“Alright then, this year’s trip will be to Haven State,” Haley decided. “Both Chase and Alex will come along.”“I’ll pass,” Chase replied calmly. “I’d rather stay here and continue learning programming with Uncle Richard.”“So diligent? Chase, you’re leaving me in the dust!” Helen said in mock disbelief.Richard snickered. “He left you in the dust ages ago.”Helen shot him a glare. “Richard, do you want me to knock some sense into you?”Haley quickly intervened. “Alright, enough. No fighting. Then it’s settled. The three of us will go: Alex, Helen, and me.”“Mom, can we leave tomorrow?” Alex asked, his eyes gleaming with mischief.“Tomorrow? Isn’t that a bit too soon?”“Exactly! Give your mom at least a day to rest,” Helen said, ruffling Alex’s hair.“Ow!” Alex covered his head and dodged away.Wilfred chimed in, “I’ll handle the flight arrangements. We’ve got a place to stay there, and you don’t need to pack much. Whatever you need, we can buy it there.”“Uncle Wilfred, you
Wilfred had arranged for a private jet to take them to Haven State. A few bodyguards accompanied them, already aboard to stow their luggage—three suitcases in total, one of which was a child’s. The group boarded shortly after. As the clock struck departure time, the plane began taxiing down the runway. The cabin was spacious yet cozy, with separate sections offering soundproofing. The jet featured onboard Wi-Fi that could be accessed once the flight leveled off, making the journey smooth and comfortable. Two dedicated flight attendants ensured every need was met, and the atmosphere felt serene. Alex sat quietly in his seat, engrossed in his Ultraman show. Helen leaned over with a teasing grin. “Why watch Ultraman all the time? Come on, let’s watch a rom-com with me.” *The private jet touched down at Haven State’s Lincourt City airport just as dawn broke. The morning light painted the horizon in soft hues of gold and pink. Coincidentally, two private jets landed almos
However, Emma continued to follow behind.*On the other side of the parking lot, Alex’s eyes lit up as he spotted Justin, the man he had longed to see. “Mr. Yates…” he began, wanting to call out and introduce him to his mom, but Haley quickly clapped her hand over his mouth and scooped him up. “Mm-mmm!” Alex muffled a protest as she rushed him into the car, strapped him into his seatbelt, and motioned for the driver to take off. Haley hadn’t expected to run into Justin the moment they stepped off the plane. And now, to her horror, he was heading straight toward them. In the panic, she hadn’t caught what Alex had just said. But Helen, sitting next to Alex, had heard it loud and clear. Her eyes lingered meaningfully on the little boy. Could this little rascal’s eagerness to come to Haven State have been deliberate? Helen had thought she would escape them by leaving Merika State and coming here. Yet, as fate would have it, they crossed paths almost instantly. By
The car headed toward the city center, and Helen suddenly sighed, “The downtown area has changed so much! I wonder if that restaurant we loved for its spicy fish stew is still around?” “Spicy fish stew? What’s that?” Alex, who had never tasted authentic Haven State cuisine, looked puzzled. This time, no one answered his question. Haley, too, was gazing at the city’s skyline. The changes were dramatic compared to five years ago. Skyscrapers now stood where older buildings had been demolished and replaced. Even the iconic landmarks looked completely revamped. The car finally pulled up to the villa in the Mistletoe neighborhood. As the group got out, a man in black approached and unlocked the gate. “Miss Haley, Miss Helen, the staff has already made arrangements overnight, and the villa has been thoroughly cleaned.” Haley nodded, holding Alex’s hand as they walked in. Looking around, she commented, “It’s just like it was five years ago.” “Five years ago?” Helen ask
If it had been the Emily from five years ago, she would have immediately recognized this man. He was the one who had bumped into her twice in the hospital corridor. Emma took the camera and reviewed the photos, eventually selecting two. One showed her and Justin facing each other in a way that looked vaguely intimate, while the other captured Justin with his back to the camera, entering the villa as Emma followed closely behind. “These two,” she said, handing the camera back. “Write it up like before, but make it even more misleading this time.” “Understood,” the man replied. The black car drove away. *Justin pushed open the door to his home. Mrs. Zimmer had already instructed the staff to prepare breakfast, and the timing was perfect. “Mr. Yates, you’re back. Quick, wash your hands and eat. The food abroad must not suit your taste, right?” Mrs. Zimmer’s keen eyes noticed that he looked thinner after his business trip. “Nothing’s as good as your cooking, Mrs. Zim
“Alex, you’re amazing!” Helen exclaimed, pinching his chubby cheeks. She had never managed to win anything from claw machines, but Alex was incredibly skilled at shooting games. With his natural talent and the specialized training he had received, his accuracy wasn’t perfect, but it was impressively high. Proudly, Alex tilted his small head upward, looking absolutely adorable. “Great job!” Haley chimed in, pulling a wet wipe from her bag to clean the sweat off Alex’s face and forehead. After leaving the mall, the group headed to the university town where Helen had attended college years ago. The restaurant they had been reminiscing about was still there, as popular as ever. They booked two private rooms—one for the three of them and another for the bodyguards. Since Alex was with them, they ordered a mild broth for him, while the sisters enjoyed their spicy hot pot. They also added some grilled skewers to the meal and grabbed milk tea from the shop next door.Alex to
The sound of footsteps approached, and Alex turned around. “Mom.” “Hmm. Let me dry your hair first. You can watch more after I’m done,” Haley said as she muted the TV. Alex obediently sat still, watching the now-silent drama while his mom dried his hair. With his short hair, it didn’t take long. Once she finished, Haley put the hairdryer away and noticed a bag of snacks on the coffee table. She reminded him, “Only one bag, okay? Eating too much at night can upset your stomach. Don’t forget to brush your teeth before bed.” “Got it, Mom,” Alex replied. Seeing him behave so well, Haley headed back to her room to take a shower. Not long after Haley went upstairs, Helen came down with a face mask on. She noticed the TV playing the drama she had recommended and walked over to sit on the couch, rubbing serum from the mask into her hands. “Still watching it, Alex? What do you think of the show I recommended? Isn’t it sweet?” “Sweet? Can a TV show be sweet?” Alex tilted
“Hmm,” Haley responded lightly, sensing an odd tension between Alex and Helen. They had probably been bickering again. “Alex, it’s time for bed. It’s past nine. Kids shouldn’t stay up late.” “I’m coming, Mom!” Alex quickly wriggled free from Helen’s clutches and dashed up the stairs, grabbing Haley’s hand and looking up at her with pleading eyes. “Mom, will you sleep with me tonight?” He was worried that as soon as his mom left, his aunt would come after him for revenge. “Sure,” Haley said with a smile. It wasn’t often Alex asked her to sleep with him. Maybe the unfamiliar environment was making him uneasy. Haley and Alex disappeared down the hallway on the second floor. Helen watched them go and smirked. “Lucky little guy. You escaped this time,” she silently remarked.She leaned back on the couch, resuming her drama. Alex’s room was spacious, with a bed much larger than the small one he had back in Merika State. It was more than enough for both him and Haley. Climb
In the presence of guests, Mr. Gibson Sr. refrained from openly reprimanding his granddaughter. “I’m not going!” Xena stubbornly retorted, her neck stiff with defiance. “It’s not my fault! How was I supposed to know she was Wilfred’s sister when she didn’t even say so when she came in?”“You still think you’re in the right?” Mr. Gibson Sr. shot to his feet, raising his cane as if to strike her.Mrs. Gibson hurriedly stepped in, blocking him. “Dad, what are you doing? Can’t we talk this out? Besides, Justin’s still here.”Mr. Gibson Sr. paused, turning to look at Justin, realizing belatedly that his daughter-in-law wasn’t just making excuses—Justin was indeed still in the room. His anger deflated slightly as he lowered his cane and sighed heavily. “Justin, I’m sorry you had to witness this.”“Take care of your health, Mr. Gibson Sr. I’ll be heading out now,” Justin replied politely.“See him out,” Mr. Gibson Sr. said, glancing at Mrs. Gibson.“No need. It’s not my first time h
“Surveillance didn’t catch it? Well, I did.”Justin emerged from the room Haley had just used to change, pushing the door open deliberately. Though his words were aimed at Xena, his unwavering gaze was locked on Wilfred.“Haley? So she’s calling herself Haley now? Which Haley and which spelling, exactly?” Justin thought to himself.Mrs. Gibson murmured quietly to herself, “Why is he coming out of that room?”Haley narrowed her eyes at Justin, a silent warning for him not to speak recklessly. Justin returned her gaze, refusing to back down. Was she really so desperate to avoid Wilfred suspecting anything about their relationship? Were they that close? Did she love Wilfred that much? The thought was a dagger to Justin’s heart, though he betrayed no emotion on his face.Wilfred frowned slightly, glancing at Justin with an inscrutable expression.Justin, however, met his gaze head-on, his demeanor defiant, as if to say: “So what? She’s mine to take, and Haley will only ev
However, Xena had always been used to getting her way, disregarding rules or consequences. Her trembling wasn’t out of fear of Haley but the dread of her threats being exposed for everyone to see. “This wretched woman—so this is where she was setting her trap!” she silently cursed.“Check the surveillance!” Mr. Gibson Sr. banged his cane decisively. As the head of the family, he had hoped this matter would be resolved with a simple apology from Xena. But given how far things had escalated, only clarity from the surveillance footage could restore order. Haley’s confidence made him wonder if everything she claimed was indeed true. He had spent a lifetime protecting his reputation. Now, in his twilight years, Xena was dragging his name through the mud. “This…” Mrs. Gibson hesitated, her eyes darting nervously. “The surveillance cameras… they’re broken.” Mr. Gibson Sr.’s sharp gaze turned toward her. Mrs. Gibson’s voice trembled as she stammered out an explanation. “They br
Once Justin had saved Haley's number, he didn’t persist in detaining her any longer and stepped aside, allowing her to leave.Haley opened the door and, to her surprise, found not only Wilfred waiting outside but also members of the Gibson family, including Mr. Gibson Sr.“Oh my, Miss Haley, you truly are stunning! That red gown suits you perfectly. It’s so elegant and radiant!” Mrs. Gibson stepped forward with a smile, reaching out as if to link arms with Haley.Haley sidestepped behind Wilfred, avoiding Mrs. Gibson’s touch. “Mrs. Gibson, save the compliments for now and focus on addressing this issue,” Haley said coldly, her irritation barely concealed. “My brother and I came to your home as guests to celebrate a birthday, yet we were met with threats, warnings, and outright hostility from your daughter. And then, to top it off, she spilled wine on me.“I must say, the way your family treats guests has truly been an eye-opener for me.”Even the most patient person would reach
Haley had no time to react.The moment Justin’s lips touched hers, a resounding slap echoed through the room.“Smack!” The sting burned across his face, but he didn’t let go. Instead, he pressed his lips even harder against hers—not out of lust, but from an overwhelming longing that had consumed him for five years.Justin’s soul trembled. The sheer emotion of their reunion defied words. Her garment bag and handbag lay forgotten on the floor. Haley’s hand was trapped in his grip, while her free hand repeatedly landed sharp slaps across his face. The crisp sound of each slap filled the room.Justin didn’t stop her. He neither resisted nor tried to control her.“Hit me,” Justin thought to himself.He deserved this—for abandoning her to face the earthquake alone in Ramsdale. It was his fault. If she needed to vent her anger, he would take it all.As long as she was alive. As long as she was still here.A single tear slid from Justin’s eye, traveling down his cheek be
Mrs. Gibson rushed over as soon as she saw her daughter causing trouble, eager to smooth things over. “Oh dear, how did the dress get ruined? Miss Haley, come upstairs with me to change into something clean. It’s not good for the other guests to see this. I’ve prepared several dresses just in case. You and Xena are about the same size. They should fit perfectly,” she said with a polite but slightly forced smile. “No need, Mrs. Gibson,” Wilfred responded coldly, his sharp tone leaving no room for argument. “We have our own backups.” He turned to Haley, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Head upstairs. I’ll have someone bring your dress.” Haley nodded, not saying much. When Wilfred spoke, she knew it was best to let him handle it. Still, a pang of regret passed through her. It was the dress Alex had picked for her that afternoon. Following Mrs. Gibson and the maid, Haley went up to the third floor. Once inside the room, she waited for a while before the maid knock
Haley had just taken a few steps forward when Xena grabbed her arm roughly from behind. “Stop right there!” Xena barked angrily, her voice sharp and accusing, as though convinced Haley was about to report her behavior. The force of Xena’s tug caused Haley’s forward momentum to halt abruptly. At the same time, a chilling sensation ran down her back. It was the wine. Xena’s other hand, which had been holding a glass of red wine, had jerked with the motion, spilling the deep crimson liquid all over Haley’s back. The dark wine streamed down the pale champagne-colored fabric of Haley’s dress, leaving an unmistakable stain. Some of the droplets even splashed into her hair. Across the room, Justin had been quietly trailing behind Haley, watching her from a distance, careful not to startle her. When he saw the scene unfold, his expression darkened. He immediately stepped forward, but just as he moved, his phone vibrated in his jacket pocket. “Mr. Yates, we’ve swept the ent
Xena took a step forward, her focus fixed entirely on Wilfred. Naturally, she noticed his protective gesture of holding Haley by the waist. “That shameless vixen!” Xena fumed inwardly. “She’s even trying to seduce her own brother. What a disgrace!”“Well, you sly Yates boy! So you wanted to make a grand entrance, huh? Hahaha!” Mr. Gibson Sr. clapped his hands and laughed heartily. The celebration was clearly putting him in high spirits, with all the powerful attendees giving him the respect he felt was due. Justin withdrew his lingering gaze from Haley’s waist and replied to Mr. Gibson Sr. with calm detachment. “Just a bit of timing, that’s all.” While outwardly maintaining his composure and engaging in polite conversation, his mind was completely preoccupied with the presence of Haley standing nearby. *As the birthday toasts concluded, the guests began to scatter, mingling and networking throughout the room. Haley stepped off the stage and pulled Wilfred aside t
Haley wouldn’t let a private matter with Xena cause a scene at a public event. Nor would she waste her energy on someone like Xena, who didn’t even register as a threat in her eyes. Xena, on the other hand, glanced at Haley. Her smile faltered, her expression unreadable. She gave a stiff nod, saying nothing. “My granddaughter is excellent in every way, but she’s a bit too mischievous,” Mr. Gibson Sr. said with a chuckle. Turning to Wilfred, he added, “While you’re in Haven State, perhaps you could help me keep her in line.” Wilfred offered a polite smile. “Miss Gibson is refined and intelligent, with your personal guidance from a young age. How could she possibly be mischievous?” Mr. Gibson Sr. burst into hearty laughter. “You certainly know how to flatter! Xena, take advantage of this time to learn a thing or two from Wilfred.” “Yes, Grandpa,” Xena replied softly, sneaking a glance at Wilfred, her cheeks flushed with shyness. Wilfred’s response was neutral, his expre