Christina turned and looked at the man. “What happened?”“Who are you to him?” The man studied Christina.“He’s my uncle,” Christina answered.“He hit my car just now. Look at the state of the front of my car. You should compensate accordingly.”“Christina…” Francis was immensely regretful. This branded car had to be sent out of the country for repair, so the cost would be enormous. People from middle-class households like them would not be able to afford it.“Uncle, don’t fret. I have an idea.” Even though Christina had led an opulent lifestyle since getting married to Michael, she still did not know much about cars. She pointed at the car and asked, “I’ll help you fix it. How much will that be?”“You’ll fix it?” The man acted as if he had just been told a joke. “You can’t repair this car in the country. I’ll have to send it overseas.”Christina finally realized the gravity of the situation. It seemed like she would need to spend a large sum of money. “What do you want me to do
Once Matthew put his phone away, he spared the man standing before him a glance. “How brave you are. Don’t you know what ‘digging your own grave’ means?”The man’s aura was originally hostile, but his guilty conscience got to him when he realized that Matthew did not fear him at all and was staring down at him with a nefarious gaze. Then, he remembered that the woman had said earlier that she came from a penniless household and did not come from an influential background. Therefore, he gathered his courage and asked, “Who are you? Why do you want to meddle in this situation?”Matthew waved his hand dismissively. “There’s no need to panic. Aren’t you asking for money? Someone will get you the money you want very soon.”Not long after that, two police cars arrived at the scene. The first police officer to get out of the car walked toward them. “Mr. Henderson, what happened?”Matthew pointed at the man in front of him and said bluntly, “He’s a car thief who I just stumbled into. You
Christina blushed the second she heard his words that sounded so much like a confession. She tried to change the topic at once. “The housekeeper is innocent. He didn’t know that his nephew stole the car. Can you ask your friend not to fire him?”“You’re so stupid!” Matthew pressed a finger into her forehead. “Why did someone as bright as myself would have relations with a dumb woman like you? You never learn your lesson! Did you forget that he threatened you for money just now?”“That’s his nephew and has nothing to do with him. I just think it’ll be really sad if he gets fired too.”“Only a dumb woman like you would think he’s innocent. He’s committed numerous crimes in the past!” Matthew explained, “Harry spends a large part of the year in France and rarely ever comes back. His branded cars and luxurious villa in the country are all taken care of by the housekeeper. He has been renting the cars out and receiving rental fees in return. Not only that, he’s been up to some heinous st
Heather dwelled on the matter for a while and agreed to the idea after coming up with nothing. Travis had grown a lot. His clothes were getting shorter. Christina brought him to a mall to shop for a few sets of clothes since it was her day off. She was reminded of how old her uncle’s clothes were, so she went to the men’s section as well, ready to pick a few garments for Francis.She put Travis on the sofa and instructed him to sit there and rest. She went and picked some clothes for Francis. However, Francis was gone when she turned back after a round of selection.Dread gripped Christina’s heart. She threw the clothes down and ran out of the store. “Travis! Travis!” she shouted frantically.There was no Travis in sight. Christina looked everywhere for him. “Did you see my son?” She stopped a passerby in a frenzy and asked.He shook his head, and she continued her search.She still could not find him. Terror was written all over her face. Her voice was choked with sobs. “Travis
“I don’t want to wait here. I want to find my son!” Christina’s legs were shaking. Her greatest fear was coming true. What would she do if Travis was never found?That was her son! What should she do now that her cute, obedient, and thoughtful son was gone?Matthew sighed when he saw the state she was in. “Okay, you can come with me!”He held Christina up as they stumbled out of the security room. The mall’s security guards and staff had been mobilized. They were searching for Travis at every inch. Under the lead of a security guard, Matthew walked to the blind spot shown in the footage with an arm around Christina. They found a shirt at the blind spot where the man carrying Travis had disappeared into. Taking the shirt away, they found Travis laying right under the garment and sleeping soundly. Christina reached out and pulled Travis right into her arms. Tears gushed out of her eyes once again as the feeling of finally finding something she had lost overwhelmed her.Matthew exte
A raging fire was ignited in her heart. This was the first time she had ever shouted at someone without caring how she would seem to others. She screamed until her voice turned hoarse.Heather was very satisfied with her reaction. “Christina, if I find that you still have any relations with Michael, things won’t be resolved as easily as it did. I’ll make your son disappear forever!”“Try that, and I’ll kill you!”“Christina, try and put yourself in my shoes. We’re both parents, and you love your son just as I love mine. I hope my son won’t be entangled with you again in the future. Today’s lesson is a small one. Do you understand?”“I’ll sue you! You wicked woman!”“What evidence do you have?” Heather sneered. “Christina, you don’t stand a chance in a fight against me.”“I don’t believe you can just get away with everything you do!”“I indeed can’t get away with everything I do, but I’m content with just getting away with putting you down.” Heather chuckled darkly. “You can try
Christina was having mixed feelings as she laid in his warm and generous embrace. Although Matthew was a playboy and had many ex-girlfriends, she knew that he was a kind person. She thought, ‘Matthew Henderson, if you really like me, please don’t let me down! I’ll give you my heart from this day onward!’Michael was sitting in his car and staring intently at the car with smooth lines that was parked in front of him. The woman in the car was beaming as she talked animatedly to the man.Her smile triggered his senses. He had seen this man send her home a couple of times in the past, but she had never smiled as brightly as she did at the moment. What happened that made her so elated?“Christina, you look so beautiful when you smile. Remember to smile more in the future!” Matthew stared greedily at Christina’s tiny but alluring face. The old Christina was back. This was the woman he wanted. She was beautiful but not naive. Matthew’s heart erupted with joy when he thought about how he
Matthew pulled Christina firmly into his embrace as he finally pulled back from the kiss. “I don’t want to leave today!”Her cheeks blushed within seconds as she tapped him on the head playfully. “Don’t you dare treat me like all your other women!”“Listen to me!” He grabbed her hands as he stared into her eyes. “I don’t want to be away from you anymore, do you understand? Christina, let’s get married!”“Married?”“Yes! Let’s get married right away! Then you can move in with me and I can finally do the things I want to do to you!” He laughed evilly.“Naughty!” She glared at the man. Marriage was not a simple love affair and Matthew was not the only person who had a say in this. “I’ll think about it.”She was also giving him some time to consider this properly.He pressed a finger on her red lips. “Silly!” A strange feeling materialized in his heart, knowing that she still did not fully believe him. How could he make her trust him wholeheartedly?Reluctantly, Matthew left Christ
In fact, Matthew was the one who planned this entire thing. He had been keeping a close eye on Rachel since she returned.He could let bygones be bygones if she was willing to settle down. However, the woman did not learn from past mistakes and once again partnered up with Serena to plot against Christina.Matthew went along with their plan. He even found someone to set this up to lure them into the trap.Christina’s due date was approaching after Rachel and Serena were taken care of. Michael began making preparations for Travis’ transplant operation.He hired the best hematologist and gynecologist before arranging for both Christina and Travis’ operation to take place in the same hospital.The delivery went smoothly. Christina gave birth to a baby girl, and Heather was over the moon.Everything had gone well, and it was about time to start on Travis’ operation. Christina was accompanied by Matthew and Rachel whereas Heather stayed close by the baby’s side. Michael comforted Chri
Besides, even if the plan failed, intentionally causing a pregnant woman to miscarry was not considered homicide by the country’s criminal law. The punishment was less serious as the behavior would be categorized as an assault occasioning bodily harm.Assault and criminal homicide were two completely different crimes.Rachel agreed to the suggestion. Scarface was indeed a ruthless man. He came up with this vicious revenge that would put Christina in pain forever.Upon agreeing on the details of the plan, Scarface and his friends from the streets proceeded to kidnap Christina. Rachel and Serena were told to sit tight and wait for the good news.Scarface had a well-thought-out plan and got his hands on Christina before long. Her head was covered with a black cloth as they forcefully pushed her into the van.Serena and Rachel were already at the agreed-upon location when Scarface instructed Christina to step out of the vehicle. The latter’s belly was round, and both of her hands were
Serena lost everything. She had no choice but to work as a bargirl to survive.Scarface was the person in charge of the bar she worked at. The ruthless man had pretty much slept with every woman who worked at his place. Naturally, Serena could not escape from that fate either.Serena was different from other bargirls. She came from a prestigious family and was highly educated. Even in dire straits, she still maintained a certain grace that made her stand out from the crowd.Scarface spotted her on her first day at the bar. He ordered his men to drag her into the private room and tortured her the entire night.She resisted in the beginning. However, without anyone to depend on, she had no choice but to give into Scarface’s tyrannical abuse.Several times later, he found himself attracted to her. Every night, he would ask for her instead of other women.Serena, who could not escape from him, gave in eventually. She even ended up becoming his lover.By doing so, she found someone t
“Just a little while ago.” Sean came closer. “Christina, we need to talk.”She nodded and followed him to the garden. He helped her to get comfortable on the bench. “Do you believe in fate?”She shook her head, unsure where this was leading. “I didn’t either as I’m a firm believer that hard work always pays off. But now I do.”He looked her in the eye. “I’ve been lost and struggled a lot since that incident, unsure how to face you. After considering this seriously for the past few days, I’ve finally mustered enough courage to meet you again.”A sigh escaped her lips. “Sorry, Sean. It’s all my fault.”“No! It has nothing to do with you, Christina. It’s my fault that my love is not strong enough. I discovered that Suzy is really great after spending the past few months with her. She’s just like you. She’s gentle, kind, pure, and adorable. I realized I’ve fallen in love with her.”This was not what he really thought.He loved Christina since the beginning of time and believed he
“That’s old history. We think Michael is actually pretty good.”“We? Who do you mean?” Christina teased.Ariel and Matthew had been spending a lot of time together lately. Christina went through that herself and understood the passion in her friend’s eyes. This silly girl was actually in love. She could not be happier for her.“Who else? Matthew, of course!” Ariel glared at Christina.“I say whatever’s on my mind, unlike you, who always keep everything to yourself and get stuck in dilemmas. Every good opportunity slips past you because of your indecisiveness!” “How can I not be? I promised to marry him but I’m now trying to convince him to marry someone else. Is this really the best thing for him? Will he be happy?”Ariel questioned after a brief silence, “Christina, let me ask you this. Who do you care for more? Michael or Sean?”Christina asked herself the same question too. She naturally cared more about Michael in the past, but she also started to develop a strong feeling f
The following morning, Serena hurried to the police station to file a report.The police treated this with high importance and warned her to be careful of Darren Cain as he was a vicious gang member who had served over a decade in prison.She became more frightened after hearing that. Immediately, she moved out of that house and rented a place somewhere quiet. As she was terrified, she stayed indoors for the next few days.Much of Christina’s stress was relieved without having to deal with Serena’s pestering.“Christina, John was at the last stage of cancer. It was lucky enough that he lasted until he did. This is his fate, so try not to get too upset.” Francis comforted the dispirited woman. It did not make any difference even though he was not the real Francis. He had long adapted to the identity after assuming it for so many years. Most importantly, Christina was still willing to treat him like a real uncle even after finding out the truth.“Don’t worry, Uncle, I’m fine.”
The harassment continued after the funeral. Serena went around spreading accusations and threatened Christina to give her money. Otherwise, she would report John to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for private corruption.If reported, the antique art collection would be seized and no one could get it!Christina became more frustrated after hearing that.She never expected John’s leniency toward Serena would cause her such a big problem. Matthew was infuriated by Serena’s unreasonable behavior. He suggested they could shut the woman up by teaching her a lesson. Sean shook his head. “That’s not going to solve the problem. Serena must’ve come prepared if she dares to stir up trouble. This is a lawful society. We can’t do as we wish.”“Are we actually going to pay her off then?” Ariel asked, “I think giving her money isn’t going to put an end to this. She’s certainly going to keep threatening for more!”Michael scoffed. “Why should we give her money? She can go
“I will, Dad, don’t worry. I’ll listen to Sister,” Suzy replied.“Christina.” John grabbed Christina’s hand in his own. “My greatest regret in this life is failing to take good care of you and your mother. I’m going to meet your mother soon. I hope she’ll forgive me!”Tears rolled down Christina’s cheeks. Men would speak kindly in the presence of death. She was unsure if Molly would forgive him, but she had long forgiven her father.He strained to pull Suzy and Christina’s hands closer together as he looked at them with pleading eyes. “The both of you must live peacefully together. Suzy, listen to your sister, and Christina, you must take good care of her on my behalf.”Christina looked at Suzy before nodding quietly. Then, John shifted his glance to Michael.“I’ve done many wrongs in this life. I betrayed my wife and disappointed my daughter. I hope you’ll do better than me. I’ll hand over Christina to you now. I’ll come back to haunt you as a stubborn ghost if you dare to wr
Suzy felt guilt-ridden and knew she was not in the position to demand anything from Christina. However, her mother had gone mad. She did not wish to see Christina continuing the fight with her mother.At a loss for what to do, she cried her heart out while in Christina’s arms.Sean felt a heavy feeling in his chest. He knew Christina too well after all the years they spent together. She was a soft-hearted person behind her stubborn facade. Seeing others in sorrow was her greatest weakness.There was no doubt she would choose to forgive Suzy and accept her as her sister.If that was the case, then the marriage between them was destined to fail. Christina would reject him for the sake of the child in her sister’s belly.At this moment, he was thinking of how everything was falling apart at this moment even after he had consistently pursued her all these years. He stood there in a daze for a long time before finally heaving a sigh.Perhaps this was their destiny. Suzy cried for a