“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
“The building at the heart of the island is a massive wedding chapel,” the staff member explained cheerfully. “The first floor is for the ceremony itself, the second for the banquet. The third floor is reserved for dressing and makeup, and from the fourth floor up, it’s all accommodations. The very top level is the bridal suite.”The more he spoke, the deeper Haley’s frown became. Something wasn’t adding up.“So this is an all-inclusive wedding venue?” she cut in.The man chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh, no, no. This place isn’t open to the public. Mr. Yates built it exclusively for his wife. Just the two of them. One couple. That’s it.”Haley was at a loss for words.Even Alex, the more clueless of the twins, caught on. His eyes sparkled as he tugged at Haley’s hand. “Mommy! Uncle Justin built this place for you! It’s so romantic!”Five years ago—around the time he and Chase were born—their dad had already been planning a wedding for their mom.Suddenly, Alex didn’t feel quit
At 8 p.m., Haley arrived right on time for Jacob and Miss Scott’s engagement banquet.Up on the stage, under the warm wishes of both families and to the sound of dreamy background music, the soon-to-be-wed couple exchanged rings. They followed it up with a string of romantic clichés about love at first sight. Then, under the applause of the guests, they shared a passionate kiss.Just as Sam had said, Haley didn’t need to do much—just show her face. She had no interest in watching the Yates and Scott families put on this show. The whole thing was clearly a political alliance, a calculated marriage meant to secure control over RC Corporation—the very company she was now temporarily leading.She set down her untouched wine glass, smoothed her gown, and quietly left the venue.The car headed toward Mistletoe Villa. Haley sat in the backseat, eyes distant. Sam was in the front passenger seat. Noticing her exhaustion, he pulled out a tablet from his briefcase and said,“President, t
Chase and Alex had settled into a daily routine of their own. Every morning, they accompanied Zac to the hospital to visit Justin. In the evenings, they went home together after work.The world kept turning. It didn’t slow down just because Justin had slipped into a coma.At RC Corporation, Haley was also adjusting. With Sam’s steady guidance, she was slowly getting the hang of the job. Day by day, her grasp of the responsibilities sharpened, and her confidence grew.Everything was moving forward.“President,” Sam said, stepping into her office. “Here’s the compensation proposal for the demolition site. It’s part of the land marked for the international project. The plan was finalized under the former president’s direction, and we just got the government’s approval. We need your signature to release the funds so construction can begin.”He handed her the file, efficient and precise as always. Sam never once got her title wrong. He took his role as assistant seriously.Haley glanc
Haley’s voice was steady and sincere. “It’s true—corporate management and project leadership aren’t my areas of expertise. But from what I understand, RC Corporation is currently working on a major international venture. The overseas partner is Prolux Corporation, based in Merika State.”She paused briefly before continuing. “Prolux Corporation’s CEO is Wilfred—my brother. I also hold shares in Prolux. I believe that makes me a strong bridge between RC Corporation and our international partner, and someone well-positioned to temporarily lead the company.”What?Wilfred was her brother?The shock hit the room like a thunderclap. Whatever doubts they had about her qualifications or lack of experience suddenly evaporated. With a backing like that? No one could ignore it.Compared to her powerful connections, Harry’s passionate speech felt like hot air. All skepticism faded. All except Harry voted in favor.For now, it looked like Haley had secured her position as president—solid a
After finishing his pitch, Harry looked around the room.“I believe that under my leadership, we can take RC Corporation to even greater heights. I’m not doing this for personal gain,” he added, his voice earnest. “My nephew suffered a terrible accident and is now in a vegetative state. I’m simply stepping in as acting president until he wakes up. When that day comes, I’ll hand everything back to him, no questions asked.”Harry silently remarked, “Wake up? A person in a vegetative state doesn’t just wake up in three to five years.”Once he got his hands on full control, that precious nephew of his would never wake up—at least not while he was in charge.Victory was within reach. Harry curled his lips into a satisfied smile, ready to accept the applause.But no one clapped.Instead, Haley’s voice rang out, calm and clear. “I have a document here. Before his accident, Justin gave specific instructions to his assistant, Sam. Should anything happen to him, all authority—his positio
Sam, worried that Haley might change her mind, borrowed the assistant’s office from Zac’s team and quickly printed the new contract. Then he brought it back to the hospital room.Only when he saw Haley sign her name did he finally breathe a sigh of relief. It was done—the company now had someone in charge.*The next morning, Lily arrived at the hospital right on time for her shift. Haley took the boys home to Mistletoe Villa, had breakfast, showered, and got into Sam’s car for her first official day at RC Corporation.Sam followed closely, looking like he feared she might bolt at any moment.In Justin’s office, he handed her a tablet and began briefing her with practiced efficiency. “President, you have a board meeting in fifteen minutes. It’s your formal introduction as acting president. Most of the shareholders are cooperative, but Vice President Harry Yates may try to stir things up.“You’ll want to be ready with a few prepared responses. Don’t worry. I’ll be right there w
“If the time runs out and I’m not back,” Haley said gently, “just call out to the bathroom. I’ll answer you right away.”“Okay… but come back soon, Mommy,” Alex said quickly. “If you fall or anything, call for me. I’ll get the housekeeper to help.”“I will,” Haley promised with a small smile.She understood why Alex was so nervous. It all went back to the kidnapping. He was afraid something would happen again.After her shower, she returned to find Chase and Alex already curled up on the bed, one on each side. She pulled them close and they all slept in together until noon.That evening, after dinner, Haley got ready to head to the hospital to switch shifts with Lily. She hadn’t planned on taking the boys, but they begged until she gave in.As they reached the hospital room and were about to go in, Haley paused. She could hear someone inside, talking in a soft, rambling tone. She couldn’t quite make out the words, but for a second, from the voice and the silhouette, she almost
Twelve hours had passed. Justin lay still on the hospital bed, his expression peaceful. He was so still that, if not for the rise and fall of his chest, he could have been mistaken for dead.Haley had spent the entire night at his bedside, with Chase and Alex by her side. It was not until early the next morning that Lily arrived with Alexander to take over.Lily shared several facial features with Heidi. It was clear they were sisters, although Lily looked a bit younger.No one felt much like talking. They simply nodded in greeting. One group stepped into the room, while the other quietly made their way home.Back at the house, everyone was already up and gathered at the breakfast table.“You’re back, sis!” Helen called out, gesturing for them to come eat.She didn’t mention anything about what happened. After all, Zac had already told her everything the night before. She hadn’t expected Justin to go that far to save her sister. It completely changed how she saw him.Looking at
Everyone had cleared out. Anxious to see their dad, Alex dragged Chase into the hospital room first. Only Haley remained in the hallway, quietly standing just outside the door. She didn’t go in right away.She didn’t know how long she had been there when Sam approached, holding a folder.“Miss Haley,” he said softly, “before Mr. Yates left to rescue you, he signed this.”He opened the folder and held it out to her. “If anything happened to him, he wanted all of his assets—his shares in RC Corporation and everything else—to be transferred to you.”Then he offered her a pen.All she had to do was sign, and everything would legally be hers. Every share. Every cent. She would become the new Chair of RC Corporation.It was a staggering amount of wealth—something most people wouldn’t even dare to dream of.But Haley barely reacted. Her face stayed calm. She didn’t even glance at the documents.“He’s going to wake up,” she said quietly, pushing the folder back. “It’s just a coma. H