The phone on his desk buzzed a few times. Glancing at the screen and noticing Emily immersed in her game, he got up and stepped out of the office to take the call.“Mom, please stop setting me up on blind dates,” Justin said in a low, exasperated voice, his eyes scanning the area around him.“I'm only looking out for you. Emma’s character is questionable. She’s not the right woman for you. Don’t you trust your mother’s judgment?” Heidi’s voice on the other end of the line was tinged with urgency, worried her son might end up tricked into marrying Emma.“I’ve already broken things off with her and made it clear. Don’t bring it up again.”“You’ve broken up?” Heidi’s happiness practically radiated through the phone. “Good! Then you should meet this girl. She’s your Uncle Jimmy York’s daughter. Do you remember her?“Just one dinner, for my sake. I’ve already agreed on your behalf. If you don’t like her, I won’t push it,” she pleaded.“Fine, just this once,” he replied coldly before h
When Emily arrived at the hospital, Helen was already there with the takeout. Emily pushed open the door, holding a bag of spicy Cajun crawfish in one hand.Helen eagerly reached out to grab it. “Is this from Maggie’s Crawfish? My favorite! Baby, I love you—mwah, mwah!”The small table on Richard’s hospital bed was already set with the takeout that had arrived earlier. Richard sat on the hospital bed with one leg bent, still bickering with Helen. “Ugh, it’s just crawfish. Is it really worth all that excitement?” he teased.“You didn’t get any, did you? Too bad!” Helen smirked, shaking her head to taunt him. “Serves you right!”Frustrated by her smugness, Richard turned to Emily for support. “Sis, look at her!”Emily, just finished washing her hands, smiled as she walked over. “Alright, you two, stop arguing. I bought plenty. It’s enough for all three of us.”“Hmph!” Richard, now emboldened, said smugly, “See? Sis brought me some too!”“Not for you!” Helen teased, playfully try
The driver, wearing a mask and radiating an ominous aura, glanced at Emily through the rearview mirror. His tone was cold and unsettling. “Miss Yates, we’re not at the destination yet. My boss admires you and would like to invite you over for some tea.”Before Emily could react, the car suddenly accelerated to its highest speed, causing her to be thrown back against the seat. *Meanwhile, in the villa, Justin paced restlessly. He had been home for a while, but there was still no sign of Emily. Even if she had just finished dinner when they spoke, she should have been back by now. Worry gnawed at him, a mix of anxiety and irritation clawing at his nerves. Standing by the study window, he called her phone again. “The number you’ve dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Sorry…”Justin lowered the phone, his jaw tightening. “She wouldn’t just take this chance to leave, would she?” he thought. His frustration boiled over as he tugged at his tie. The mere t
Emily moved to the window, desperately hoping for an escape route, only to find it bolted shut. Outside, she spotted several men in black stationed around the villa. Her heart sank. “Am I really going to be trapped here and… violated?”The doorknob rattled, and panic set in. She frantically searched for a place to hide, her wide eyes darting around the room. But there was nowhere—no closet, no corner that could shield her.In another room, an obese man sat in the shadows, a cigar perched between his yellowed teeth. He exhaled thick plumes of smoke, his eyes glued to the monitor displaying Emily’s panicked attempts to conceal herself. A low, vile chuckle escaped his throat, dripping with satisfaction.The rattling stopped, and the door creaked open. Emily held her breath, her body rigid with fear. But instead of the kidnapper, two maids stepped inside.Without a word, the women grabbed her by the arms and led her into the bathroom. One began filling the bathtub with water, while t
“Well, well, Miss Yates,” the man sneered, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “It’s been a few days, and you’re still as defiant as ever. Trying to escape, were you? I guess you don’t realize just how hidden this place is.”He had been watching her through the surveillance cameras the entire time she was rummaging around the room.He had grown tired of submissive women. What thrilled him now was taming someone like a wild horse.When Emily saw Jack walk through the door, the anxiety and fear that had gripped her heart turned into dread.“Jack, how dare you kidnap me? Aren’t you afraid Justin will come after you for this?” she shouted.Jack burst into laughter, as if she had just told him the most absurd joke. “Do you think you can fool me? If I didn’t know the two of you are just in a contractual relationship, I might’ve fallen for your tricks again, like last time.”His expression shifted from mocking to menacing as he took slow, deliberate steps toward her. Emily instinctive
The pain was overwhelming—searing lashes from the whip, the burning cigar pressed against her thigh, and now, sharp cramps wracking her lower abdomen. Tears slid down Emily’s face, pooling at the corners of her eyes as despair threatened to swallow her.“Babies,” she thought, her mind flickering to the tiny lives growing inside her. “I once wanted to get rid of you, but not this time. If we survive this together, I swear I’ll keep you. No matter what happens.”Jack’s beady eyes gleamed with twisted satisfaction as he watched her writhe in pain, her screams feeding his sick enjoyment.“Scream louder! Come on, louder!” he taunted, but something about her cries still didn’t satisfy him, not like that night in Justin’s office. Frustration flickered in his expression as he tossed the cigar aside.“Why go through all this pain? Wouldn’t it be easier to just let me have my fun? Then I’d let you go,” he said, smirking as he stripped off his robe.Emily glared at him with pure hatred, re
“Ugh… cough…” Emily couldn’t breathe as Jack’s hands tightened around her neck. Her bloodied mouth was forced open, and she felt like she was on the brink of death. With a loud bang, the door was violently kicked open from the outside. Justin burst into the room first, and the sight before him made his blood boil with rage. Without a second’s hesitation, he charged toward the bed, veins bulging in his clenched fists. He grabbed Jack’s wrist with such force that it snapped, prying his hands off Emily’s neck and freeing her.Emily gasped for air, coughing violently as she spit the blood from her mouth. “Cough… pfft…” Justin grabbed her arms, pulling them from around Jack’s neck, then swung a punch that landed squarely on Jack’s head. “You dare lay a hand on my woman?” Justin growled. Grabbing Jack like he was nothing more than dead weight, he yanked him off the waterbed and threw him to the floor. Without hesitation, he delivered a furious stomp between Jack’s legs.“Ahhh
Among the videos, there was one of Emily, but it only showed her being beaten and tortured, as Jack hadn’t succeeded in assaulting her. Fortunately, the video hadn’t been uploaded yet, as the police had arrived just in time to prevent it.When Justin saw the footage alongside the police, his expression turned icy, and a dangerous glint appeared in his narrowed eyes, betraying the storm brewing within him. The Griffin family would likely disappear from Lincourt City completely.“Police Chief Leonard, could you help me ensure this footage is permanently deleted?” Justin asked.The police chief nodded and, in Justin’s presence, instructed an officer to permanently erase Emily’s video from their records.A police officer approached Emily to take her statement. Justin immediately tried to refuse, eager to take her to the hospital, but Emily overheard and chose to cooperate. She didn’t want to make another trip to the station or have the police come questioning her later. The female
“Haley…” Justin’s voice was weak. There was so much he wanted to say, but he didn’t even know where to start.“I heard you’re sick?” Haley said.“I… I’m fine. I’m not really sick, I just—”“Take care of yourself. Heart problems aren’t like other illnesses. Just look forward. Let go of the past. Meet someone new. Live your life.”Justin fell silent. His head dropped, and the phone pressed against his ear was clenched so tightly in his hand that his knuckles turned white. He wrestled with the words for a long moment before finally managing to force out.“Okay.”But he knew. He wouldn’t meet someone new. Without Haley, what kind of life could he possibly call “living”?The call ended. Life went back to its quiet rhythm. Justin no longer clung to Haley or tried to find her. After one more day in the hospital, he threw himself back into work and took over the reins of RC Corporation.They had truly managed to part on peaceful terms.After returning to Merika State, Haley d
Everything went quiet—no sound reached his ears. His vision blurred and darkened. The sky was spinning. The ground was spinning too.With a heavy thud, Justin collapsed to the ground.“Justin?!” Zac White shouted in alarm, rushing back to him.“What… what’s going on? Why did he pass out?” He couldn’t believe Justin would faint just because Haley left.Helen was just as panicked, fumbling to help her husband lift Justin off the ground.Soon, airport staff hurried over and helped carry Justin to a car.*In the hospital room, the monitor beeped steadily beside Justin’s bed. A needle was hooked into the back of his hand, an IV drip slowly feeding into his veins.Several doctors and nurses gathered around. After a moment, one of them called out, “Mr. Yates is waking up. Go notify the director.”“Right away.”Not long after, Zac rushed into the room, footsteps urgent. The other medical staff stepped out after confirming Justin’s condition.“Justin, how are you feeling? Do you kno
Soon, the rest of the Walker family also noticed what was happening outside.Alex opened the door and ran out on his little legs. “Uncle Justin! You’re back! Why didn’t you come inside? I heard you got your memory back. Congratulations!”He meant it sincerely, then added cheerfully, “So… did you win Mommy back?”But seeing that Uncle Justin looked down and didn’t respond, Alex quickly realized he had said the wrong thing. If Uncle Justin was just standing out here and not going inside, then he must have made Mommy mad.His warm little hand reached out to hold Justin’s cold one. “It’s getting chilly, Uncle Justin. Come inside with me.”He tugged hard but Justin wouldn’t budge.Justin looked down at him and gently pulled his hand away. His voice was hoarse. “Be good, Alex. Go back inside.”But Alex didn’t move. He was determined to bring Uncle Justin in with him.He tried again and again, tugging with all his strength, but it was no use. Uncle Justin just wouldn’t go in.The aut
”Justin, let go! None of this matters anymore.”It didn't matter?How could it not matter?This was about his innocence. Of course it mattered. It was everything.“I don’t love you anymore. Just let go.” Her voice was calm. Her whole demeanor was terrifyingly calm.Justin froze where he crouched.She didn’t love him anymore?How could that be?She used to love him more than anything!She had confronted him outside the hospital room, using the promise of marriage to force him to go home with her.She’d chased him all the way into his mother’s birthday banquet, getting in with Sean’s help just to find him.She gave birth to his children.She even brought the kids with her to his mother’s funeral.And there were those three years they spent together—whatever he wanted, she did everything she could to give it to him.If that was not love, then what was?That was love!So why? Why didn’t she love him anymore? How could she stop?Wasn’t love supposed to last forever? Wasn’t
At last, Justin found Haley in the hospital’s back garden.She sat alone on a wooden bench, the autumn wind lifting strands of her hair as she tilted her head toward the starry night sky. Her eyes were vacant and hollow.“Sis…” Justin bent over, hands on his knees, panting hard. “Why are you sitting out here? It’s chilly at night. Come on, let’s go back. Dinner’s waiting, and I’m starving.”He didn’t know if she had overheard his conversation with Jacob. He had no idea how much she had heard.So all he could do now… was pretend nothing had happened."Was it fun lying to me, Justin Yates?" Her voice was dry and lifeless.The last time she found out she had only been a stand-in love, it had happened right here—at Lichfield Hospital, in the same garden, under a sky just like this one.The wind had been just as sharp, just as cold, cutting straight to the bone.It felt like being sliced open again and again, each cut peeling away more of her flesh, until there was nothing left but
Jacob clamped his jaw shut and refused to speak.Justin narrowed his eyes. “You don’t have to talk,” he said coldly. “All I have to do is send this in for testing. If it turns out to be lethal—then congratulations. You’re looking at attempted murder.”He glanced at the clock on the nightstand, estimating Haley would be back any minute. He was about to call for the guards to take Jacob away when—Jacob suddenly let out a low, hateful growl. “You think you’ve won, don’t you, Justin?“Well, you haven’t. You’ve lost completely.“You really think Emma’s first time was with you?” Jacob sneered, his face contorted with spite. “It was with me. On that hotel bed at the Mandale Hotel—right next to you!“We did it with you lying there passed out! You thought you were the one who slept with her? No—it was me!“And not just that night. Every night after, too. I slept with her again and again. Your precious angel? She’s been used up and ruined by me!“And that baby you thought was yours?
The hospital suite was a luxury unit. No one was in the living area or kitchenette. The heavily disguised “doctor” shifted his gaze toward the main bedroom.The door was closed.He quietly pushed the cart forward, lightly pressing down on the handle and easing the door open. The sound was barely audible—just the faint squeak of wheels and the soft tap of footsteps.Approaching the bed, he saw Justin lying there with his eyes shut, seemingly fast asleep.Carefully, the man pulled out an empty syringe and filled it with a clear liquid. Moving slowly, he rolled up the loose sleeve of Justin’s hospital gown, exposing his arm. The needle crept closer to the skin.But just as it was about to pierce—Justin’s eyes flew open.In one swift motion, he grabbed the man’s wrist and sat upright, twisting his arm behind his back and slamming him facedown against the bed.With a sharp twist of his fingers, the syringe slipped from the man’s grip and clattered to the floor.Justin yanked down
Haley wanted to tell Justin what had happened at the company.But when she opened the door to the hospital room, she found both Sam and Zac already inside."You're back, Sis," Justin said with a cheerful smile. Clearly, he had already heard everything from Sam—yet there was no anger, no frustration on his face. Just warmth, like nothing had happened."Um... we’ll let you two talk," Zac said, rubbing the bridge of his nose before gesturing for Sam to follow him out.The door opened and shut again, leaving only Haley and Justin in the quiet room.She walked over slowly, guilt written all over her face. Her voice was low, almost trembling. "I'm sorry... about the company.""It’s okay, Sis. Don’t blame yourself," Justin said brightly, pumping his fist in the air. "My uncle bullied you. When I learn how to run the company, I’ll make him pay for it! Sound good?"He looked like he couldn’t care less about losing the president title.Haley stayed quiet, her head still down, should
In the top-floor conference room, an emergency shareholders' meeting was underway. The primary agenda was the removal of Haley as RC Corporation’s acting president.The fallout from the recent workplace fatality had seriously damaged the company’s reputation, even forcing their flagship international project to halt temporarily.Things had barely begun, and they were already facing one obstacle after another.Harry sat near the end of the table, watching Haley’s icy expression with undisguised satisfaction. “Just yesterday,” he announced with a smug smile, “I acquired three percent of RC Corporation’s shares from Jason Zimmer.“With the two percent I already held, my total may not exceed Miss Haley’s, but I have full confidence in my ability to lead this company forward. I will rally our thousands of employees, and I promise each of you—my fellow shareholders—you will see the returns I deliver.“I ask for your trust and your vote.”This time, Harry didn’t even bother hiding hi