Out of reflex, Bailey responded, "Oh, that was a bag I took from my house.""Bailey!" Ian couldn't handle her stubbornness. "Don't test my limits!"After a momentary silence, she continued, "There's no point in getting angry, Uncle Ian." For Eunice's sake, she was bold this time. "I don't know where Eunice is. Even if you beat me to death, I won't magically obtain that information.""You—""What's with the ruckus?" An old but authoritative voice sounded in the living room. "Why are you looking so grim on such a joyous day? Does someone owe you money?" Marcus stood by the staircase on the second floor with his walking stick, his face solemn."Grandpa." Bailey heard Marcus' voice and knew her savior had arrived. She instantly turned toward the stairs and ascended them with quick steps before helping him down. Ian's countenance darkened as he watched silently.After settling into the main seat, Marcus glared harshly at his youngest son. "You're so capable, so why haven't you fou
No matter how unbearable Marcus' words were, Ian only reacted with a slight frown at most and nothing more. He didn't refute his father and simply ate his food in silence.Bailey couldn't help but admire Ian's patience and resilience. For a moment, she pitied him for looking so lonely.In the meantime, the reunion dinner atmosphere was vastly different at Layton Manor. Although it wasn't a crowded gathering, everyone wore a smile on their faces.The manor was appropriately decorated with festive lights and decoration. It had been a while since Lucille celebrated such a festive holiday. All of that was thanks to Spencer.Spencer had informed his family in advance regarding Lucille's return. As such, Lila had told the chefs to prepare milder food. When Lucille saw the table of dishes, she instantly understood Lila's intentions.Never in her wildest dreams would she have expected to experience familial love again, especially from the Laytons. She felt loved and appreciated; it was a
Zane blinked and said in his childish voice, "Lucy, I like you!"Lucille was slightly startled before bursting into a smile. She pinched his chubby cheeks and said, "I like you too, Zaney." However, Spencer frowned, as he could tell things weren't as simple as they seemed.Following that, he heard Zane's innocent voice again. "For you, Lucy." He passed the small box to Lucille with both hands.Glancing at the box and Zane, Lucille softly asked, "What's this?""This is all of my money!" Zane made a smacking sound with his lips and chattered, "Seth told me earlier that if I like a person, I must give her all my valuable things."Lucille was at a loss for words."Also, I want to marry you once I grow up!" Zane spoke continuously without taking a breath or panting. Instead, he became more excited."Seth said that if I like someone, I must also marry her and bring her home. But I'm still young, so I'll need to wait until I become like Spence. Then, I can finally marry you!"The more
"I'm not going out," Lucille muttered, pouting.At that, Spencer looked up at her and rang his deep voice. "Oh. What is it, then?"She replied, "Can I use Bethany and Barrett for something?"Bethany and Barrett usually stayed at Sparrow Residence, with the former occasionally tagging along on her outings. However, since Lucille's hospitalization, she had been staying at the manor.Her request amused Spencer. "I'm all yours. You don't even have to ask about using our manpower." Lucille smiled and realized he was right.Soon, Bethany and Barrett appeared in the ward. "Mrs. Layton, Mr. Layton," they said in unison.Spencer, who was still perusing the documents on the couch, grunted lightly.Then, Lucille gestured at them. "Come over here." The two arrived by her bed and looked at her in confusionWhen faced with Lucille, Bethany felt slightly guilty for being by her side every time she was involved in an accident. It felt almost like she was the jinx. Thus, she dared not follow Lu
"My men detected signs of life on three of those islands. They're not connected but follow a pattern where each island is separated by another. As of now, I can't confirm where the exact base is."The more Lucille listened, the more she fell deep into contemplation. "That's not right," she uttered.Hunter looked at her. "What's not?"She met his eyes. "Let me ask you—if it were you, would you leave those signs behind for people to discover?"Echelon 103 was not only known for its brutality but also for its mystery. Seeing how they had made a comeback, they certainly wouldn't have made such a basic mistake.Hunter gave it some thought. "So, you're saying it's a misdirection?"Lucille replied, "I don't know if it's a misdirection, but I'm fairly sure they're not on any of those three islands." She glanced at him with a questioning gaze, as if saying, "Have you been using your brain?"He stayed silent, knowing he would never be on the same level of intelligence as her to consider s
Spencer returned after two hours. Lucille asked, "Did you settle that matter?""Yeah." He approached her after taking off his coat."Was it anything tricky?""Just some issues with the construction materials for a new property development—the materials were destroyed. We're just going to have to delay the commencement of construction, but it doesn't affect anything. I'm too rich for anything to hold me back," Spencer explained.Lucille cursed Hunter in her heart. "Did you find out who did it?""A short circuit at the warehouse caused a fire. No one was hurt."Lucille regretted not giving Hunter the beating of a lifetime. He had such an unscrupulous personality that he deserved it. He'd said he'd done something to Spencer's new project. So this was what he'd meant!After lunch, Spencer took a nap with her.…Meanwhile, Barrett yawned in a car. "We've been hanging around her for ages. No one's shown up."Bethany kept her eyes on a nearby villa's entrance. She didn't want to mis
"Wake up, Barrett! Someone's coming out." Bethany finally saw something happening at the villa's entrance. Barrett was resting his eyes in the driver's seat when she patted him awake.He jolted and focused on the entrance. Bethany was right—a black MPV was leaving the villa. He waited until it was some distance away before he started the car and followed it.After a while, Bethany couldn't help thinking something was amiss."This road is a little familiar…" She thought about it. "This will take us to the Johnson residence."Barrett asked, "Should we inform Mrs. Layton?""Let's see how things play out. She only wanted us to watch the people at Windmere Manor."Meanwhile, there wasn't any hint of the holiday atmosphere at the Johnson residence. Things were heavy and gloomy. Everyone was preoccupied with their thoughts.Johnson Group's revenue had started showing a downward trend two months before the holidays. Their existing business partners hadn't renewed their contracts upon ex
Jane's gaze landed on Horace. She said bluntly, "I invested over a billion dollars in the Johnson family and helped it find its footing in Whiteloop City. Do you still remember what you promised me back then?"Horace couldn't help feeling diffident. He didn't say anything.She sneered. "Since I had the ability to help your family find its footing back then, I also have the ability to make you lose it."Horace immediately linked her words to the things that had happened recently. "Are you the one who's been messing with Johnson Group?""So what if I am? And what if I'm not?" Jane looked indifferent.Sabrina had never actually dealt with Jane in the past. She'd only seen photos of the latter. It was in this moment that she saw Lucille in Jane—they were equally cold and arrogant. Jane also carried herself with dominance; it was impossible to ignore her.Jane said, "Since you guys failed to keep your promise, it's only natural for me to take back the things I've given you, isn't it?"