After refreshing the page, the screen displayed: “This webpage no longer exists. Please browse other content.”*Emma had just returned to her office and sat down, feeling quite pleased. She had checked the online comments, and the public sentiment was overwhelmingly in her favor. The news was trending, and the attention boosted her mood.As she was about to dive into work, her phone buzzed with a message from Jacob. She opened it, and her expression immediately darkened. It was a photo of her in bed, clearly showing her face. A second message followed: “Last night, you were incredible! So passionate!”Her hands tightened around the phone. “He took my nude photo while I was asleep?” she fumed.She immediately called Jacob. The line barely rang before he picked up.“Jacob Yates, delete that photo right now!” Emma snarled, lowering her voice and locking her office door to ensure no one could overhear.A chuckle came through the line, followed by his teasing, mockingly affectionate
The phone on the side buzzed, and Justin picked it up to see a message from Emma. It was a shared link about the upcoming art exhibition featuring the artist Haley. He clicked on the link, a flicker of regret crossing his face. Missing Haley’s exhibition in Merika State had been a disappointment, but this time, he was determined to attend. He needed to meet Haley in person to complete what Emily had left unfinished in her lifetime. “When the day comes that I die, I’ll be able to tell Emily about it when I see her again,” he thought to himself. Justin replied with a simple thank you to Emma’s message, then opened the link to reserve a spot for the exhibition. Seeing his response, Emma immediately booked herself a ticket as well. Five years—it had been five years, and now she had to pretend to like the things Emily had enjoyed just to stay close to Justin. How ridiculous. She actually had to play the role of her own stand-in.The thought made her seethe with resentment. “I
Elena pursed her lips, placed the file on the desk, but didn’t leave. Instead, she asked, “Dr. White, are you going on a blind date?” Zac looked up at her, his brows furrowing slightly. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” Elena quickly explained, lowering her head. “Your voice was just so loud. I accidentally overheard.” After a brief pause, Zac admitted, “Yes, I am.” “And… who’s it with?” Elena asked hesitantly, her voice slightly unsure as she blinked at him. “Alright, you can go now,” Zac replied almost at the same time, not catching her question. His attention was elsewhere. “Oh.” Elena murmured in disappointment, turned, and left the room. *The next morning, Alex woke up to find his mom wasn’t beside him. “She must’ve gotten up earlier than me,” he thought, getting out of bed obediently to change and brush his teeth. His little mind was still consumed by what his aunt had told him yesterday—Justin had a girlfriend. He had thought about it all night, even dre
Haley knocked lightly on Helen’s door. “Coming,” Helen groaned, pushing herself up from the bed. The lingering effects of last night’s red wine made her head throb painfully. She forced herself to the dining table and plopped down. “If you’re feeling unwell, we can skip going out today,” Haley suggested. "Exactly, Aunt Helen. I’ll stay with you and keep you company," Alex offered sweetly. Although he was too young to understand why his aunt felt so unwell after just one night of sleep, his thoughtfulness shone through.“No need.” Helen suddenly raised her hand and grabbed Haley’s arm dramatically. “Back in the day, I ruled the bars and clubs, danced till dawn, and no matter how much I drank, I was always fresh and lively the next day. A little half-bottle of wine can’t bring me down. Impossible!” Haley rolled her eyes. She gently pushed Helen, who was leaning heavily on her, to sit up straight. “Back in the day, how old were you? And how old are you now? You’re not 2
“Alright, since Alex found the spot, let’s go eat there,” Helen said cheerfully. Since it was a bit far, the three decided to head back to the parking lot and drive over. *At RC Corporation, the day was relatively quiet, leaving Justin with little to do. When lunchtime rolled around, he took the elevator down to the employee cafeteria with Sam. They had just sat down, and Justin had taken a few bites of his meal when Emma appeared, tray in hand, and walked over to join them. The cafeteria buzzed with employees who had noticed the CEO’s presence, but none dared to approach. For the regular staff, there was an unspoken distance between them and their boss. Managers, on the other hand, were wary of sitting too close and ending up fielding impromptu work questions. Emma, however, confidently made her way over. Seeing Justin make no effort to prevent her from sitting, Sam instinctively scooted further in to make room. Emma smoothly slid into the seat across from Justin.
The next morning, Haley woke up early and gently woke Alex. There was no need to wake Helen. She always set her own alarm. Everything they needed for the trip to the amusement park had been packed the day before, so they were ready to head out right after breakfast. Once washed up, the three ate their breakfast downstairs, then grabbed their backpacks and set off. *At the same time, Justin was already up and shaving in front of the mirror in his bathroom. Without Emily, he had learned to tie his own tie and spritz on her favorite perfume before heading out. There was still plenty of time before heading to Bay Amusement Park. He needed to stop by the office first to attend a morning meeting.*When the car arrived at Bay Amusement Park, Haley helped Alex out of the car and set him down. Alex, wearing a small backpack, had a safety leash secured around his waist, with the other end strapped to Haley’s wrist like a bracelet. Helen stepped out of the car and looked aroun
Helen looked up and gave Haley a quick wink.Haley smiled softly. Helen’s personality hadn’t changed much in the past five years, and that was fine with her. She herself didn’t feel like standing out in the sun either. The sun wasn’t a big deal for her, but Alex was still young, and she didn’t want him to risk getting heatstroke.Leaning closer, Haley said, “Alex, didn’t you mention last night that you wanted to see the fish in the aquarium?” Alex furrowed his brows, clearly reluctant. He hadn’t finished exploring the outdoor attractions yet. Haley could tell what he was thinking from the look on his face. She gently suggested, “How about this? After lunch, when the lines are shorter, we’ll go back to the rides. Sound good?” “Okay, I’ll listen to you, Mom,” Alex said, letting go of his hesitation. They gathered their belongings and left the cafe. *Meanwhile, Justin and his team were inspecting the central ocean-themed building of the park, conveniently located next
“Mom, you need to eat a proper breakfast from now on,” Alex said, mimicking the tone Haley used when she scolded him for skipping meals. “Otherwise, your stomach will get upset.”Haley’s eyes curved into a smile. “Alright, Mom will remember that.” They took a detour, avoiding Justin’s group, and left the amusement park. Across the street was Peninsula Restaurant. Since it wasn’t lunchtime yet, there were only a handful of diners. Haley, worried that sitting near the windows might risk running into Justin again, decided to take Alex into one of the private dining rooms. *Following the time and location Justin had sent him, Zac drove to Peninsula Restaurant. When he entered, a server approached him. “Good afternoon, sir. How many in your party?” “I have a reservation for table six,” Zac replied. The server guided him to a table by the window, where a long-haired woman was already seated. She matched the photo Justin had sent. Raising an eyebrow, Zac thought to
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
Justin returned to the banquet hall, his tall, athletic figure standing just outside the crowd. His head was lowered slightly, and a faint sense of dejection seemed to hang around him. Emily Yates. Her name repeated endlessly in his mind, like a mantra he couldn’t escape. He had been so close—twice now. He had almost found her. The birthday celebration was already underway, and guests had gathered near the stage. Justin lifted his head, about to move forward, when his eyes caught sight of a figure in the distance.He froze. Narrowing his sharp eyes, he stared intently, confirming again and again what he was seeing. The noise around him faded into silence. The only thing he could see was the woman standing on the stage. Emily!It was her. The very person who haunted his dreams, night after night. She was there, right in front of him. Alive. Emily Yates wasn’t dead. The lights from above illuminated her figure, casting a soft glow that seemed to make her
Haley walked straight to Wilfred’s side, saying nothing about Xena’s warning or even mentioning her. “You’re back? I didn’t see you earlier and was about to go look for you. It’s almost time to wish Mr. Gibson Sr. a happy birthday,” Wilfred said with a warm smile, nodding as he looked at her.“I was just taking a walk in the garden. The flowers there are beautiful,” Haley explained. Wilfred glanced out the floor-to-ceiling windows toward the garden. “If you like them, I’ll have them planted at Mistletoe for you.” He made a mental note of the flowers’ appearance and type—anything for his sister. “No need for that. We’re not here often. But if they could be planted at home, that would be even better,” Haley replied, referring to their estate in Merika State. “Alright, we’ll have them planted at home,” Wilfred agreed easily. At that moment, Mr. Gibson Sr. entered the banquet hall, supported by his son and daughter-in-law as he made his way to the stage. Dressed in a tai
Haley didn’t get angry. Instead, she smiled faintly, her tone carrying a slight chill. Taking a slow step forward, she stood in front of Xena. “I’m looking forward to the day you marry Wilfred,” she said calmly. Without waiting for a response, she brushed past Xena and headed back toward the hall, taking the opposite direction from where she had come. Left alone in the garden, Xena stomped her foot in frustration. “What did she mean by that? Was she mocking me?”How dare Haley ignore her warning! Xena’s face darkened. “I’ll make her regret it.” As Xena stormed off, she ran straight into Justin. “Mr… Mr. Yates…” Xena stammered, her arrogance quickly replaced by nerves. “Did you see the woman who was just here on the phone?” Justin asked urgently. He had spotted her from the balcony and had rushed down in search of her, but the crowded banquet had delayed him. In just that short time, she had disappeared.Xena pursed her lips, indifferent. “Oh, her? She left.”“Left?
Unlike Alex, who spent his days running around and playing sports nonstop, her two sons were like night and day—one was all brains, the other all brawn, a perfectly clear contrast. Chase remained silent on the other end of the call. He had already made plans with Uncle Richard to hack into a small company’s website today as practice. “Hmm?” Haley raised her voice when she noticed the silence. “Got it, Mom,” Chase replied, feigning agreement. “She won’t find out anyway. I’ll just practice first, then work out afterward,” he thought.“Alright, I’m hanging up now. Go eat something and make sure to rest and exercise. And if you miss me, just give me a call,” Haley reminded him one last time, her tone filled with care. “Okay, I will, Mom,” Chase replied. As the call ended, a sudden rustling sound came from behind her. Haley turned around sharply, her gaze landing on the large tree from which the sound had come. Her voice turned stern. “Who’s there? Come out!” “Hmph!” A