“Matthew, you’ve already grown up. You need to make your own judgments. You can’t get easily swayed by other people’s opinions. Even though I’ve imposed many restrictions on you, I still hope you still have some room for growth. Apart from that, your mother had it rough. Treat her well.” Matthew stood in the corridor alone as he looked at his mother crying through a glass window. Rachel was sitting beside her bed while combing his mother’s hair. She was whispering something to his mother. As far as he could remember, Matthew had never seen his mother cry. Even when she was ridiculed by the other aunties, his mother kept on being a strong person. His mother did not act like a rich lady even though she was married into a prestigious family. She had even volunteered at an orphanage. Apart from that, she was all smiles when she talked to the servants. How could a mother like her kill Molly? Matthew started to believe that Molly’s death was an accident. He only blamed his mother as
Christina understood Old Madam Young perfectly. The memory of their meeting in the coffee shop many years ago was still fresh in her mind. “Old Madam, don’t worry. I’ll never forget the words you told me. I’m not planning to overstep my bounds.” A look of embarrassment flashed across Old Madam’s face upon hearing the reply. Back then, she had been rude and said some unpleasant things. She sipped on her coffee to mask the awkwardness.“I heard about your son’s condition. The bright and adorable kid is so young. It’s such a shame.”“Indeed, life is unfair!” she replied calmly. Her gaze remained as still as water.“Christina, I need a favor.” Old Madam Young stopped beating around the bush. “Can you leave Sean? I’m happy to provide you other means of assistance for your son’s medical treatment as long as you stop being in Sean’s life.”Christina knew that was the motivation behind this meeting. In the past, she would have agreed to leave Sean without a doubt. However, Travis’ treatm
“Old Madam Young, honestly, I don’t dislike Sean, but I’ve suppressed those emotions because I know I’m not good enough for him. This is also why I left him after you came to speak with me. I didn’t choose him then when I didn’t have any baggage and I won’t burden him now after having gone through life’s vicissitudes. I’ll convince him to find his other half.”Christina heaved a sigh. “As for your request for me to stay out of his life, I can tell you right now that that’s not going to happen…”Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly noticed the terror in the old woman’s eyes.Christina appeared baffled. It was only until then that she realized the coffee shop was eerily quiet. She looked over her shoulder to find several armed people in the shop who wore masks that covered their faces.All color drained from her face as she was reminded of the announcement issued by the Foreign Affairs ministry back home not long ago. Apparently, the United States had been suffering from ho
“Go away!” The robber pushed Christina aside and aimed the gun at her head. She persisted and crawled forward to shield Old Madam Young. “Money is what you’re after right? Take me as your hostage but let my grandmother go!”“She’s your grandmother?” The robber appeared suspicious.“Yes! I’m her granddaughter, Rachel Young! My grandmother is old and can’t be put through shock. If money is all you’re after, then it makes no difference to take me as your hostage. Let my grandmother go and she’ll get you the money!” The robber knew the existence of a beautiful young lady in the Young family. After a brief consideration, it was indeed wiser to kidnap the younger woman. Things could get serious if something bad happened to the old woman under their watch.They brought Christina away. Old Madam Young was to have one billion US dollars ready while waiting to hear from them again. The police arrived soon after the robbers left. A city-wide search was initiated after learning about the
However, this was risky as the commotion might alert the kidnappers. Besides, a slip of the foot could result in a great fall.The situation did not allow Christina the privilege to overanalyze. Her life would be at risk in case the Young family refused to pay the increased demand of ransom. She would have to try no matter what.She observed the surrounding area before returning to the room. After waiting in silence for two hours, the kidnapper called the Young family again to settle on the ransom amount and location of the transaction.Two kidnappers left with their guns but without bringing Christina along. Her heart sank upon realizing the kidnappers had a change of mind. They were ready to demand more after the Young family paid the first ransom.There were two fewer kidnappers now at the scene. She requested to use the washroom once more. One of them brought her to the room without suspicion.This time, without hesitation, Christina locked the door and climbed to the window.
“Well, I’d just be sitting around at home anyway,” Rachel replied softly as she sat next to the bed and began peeling fruits for Madam Henderson. Matthew, who returned after smoking a cigarette, appeared to be deep in thought when he discovered his mother enjoying the woman’s company.Rachel walked over to nudge the man who was zoning out by the door. “What are you doing here? Go in!”Matthew was brought back to reality. “I have something to ask you.”“Is it about Aunty? Don’t worry, she’s emotionally stable—”“No, it’s about you and me.” Matthew stared at her pretty face. “Rachel, do you really want to marry me so badly?”She stared back with confusion. “Do you want to marry me despite knowing that I don’t love you?” He persisted.The woman nodded. “Matthew, I want to marry you. I still do even if you don’t love me!”“Think carefully, because I’ll never love you, not in a million years. Our marriage will only be for appearance. I’ll go on spending my nights with different women
Old Madam Young was concerned about Christina, and her attitude toward the latter changed. She went to personally visit her at the hospital and even exhorted the doctor to take good care of Christina.Rachel was leaping up and down with joy in the living room by the time Old Madam Young returned. She hurried forward upon seeing the old woman. “Grandma, I have good news!”Old Madam Young did not appear gentle as usual. “Come with me,” she said coldly.Once they were in the study, she slapped Rachel across the face. “Tell me, was it you who secretly informed the police?”The happiness in Rachel’s heart vanished instantly, and her voice was full of grievances. “Grandma, I…” She wanted to deny it, but the words were stuck in her throat under Old Madam Young’s stern stare. She lowered her gaze to the ground.Old Madam Young’s face fell. “You’re refusing to tell the truth? Alright then, you know what will happen once I look into this myself!”Rachel gave in. “Grandma, I only called the
Old Madam Young left not long after checking on Christina. She reminded Sean when he saw her out. “You can’t be here every day. Don’t forget you still have a business to run. I’ll let the servants at home take care of Christina.”“Don’t worry, I can take care of her. I won’t neglect work.”“But you can’t be at the hospital all the time or people would gossip.”“Grandma, she’s my friend and she wouldn’t have gotten injured if not to save you. I have to look after her at the hospital.” Old Madam Young understood the hidden meaning behind her grandson’s words. He deliberately mentioned she was the cause of Christina’s injury to have the last word.If he thought of using this against her so he could be with Christina, then… Old Madam Young returned home with a load on her mind.She had encountered numerous obstacles in her long life but never once was she in such a dilemma.In actuality, she did not dislike Christina. Back then, she stopped the young couple from being together beca