Zoey grabbed Dahlia's wrist and said coldly, "I will not make any statement, and I will not accept any betrothal gift. You're disappointed in me, and I am equally disappointed in you! I will leave the Harmon family tonight!"
She let go of Dahlia's hand and went straight up the stairs. Dahlia stumbled as she was pushed away, wanting to go after and ask, but she was pulled back by Matteo. He sternly said, "Treating your daughter as an object, do you even deserve to be a mother? Don't bother Zoey!" Dahlia hummed and stomped up the stairs, while Jordan flicked his cigarette butt and followed suit. Ariana timidly glanced at Matteo and got up to leave. Coming back from abroad, Zoey didn't bring much with her, and she didn't acquire any new items in the past half month either. Therefore, when she returned, she still had the same silver suitcase as when she left. The door was unlocked, Ariana walked up to Zoey, and she fiddled with her hands in front of her. "Zoey, are you really leaving? I truly know I was wrong, can you forgive me?" Zoey raised an eyebrow, "What do you think?" "Zoey, let’s not let a man come between us, okay? Aren’t we sisters?” Sisters? At first, Ariana treated her badly, often making up stories that Zoey bullied her and even cutting up some toys and clothes, falsely accusing Zoey of doing it. It can be imagined that Zoey received a beating, while Ariana was hiding and laughing on the side. Until when did Ariana treat her well? After starting middle school, Zoey always ranked first, so Ariana would try to please her and ask her for tutoring. Zoey didn't hold a grudge against Ariana for her past actions, she just saw it as childish pranks. Unable to find the love of a father and mother, she naturally longed for sisterly love. Later, their relationship became really good, all the way until she passed away. Zoey only realized then that Ariana had been kind to her with a purpose. The so-called “sisterhood” was simply a trade, with Zoey’s talent as the price. Demons are demons after all, even if they disguise themselves as angels, they still possess a demon's heart. Zoey gave her a meaningful look and walked towards the door, carrying her suitcase. Ariana ran over and grabbed her arm, looking pitifully at her. "Zoey, my concert is tomorrow night. If you don't support me, what am I going to do? I'm begging you, please help me one more time, okay?" Zoey let out a sigh, "Well, I'll help you this time. But from now on, you'll have to walk your own path." "Thank you, Zoey. Thank you." Ariana watched as Zoey walked out the door, a sinister and evil smile forming at the corner of her mouth. She knew that as long as she shed a few tears, this fool would soften. First time leads to a second. Zoey would be at her beck and call for the rest of her life. Zoey walked towards the stairs, a smile playing at the corner of her lips. Ariana, your retribution has just begun! When Zoey went downstairs, only Matteo was there. She approached and hugged the old man, "Grandpa, when the time is right, I will take you away from here." Matteo patted her back and asked, "Are you really willing to marry Russell?" Zoey let go of him and nodded solemnly, "Grandfather, I am willing to marry Russell, it was not a momentary impulse." Matteo's eyes turned red. "If this kid bullies you, you tell grandpa, and grandpa will break his legs." After saying that, he furrowed his brows and said, “Though he can’t walk anyway.” Zoey burst into laughter, "You wouldn't have seen this situation, he would have been good to me." Matteo gave Zoey some more instructions before she left the Harmon family. She told her grandfather that Russell would come to pick her up, but in fact, she didn't contact him. She just wanted to take a walk alone along the street. Meanwhile, at the Maddox family's old mansion. Nelson stood in front of the Maddox family. Alonso hummed, "You really disgraced the Maddox family today!" Nelson lowered his head and said, "Grandpa, I was wrong. I know I made the Maddox family lose face today, but it's not entirely my fault. If Russell hadn't agreed with Zoey, Zoey would still have chosen me." After speaking, he stole a glance at Russell. Russell chuckled softly, “If a cake is revealed to be garbage, only a fool would still want to eat it.” Russell raised an eyebrow. “People will only say that Nelson was two-timing.” Livia Rogers was choked and unable to speak. She looked at her own son kneeling on the ground, feeling heartbroken. “Let’s put this behind us—Nelson understands his mistake, just let him get up." Russell glanced up coolly. “Since he disgraced the family, he’ll be disciplined according to the family rules.” He looked at the butler and said, "Go to the study and fetch the family rules." The butler nodded and walked quickly towards the study. Livia looked anxiously at the two elderly people and said, "Dad, Mom, everything has already passed, so please don't enforce family discipline. Nelson knows he was wrong!" Alonso was firm in his attitude, "There are laws for the country, and rules for the family. Once the rules are established, they must be followed." Livia turned pleadingly to Braylen Maddox and Aubrie Bender, the second son and daughter-in-law of the family, but they looked away, pretended not to see. Soon, the butler came carrying a rectangular box. Russell said in a low voice, "According to the twenty-one family rules, those who betray and abandon their trust shall be punished with ten strokes; according to the thirty-two rules, those who disgrace the Maddox family shall be punished with twenty rolls. A total of thirty strokes. Felix, begin." Felix opened the box and took out a black wooden stick, which felt like iron in texture. He held it with both hands, standing behind Nelson. "Master, I apologize for the offense." The wooden stick struck Nelson's back hard, and he clenched his teeth but still cried out in pain. After receiving thirty lashes, Nelson knelt on the ground, trembling all over, with cold sweat on his forehead. He looked up at Russell, desperation in his eyes. “Uncle, you’ve punished me. Now, can you give me back Zoey?” The arc of Russell's lips was filled with extreme contempt, and his voice was indifferent and distant. "I said, you should call her Auntie." He raised his hand slightly, and Troy pushed him towards the door. Nelson was unwilling to let go of Zoey, who was his proudest pawn. "Russell, Zoey is just mad at me, she doesn't like you at all!" Troy's footsteps came to a halt as he stood by the side of the wheelchair. Russell glanced sideways, revealing his sharply defined facial features. His attractive lips curved into a very slight arc as he said, "Zoey and I have already obtained our marriage certificate, so you can give up on any hope you had." As soon as the words fell, Nelson instantly slumped down in dejection. How could this happen? Did his carefully planned scheme just get ruined like that? Who exactly did it? Livia held him and cried, but he couldn't hear her. His mind was filled with thoughts of who the mastermind behind the playing of the photos and videos was. The black Maybach drove on the spacious asphalt road. The night outside the window and the dim light of the street lamp intertwined, faintly discernible, the man's deep brows and eyes were clearly dim. Russell habitually searched for the Buddhist beads on his wrist, but they were empty. He remembered that the beads were already worn by Zoey. Is she asleep now? Russell took out his phone and saw a Line message on the screen, which had been sent five minutes ago. "Honey, have you gone to sleep?" Russell opened the chat, intending to reply, but after a second of thought, he called her instead. The line was quickly connected, and the clear chirping of cicadas and the sound of cars whizzing by came through. Russell furrowed his brows and asked, "Where were you?" Zoey sniffed, "Honey, I don't have a home anymore."Half an hour later, a beam of bright light shone on Zoey.She raised her hand to shield her eyes, and as the lights went out, she slowly lowered her hand.Troy had already opened the car's back door and walked up to Zoey, gripping the handle of the suitcase."Mrs. Maddox, please get in the car."Zoey said thank you and then got into the car.She turned her head and smiled at the man, "Honey, nice to see you again!"The pure smile made Russell smile lightly, "I thought you were crying just now when I heard your voice."Zoey blinked. “Of course, I missed you so much it made me want to cry.”“Liar,” he replied, but his lips still curved into a slight smile.Zoey leaned forward and raised her bright little face, "Did my nose get longer?"Russell chuckled and said, "How do you feel?""That must not have happened, because I never lie," Zoey laughed.A faint scent of pear lingered around her, and Russell couldn’t help but swallow. “Sit properly.”Zoey let out a soft "oh" and leaned against t
Zoey scoffed lightly and sent a message directly to Roland Mendoza.[Expose.]In just five minutes, the phone screen was flooded with videos of what happened at the engagement banquet, as well as explicit photos and high-definition uncensored videos of Nelson and Ariana.It used to be spread within the upper class circles, but now it is spread across the entire internet.At one point, the official website of Born Beauty crashed, and there was a chorus of curses.[What a bullshit official announcement, it turns out that the affair was exposed, and they had no choice but to say they were engaged!][That Ariana was simply shameless, stealing her sister's fiancé and crying all the time. She did things that no decent person would do!][Ariana's innocent girl image was shattered this time, and she turned into a slutty woman!][The CEO of Born Beauty was an absolute scumbag! He even wanted to have two relationships at the same time!][Lock up the scumbag and the cheap woman quickly, so they
Russell also saw the news online and knew that most people who went to concerts were there for the drama.Zoey wouldn't miss such an exciting occasion.He chuckled lightly and said, "Stay put and wait for her.""Yes, Mr. Russell."After hanging up the phone, Russell thought for a moment and sent a message to Zoey: "Brent is waiting for you at the same place. When the concert is over, text me."At that moment, Zoey was walking towards the backstage, but the loud music prevented her from hearing the notification sound.The moment Ariana saw Zoey, her gloomy face instantly brightened up, "Zoey, you're here!"Zoey looked at Ariana, who was wearing a shiny performance costume, and smirked, "Since I promised you, of course I will come."Ariana handed the earpiece and headphones to Zoey and held her hand, "Zoey, thank you. I'm sorry, I will make it up to you in the future."Zoey nodded, "Okay!"“Then I’m going on stage now.”"Okay."As Ariana stepped onto the stage, Zoey tightly gripped the
Stephany returned to the audience and gave Ariana a thumbs up gesture.Ariana was full of confidence, "Next, I will sing 'The Perfect Couple'!"The music started playing, and Ariana raised the microphone to lip sync.Just "The Perfect Couple" turned into "Break Up," and then it turned into "Blue World."The band looked confused, all stopped there, because they didn't know what song to sing next.They had never encountered such a situation.Ariana couldn't keep up with the rhythm at all and could only reluctantly try to lip sync.She had no idea what the next song will be, so when the songs transitioned, the big screen displayed Ariana's facial expressions in an awkward manner.The whole venue fell into silence, with the sound of solo singing echoing through the night sky, without any accompaniment, only seeing Ariana performing quietly on stage.Suddenly, the singing abruptly stopped, and Ariana didn't have time to control her expression.The whole audience saw her mouth moving withou
Zoey went to an ice cream shop and rented a power bank to charge.After turning on her phone, she discovered that Russell had sent her a message, which said that the butler was waiting for her at the same place.She replied to Russell's message: "My phone ran out of battery, I just charged it and turned it on. I'll be there in a moment..."Russell's call came in before she finished typing the words.She picked up and heard the slightly anxious voice of a man, "Where are you?""Oh, my phone ran out of battery. I found a power bank to charge it at the milk tea shop and just saw your message. I was about to reply to you.""Send me your location, I will come to pick you up."Zoey was surprised, "You came back?""Um, send me the location.""Oh, okay."Zoey did not hang up the phone and sent him a location."How did you come back?"Russell fell silent for a moment and said, "The project issues were resolved, but I didn't sleep well at the hotel."Troy: "..." Just won't admit it, would you?!
Zoey primarily wanted to tell Russell that she was Dr. Z and wanted to discuss his current physical condition with him, administer detoxification injections, and also check the ingredients of the medications he was taking.Before Russell had a chance to reply to her, his phone started vibrating.After he picked up the call, he said, "Dr. Z has arrived in Woodmerrow, but the exact location has not been revealed yet. This time, we absolutely cannot let him leave Woodmerrow. My mother's brain tumor requires a combination of modern and traditional medicine for treatment. He has refused previous requests, but this time, even if we have to break his legs, we must bring him here."Zoey: "..."In the past, she knew about Russell looking for Dr. Z, but at that time she only thought that Russell was looking for her to treat his leg, because of Nelson's influence, she never intended to treat him, and she didn't expect it was for Marlene.However, who could have taken care of Russell's leg condit
The car stopped in front of Silver Beach Mall.Brent turned around and said, "Mrs. Maddox, this is the most upscale shopping center in Woodmerrow."Zoey smiled and said, "Thank you, Brent. You can just wander around nearby, there's no need to follow me."Brent was very serious, "Mrs. Maddox, I must help you carry the shopping bags, just in case something happens, so that I can report to Mr. Russell. That day I couldn't find you after the concert ended, it still gives me chills today. If anything happened to you, I could only apologize with my life."Seeing Brent's serious expression, Zoey had no choice but to let him follow.Zoey arrived at the third floor and entered Z&L Design, a boutique for women's clothing.After all, it's better to keep the benefits within the family; if one is to spend, it should be on their own brand.The shop assistant stepped forward and put on a standard smile, "Welcome to Z&L Design, we are pleased to serve you."Zoey smiled faintly, "Let me have a look fi
There were many people standing inside the spacious store, and there were also many people gathering at the entrance.Rylee had a vague sense that something was not right, and he asked again, "Mrs. Maddox? Which family does she belong to?"Brent snorted, "Did you think you can afford to mess with Mr. Russell's wife?""M... Mr. Russell? Russell Maddox?" Rylee's face suddenly changed, and he turned around and gave Moriah's face a violent slap, causing her to fall to the ground.Rylee kicked Moriah in the chest and cursed, "You bitch, how dare you instigate me to offend Russell? You want to kill me!"Moriah was in unbearable pain from being kicked. "It hurts so much, honey, I didn't..."Rylee kicked her on the shoulder again, "Get lost! Who the fuck is your honey!"He turned to Zoey and forced a greasy smile, "Mrs. Maddox, I'm sorry, it was my fault. You shouldn't lower yourself to my level. I only got into trouble with you because of that bitch Moriah's instigation."Zoey caressed her s
Nancy trembled with her eyelashes, feeling the scorching breath of the man.Her hands trembled as she tightly grasped the man's shirt, a piercing pain shot through her, and she felt like her whole being was about to be torn apart."Ouch!"The painful sound of a woman came, and Dalton also felt that barrier.So that night, nothing happened between them, and now it is the woman's first time.Dalton looked at the tears in the corner of Nancy's eyes, his Adam's apple rolled, "Be good, I'll be gentle."He was clear-headed and knew that they were just a business alliance, perhaps one day they would get divorced, and he should stop.But at that moment, he simply didn't want to stop, and this feeling was very peculiar.He was a medical student and had performed many dissections and surgeries. The human body held no fascination for him.Even the most beautiful bodies were just organs to him in the past.Before, he was attr
The air froze at that moment.Nancy looked at this scene in shock, Dalton's face covered in cream.Luckily, when Nyasia was cutting the cake, the candles and the cake stand fell to the ground, otherwise Dalton would have definitely gotten hurt.Nyasia was not from a wealthy family, so how could she afford to compensate Dalton?Nancy pulled Nyasia behind her and said, "Sorry, Dalton, Nyasia didn't mean to. Don't be angry."Nyasia rolled up her sleeves and said, "Scumbag men and cheap women should be taught a lesson!"Nancy looked at Mario and said, "Mario, you take Nyasia and go first."Mario watched as Dalton raised his hand to wipe the cream smeared on his face, knowing that not taking Nyasia away would only make things worse.He grabbed the person around the waist and carried them into the elevator. Before the elevator doors closed, he saw Nancy going to wipe Dalton's face.Nancy was pushed away by Amiya. "Dalton, are
Dalton?Nancy hesitated for a moment, looked inside, and saw Dalton sitting on the couch, lazily leaning against the backrest, drinking a glass of wine by himself.She was afraid that the people inside would see her, so she immediately hid to the side of the door.Dalton's voice came, neither loud nor soft, with a casual tone, "The wedding at home is being prepared."Elliott Moody approached him and said, "Amiya is not leaving this time, she's staying in the country. She's now a famous wedding dress designer! She left in the first place for her dreams, so why do you think she's back now? Surely it's for you! Don't you want her anymore?"Nancy spoke softly, her body stiffened, and her fingers also closed together.She waited for the man's answer, but the man remained silent.Footsteps were heard, and she immediately turned and left.Standing on the terrace, facing the cool breeze, Nancy, who was dressed lightly, felt even colder
At the toast session, Carsen accompanied Carolyn, who had changed into an evening gown, to go table by table to propose toasts.Carsen drank red wine, while Carolyn drank juice.Zoey raised an eyebrow at Russell and said, "Carolyn has arrived, are you ready?"Russell had long noticed that Carolyn was eager to come to this table to propose a toast. He chuckled lightly, "Of course."In no time, Carsen and Carolyn came over. They first toasted the elders and then started toasting in order of seniority.First, it was Royce and Mya, Brodie and Joselyn, Madeleine and Kristian, and then it was Zoey and Russell.Carsen looked at Russell and said, "Russell, thank you for taking care of Carolyn all these years. Come, Carolyn, let's have a drink with Russell."Zoey smiled and said, "Wishing Uncle Carsen and Aunt Carolyn a hundred years of happiness!"Russell nodded and raised his glass, "Cheers to Uncle Carsen and Aunt Carolyn's happy mar
Carsen and Carolyn's wedding took place the next day, and the whole Woodmerrow knew that the Maddox family and the Keller family were getting married again.Everyone who was anyone in Lochcliff was invited, including the big shots in the medical field. Some people joked that this wedding was starting to resemble a medical conference.However, this time everyone was not very concerned about the grandeur of the wedding, but rather particularly concerned about the issue of the names used between Russell, Zoey, Carsen, and Carolyn.After all, it was a wedding, so there wasn't that much tension in the air, and that's when this kind of sound started to appear among the guests.Zoey nudged Russell's arm with her elbow, "What should we do? You're going to call Carolyn 'Sister-in-law' in a little while, are you nervous?"Russell's lips curved slightly, "I dared to ask, would she dare to agree?"Zoey stifled a laugh, "This is hard to say, Carolyn has
Viviana's surgery was very successful, and the little girl was finally going to recover after undergoing two major surgeries.After waking up from the surgery, her first question was, "Where is my father? Is he okay?"The man who had been hiding behind Mya suddenly couldn't hold back his tears, as he had wanted to surprise Viviana.Royce walked out, holding a bouquet of red roses. The man in his thirties had tears streaming down his face as he choked out, "I'm here, Dad is doing well."Viviana revealed a row of sparkling white little teeth, "Daddy, even when he cries, he still looks so handsome!"Royce squatted in front of the hospital bed, holding the little girl's small and soft hand, and couldn't help but laugh and cry, "So, Daddy has gotten old, huh?"Viviana laughed and said, "Dad used to be a handsome guy when he was younger."Royce smiled and said, "Thank you for your fair assessment of me."Viviana laughed and said, "Da
Royce's ward was unattended, and the cleaner stood at the small window, looking inside. She saw a man sleeping soundly, and she gently pushed open the door to the ward.She tiptoed to the bedside and took out a handkerchief from her jacket pocket, quickly covering the man's mouth and nose.She didn't expect it to go so smoothly, so she immediately went to the cleaning room and brought the wheelchair.With great effort, she helped Royce onto the wheelchair and placed a duckbill hat on his head before leaving.After a series of twists and turns, she took the person out of the hospital and moved them onto a black car, driving away.She couldn't contain her excitement, it was just too smooth, it seemed like the heavens were helping her.After passing a red light, she stopped and turned around to look back, only to find Royce fast asleep.She wanted to wait until she arrived at the place, and she was determined to win him over and make him
After Royce got on the car with Mya, clusters of fireworks bloomed in the sky.He opened the skylight, and Mya looked up. The fireworks were colorful and accompanied her all the way.Fireworks bloomed all the way from the villa to City Hall, a distance of twenty-five kilometers.The whole city was immersed in love, and pedestrians on the street couldn't help but admire.I don't know whose girlfriend, fiancée, or wife is so lucky to receive such love and pampering.Mya covered her mouth, afraid that her crying might ruin the beauty of the fireworks.The car stopped in front of City Hall, and Royce unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned over to embrace the person.Mya sobbed, "Royce.""I was there, I have always been there.""Thank you.""Silly little fool, don't say thank you to me anymore."Mya shook her head and withdrew from the man's embrace, saying earnestly, "I want to say thank you, thank you for al
Viviana Keller?The little girl smiled, her eyes curved, "Viviana Keller sounds better than Viviana Hayes! I like it!"Royce lifted her up, slightly crouched, and matched Mya's height, with both of them sandwiching Viviana in between, each kissing her cheeks.Viviana laughed happily, her little hands wrapped around the necks of the two people, and she shouted loudly, "I had a dad! I had a name! I was the happiest child in the world!"Mya shed tears, Viviana went through so many hardships, but she could still smile at life.The happiness that children wanted was very simple. It could be an inexpensive toy, a lollipop, and the love of their parents.Not far away, Zoey looked up, trying to hold back her tears.Russell grabbed her waist and asked in a low voice, "Were you moved?""No." Zoey didn't want to be laughed at by the man, so she immediately denied it.Russell nodded and said, "I understood.""What do you unde