to them, showing just enough care with no excessive emotions. It wasn’t until he overheard the call that he was shocked to discover Ernesto was no different from other fathers. He wanted to have a good relationship with his children, went to great lengths to spend more time with them, and tried various ways to make them happy... However, such intense paternal love was never directed at him or Sophie Scott, so they didn’t know it. From another perspective, could it be understood that, in Ernesto’s mind, he, Sophie, and Alma Ferreira were the ones disrupting his family harmony? Thinking this way, Oliver felt a bit angry, a bit resentful, but he clearly understood not to direct these emotions toward Nora. "Then continue being curious." Marcus casually threw out a remark. He leaned forward, planning to snooze a bit more. At that moment, awakened from his thoughts, Oliver suddenly reached out, grabbing Marcus’s collar and pulling him back. With his neck yanked, Marcus leaned back, his eyes coolly staring over. Aware, Oliver released his grip and squeezed out a small smile at him. Marcus frowned threateningly, "Looking for trouble?" "Have you caught up with your progress? I have some free time over the weekend. If you have any questions, you can find me." Oliver offered, resuming his position as the team leader, expressing friendliness. "Next week’s the final." "I never review before exams." A glance was cast his way, and after a moment, Marcus sat back down without voicing any objection. If there’s no refusal, there’s an opportunity. Seeing this, Oliver breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly feeling refreshed. The whole day, the weather was gloomy. At some point, fine snowflakes began to drift outside. Nora emerged from the bedroom, glanced outside through the living room window, seeing a new, shallow layer of snow covering the road that had been cleared of snow. Antonio Easton’s inquiry came from the next bedroom. Nora casually replied, "Almost." After two seconds of silence in the bedroom, Antonio’s voice sounded again, "It’s snowing, the road’s not easy to walk." Nora’s mouth twitched slightly. Were the roles reversed? Her gaze fell back onto the courtyard. The snowflakes outside grew larger. Not knowing what came to mind, she lazily responded, then returned to the bedroom. Three minutes later, donning a thick coat, Nora wrapped a scarf around her neck multiple times, pushed open the door, and stepped into the courtyard. The wind carried the snowflakes onto her face, cold and brisk. Nora exhaled the chilly air, pulling the scarf up to cover her chin and lips. She fished out her phone and made a call to Pedro Langley. After two rings, the call connected. Nora began, "Where are you?" "Just entered the hutong entrance. The car can’t come in." Pedro’s voice, accompanied by the howling cold wind, swept into the earpiece, whistling into her ears. Treading on the thin snow, there was a slight squeaking sound. Nora walked outwards. Hearing the apparent surprise that halted on the other end for a moment, she added, "A task from Easton." Pedro chuckled helplessly, "Can’t refrain from clarifying?" "Afraid you’d misunderstand." Without waiting for Pedro’s reply, she coolly added, "Hanging up." It was too cold. She had rushed out without gloves, and holding the phone for just a bit made her fingers painfully numb. This content belongs to novelFɪre.net After hanging up, Nora shoved the phone back into her pocket. As the prickling cold pierced her hand, it triggered certain unpleasant memories, and a trace of coldness flashed in her eyes.