Even though their bodies were covered from head to toe with the best fireproof overalls, they could still feel the searing heat and the suffocating air around them.Sean's objective was clear, so he left immediately when it was time for them to split up. On the other hand, Cordy and Patrick were supposed to look for John—they had to do it separately since Lynd Manor was huge.Patrick in turn stared at Cordy for a while, but she gave him a determined nod. She would project herself.With that, Patrick stopped hesitating—there was all kinds of danger waiting in there, and the only way to be safe was to achieve their objective quickly and get out.Cordy and Patrick each had a bodyguard escorting them as they parted ways.If her hunch was right, John would be treated harshly once he was caught in the act, and they would have held him somewhere secure.Rumor had it that there was a basement in the old building of Cranston Hall, where the members of the family would be kept and forc
John forced himself to look up then. "I told you you don't have to save me, didn't I? I don't want to drag you down with me…"His bloodshot eyes paused, as he thought for an instant that he was hallucinating.After all, people tend to think about the ones they wanted to see most when death approached.As such, he stared at Cordy for a long while, as if to confirm if it was her.It was a difficult task too, since Cordy was wearing fireproof overalls, covering her from head to toe—no one might be able to recognize her unless they were familiar with her.Cordy wondered for a second if he recognized her too, and she did not come here to do that—right now, rescuing him was more important.She turned away from John and watched worriedly as the bodyguard bludgeoned the chains as hard as he could.However, the chains were too sturdy to break easily.Minutes later, Patrick's voice rang over Cordy's walkie-talkie, and he sounded urgent. "How's it going over there? I can't find John anywh
Bright flames and thick smoke were everywhere around him when Patrick suddenly stopped in his tracks.He thought he saw Sean with two of his bodyguards and clearly holding a document.However, he was not moving—because he could not.Patrick gulped, but kept his distance… because Sean was staring at the rifle in Jean's hand, aimed squarely at them.He had taken off his helmet as well, probably because Jean forced him."So it really was you, Sean Cranston!" She laughed darkly and asked calmly, "When did you find out it was me?"Patrick's heart skipped a beat.The fire was getting everywhere, and it could kill anyone in an instant. And yet, Jean remained so calm and unaffected… In other words, she never expected to survive!The possibility was certainly there when one thought about it—Lynd Manor was basically empty when they rushed in, meaning that the rest of the family had already evacuated.There was no telling where they left, but they were gone… and yet, Jean stayed behi
Jean was definitely over agitated. However, with the fire around them burning so violently, breathable air was scarce, leaving her hacking violently after her outburst."Ma'am?" Doug asked in concern.Jean did her best to keep herself together. "I'm fine.""It has to be a misunderstanding," Sean said loudly then. "My grandfather would never hurt you or your family!""There's no misunderstanding!" Jean snapped viciously. "My husband died because of your grandfather's schemes! Why else would they leave home together only for my husband to die from the accident while Jesse stayed fine?!""Have you actually investigated the incident?" Sean asked, staying calm. "Everyone knows that the survivor in such a case would be suspected, and no one would have done it so brazenly. And you know better than anyone how careful Jesse was—even if he wanted to kill, he would not have done it so obviously!""That's what makes Jesse smart. Everyone was convinced he would not do something so stupid an
Sean could clearly see Patrick putting himself between the rifle and Sean himself.If it went off by accident, it would pierce Patrick's fireproof overalls no matter how thick it was!Sean dashed at top speed up to him right then, yelling, "Patrick!!!"He kept hacking due to the thick smoke swirling around him.On the other hand, Patrick kept Doug firmly restrained while barking, "Put your helmet on already!"The fire was so violent now that one would be maimed or even die if they inhaled too much of the smoke.Sean's eyes were red, though no one could notice with all the flames around them.Patrick could have been killed, and he was still telling Sean to put on his helmet?!Still, Sean gritted his teeth and turned back to retrieve his helmet from the ground while his pair of bodyguards ran up to help Patrick seize the rifle and subdue Doug.Meanwhile, Jean was on the ground, unable to get up.Even if she survived the fall, the inferno was blazing so violently she could not b
Cordy blinked at John, who said, "I didn't think I'd see you again. This makes it worth it… even if I die now.""No one's dying. Not until the very last moment," Cordy said bluntly."Just go," John told her nonetheless.As Cordy pursed her lips, John repeated himself resolutely, "Go.""Shut up. It'll be done soon enough," Cordy said, averting her eyes.She refused to give up until the very end.And yet, smoke was starting to spill into the basement, and John obviously noticed that.He held her gaze, looking deep into her eyes as she said, "I'm not worth it, Cordy.""This isn't about you," Cordy said coolly. "I refused to let Dicky be fatherless.""You've already taken good care of him.""That still doesn't replace his father.""But he shouldn't lose his mother too."Cordy bit her lip at that, while John continued, "Meeting you was my greatest blessing in life. That's why I feel no regrets."Cordy stayed silent and kept watching as the bodyguard hammered against John's chai
"You've done your best," John told Cordy. "I don't hate you—no, I'm thankful that you came for me in the end. Promise me that you'll live well instead of mourning me, and spend your days in happiness with Patrick. I've looked into him… He's changed over the years because of you, and he's worth entrusting the rest of your life with."Even so, Cordy's tears could not stop."Go," John urged her again—any slower and she would not make it.Cordy bit her lip, but just as she was about to turn away, her bodyguard suddenly said, "Wait."Cordy promptly turned toward him, an irrepressible sense of hopefulness igniting within her head and causing her to shudder ever so slightly.She actually thought she could not take more crushed hopes just then."I think the chains are breaking!" the bodyguard exclaimed in surprise nonetheless. "I see a crack. Should I keep trying, Ms. Sachs?""Yes." Cordy nodded without hesitation.John tried to stop them, but the smoke was now so thick he could not ev
No longer hesitating, Cordy turned and hurried out of the burning manor under her bodyguard's escort.Their surroundings were thoroughly scalding even with their fireproof overalls, and they could hardly move forward.With the fire blazing as it was, they might not make it out if they had a second's delay, especially without fire protection.But that was not something Cordy should worry about—everyone had made their own choices.It was with great difficulty that she and her bodyguard rushed out of Lynd Manor.At the same time, Cordy saw Sean rush out as well, seemingly with another person in his arms.She was uncertain because the figure was wearing fireproof overalls as well—she rushed over to them and heard Sean bellowing hoarsely, "Take him to the hospital! Now!"Cordy was actually stunned—Sean was so worried he seemed to be losing it!Her heart in turn raced when she had a good look at the person in Sean's arms. "What happened? Is that… Patrick?!""He was shot. I can't giv
Soon, another nurse emerged from the delivery room with a small bundle. "Is the mother's family here?""Yes!" John exclaimed loudly."The delivery was successful," the nurse said. "The baby weighs eight pounds—""How is she?" John asked in agitation, not caring about the child."She's fine. The doctor is just helping her clean up and she'll be out soon," the nurse replied.As John breathed a sigh of relief, the nurse reminded him, "Aren't you the father? Here's your child."John took the baby off her arms, staring at her for a moment as the others flocked around him. "Oh, she's so fair!" Zoe could not help exclaiming. "That's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.""Are you saying that your son's ugly?" Bob teased."To be honest, yeah," Zoe replied without thinking.Jay cleared his throat—even if it was a subjective opinion, it still hurt to have his own baby called ugly."Let me carry her," Zoe volunteered just then, and John did not hesitate to hand her his baby.As Zoe
"What?!" Zoe exclaimed in shock.Beside them, John's face fell despite being usually stoic.Still, even before anyone could react, he scooped Cordy up in his arms and left.Zoe did not hesitate to follow, but Jay reminded her, "We're the hosts, Zoe.""Don't care." Zoe was completely unconcerned. "Ask my mom and your sister to handle the guests. I'm going with Cordy!"Jay hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow since there was no reasoning with Zoe.Sam and Quinn also realized that something was out of place.As they pulled away reluctantly, Bob shouted from below, "If you're done kissing, we're going to the hospital! Cordy's going into labor!"Quinn hurried after them as soon as she hurt, but Sam caught her. "Slow down. We can catch up."In fact, most of the guests were leaving as well—it was as if the banquet for Zoe's son was actually intended for everyone else.The poor boy was certainly unlucky to have such unreliable parents!-As everyone rushed to the hospit
"I'm swelling from my pregnancy," Quinn explained. "It's not your fault."Sam was left staring at her for a while before asking, "So, what should I do?""I'll put it on when I slim down.""Oh." Sam was a little disappointed, since he had always dreamed of having her put on the ring he had custom made.But this was fine—they had all the time they needed, and the most important thing for him is that Quinn was marrying him!He rose to his feet just then, and everyone was cheering as soon as he did. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"Quinn blushed right then, and Sam could see that she was embarrassed.He did not want to make things awkward for her, even if he was quite eager at the moment.Heaven knows how much he missed that night's drunken fumble they had. In fact, during the times he remembered it in dreams, he had to wash his pants when he woke up.Still, just as he took Quinn's hand and started to leave, he felt a softness on his lips—Quinn was kissing him! Sam's heart pounded thunderous
Everyone waited patiently for the final outcome.Quinn's eyes were welling up with tears, threatening to gush if she so much as blinked.She did her best to hold back her tears—to be strong!Sam pursed his lips in turn, his Adam's apple bobbing.A long while passed, and it felt like a century for Quinn when she finally heard him say, "Yes."Quinn's tears started falling in happiness as Sam declared loudly, "I'll marry you, Quinn—it's what I've always wanted to do! I won't let you go even if you regret it eventually! You only get to be with me, and I'll never let any other man claim you! I'll become very overbearing… eventually!""I won't regret it," Quinn said, determined.She certainly would not regret marrying him!Zoe walked up to them with perfect timing just then, and Sam did a double take.He finally remembered that Zoe was the host of this luncheon and was going to leave with Quinn when Zoe whipped out a small red velvet box."You know what's in here, don't you?" Zoe a
However, Sam had already pushed Quinn away before she could tell him. But even if he did not love her or did not want to be with her, she would never stay with Ryan.She had been disappointed in Sam, wondering why he would give up so easily.Was she that unimportant to him?Therefore, if it were not for Zoe and Cordy showing her that video or telling her so much, she would never have known that he loved her for years…Sam's heart ached even as he looked into Quinn's tearful eyes.He reached out a hand, but soon withdrew it—would he not burden her?Even so, it hurt to restrain himself as he watched her, and he was actually getting the feeling that Quinn loved him…But she already had Ryan's child…Well, he was fine with that, as long as the child was Quinn's.But would she not mind?"I will marry you, Sam," Quinn said slowly and clearly then. "Not because you're a good man, not because you prepared so much for me, and not because of how much you prepared for me, but because I
Everyone in the hall was staring at Sam and Quinn, while Quinn took center stage, staring fixedly at Sam.He stood in the middle of the crowd, watching her silently.She in turn felt fear that he would turn and leave, just as she did not know if she had the courage to stand before him again and to declare her feelings for him in front of so many others.Nonetheless, amid the deafening silence, Sam suddenly walked toward the stage.His pace was slow as if his feet were made of lead, but he was also unusually determined.Quinn's heart raced uncontrollably right then!Everyone else was watching them nervously, especially Cordy and Zoe, with the latter being especially concerned that the cowardly Sam would bail.Fortunately, he was a man who showed responsibility. He would not leave Quinn alone and embarrassed.Hence, as everyone looked on, Sam stood before Quinn, his gaze flickering as their eyes met.He gulped ever so slightly, his emotions clearly ruffled even as he did his bes
The guests were encouraging, loudly asking, "Why?!""Because of a woman," Sam's recording replied."Who is it?""Quinn Summer," the Sam on the screen said slowly and clearly, leaving the Sam who was in the hall stunned.What the hell?! That was the proposal video he prepared before! Why did it show up here? Did Zoe make a mistake?!He knew it—leave anything to Zoe, and she would mess it up!He started striding toward the stage, intent on stopping the recording, when John and Bob intercepted him with a look of utter guilt while the recording continued. "Quinn is my wife, and we've been married for years, but I've never really loved her—not because I don't, but because I'm afraid to. I feel too insignificant in comparison to the one she loves, so I'd always hurt her… painfully and childishly. I regret that so much now, Quinn. How could I have abandoned you for so long because of my own jealousy? I'd rather hold you in my sleep every night, but my damned pride denied me that for y
At the banquet hall, Jay and Zoe were thanking their guests with their children in their arms.Then, Zoe announced excitedly, "Please give my best friend, who is also my son's godmother, a warm applause as she comes on stage!"Sam stood at a corner of the hall, watching as Quinn walked up the stage, only realizing just then that her belly was clearly swelling despite her baggy clothes.Time flies—he had not left that long ago, but she and Ryan already had a child.She was not worried about giving him a stroke, was she?He watched as Quinn took the mic and looked around below searching, seemingly searching.After a while, he thought she was looking at him, but by the time he looked up, she had already turned away.Maybe she was looking for Ryan before remembering that Ryan was not there?Nonetheless, Quinn spoke into the mic, saying, "I'm honored to be chosen as the godmother to Zoe's son, and she's been saying he'd be engaged to my child if it's a girl. I already love my godson
As their eyes met, Sam turned frantic and averted his. "Of course.""Really?" Quinn asked."Would I lie to you?" Sam asked a little grumpily."And you didn't bring her back?" Quinn asked."I'm on a schedule, and it'd be taxing for her if I bought her along," Sam said, making things up as he went along. "I'll bring her along when things are less busy.""Is she pretty?" Quinn pressed."What, have I ever picked an ugly one?" Sam snorted smugly. "You know I prefer curvaceous types, and there are plenty of those abroad.""Do you have a photo?"Sam was silent for a while and eventually said, "Yeah.""Can I see it?""What, does she have to pass your assessment?""Just curious about the girl who can tempt you to settle down," Quinn replied. "You'd be humbled." Sam hastily came up with an excuse."I won't," Quinn said, determined."You'll see her when I bring her home." Sam refused nonetheless."I would like to see a photo now.""No, she's not that photogenic. It'd be slander a