"After learning that he had been disfigured, Finn went nuts. He even thought Kirk had started that fire just to kill him!" At the mention of this, Sean clenched his fists and punched the chair. "I've never seen such a heartless bastard in my life!"Seeing how furious Sean was, even as an outsider, Caroline looked over at Kirk. She couldn't help but think about how helpless and angry Kirk must have been at that time. Then, she frowned upon realizing she was unknowingly feeling sorry for him."What happened next?" she asked, trying to distract herself."Then …" Sean took a deep breath and said, "After the fire, Finn broke ties with Kirk's family. Moreover, he was very gifted in business, so he went on to take over Kirk's family's business."He was only 12 or 13 years old back then. Fortunately, he didn't get to celebrate for long once Kirk became an adult. The two of them were equally matched when it came to doing business. "But Finn probably has a gloomy personality and unfavo
"You're right. The experts on the dark web, especially the top ones, are driven by curiosity. They are no longer interested in how much money they make. Even so, getting their help will be difficult," Sean agreed. "But don't act so glum. Kirk and I have friends who can help with this.""That's good." Gwen sighed in relief. "Without the help of some experts, there's nothing we can do but let Thomas beat us."Sean said, "Don't worry, Gwen. I'll protect both of us."Gwen blushed at his words. "A-As if I'm worried about you. I-I'm worried about Carol." She took Caroline's hand. "Thomas must really hate Carol now. If he knew she was here, he would definitely …" The more Gwen talked, the more worried she became."Don't worry. We need time to rest, and so does Thomas. We just need to get help while he recovers. Thomas wouldn't dare be brazen in Easton. "At most, his plan will be done on a small scale. If we can find some expert fighters, our problems will be solved.""So you two wi
"Their reason for driving Cheryl out of the family was very simple. They must have claimed that Cheryl had offended Eddy. "I'm not sure why things didn't go according to their plan. But I'm sure they wouldn't rest until they kicked Cheryl out of the family."She continued, "Joshua's visit was also a wake-up call for me. So I asked someone to help me keep an eye on the Hacketts and see if any of them made contact with him. "Unexpectedly, someone did get in touch with him.""Who?" Gwen asked curiously."Theodora."Gwen wasn't surprised at all to hear Caroline's answer. At the Hacketts' banquet, Theodora had been constantly trying to cause trouble for Cheryl."They're clearly in cahoots." Gwen sat next to Caroline. "Are you planning to solve Cheryl's problems for her?""I don't have what it takes to do that. I could have handled it if it was just Joshua. But if he and Theodora are working together, things won't be that simple. "If I go against Joshua, Theodora will also be my
Meanwhile, Kirk was in his ward.Sean had to stop talking for the tenth time. "Kirk, why don't we stop talking about the dark web and talk about you and Caroline first?"When Kirk heard Caroline's name, he returned to his senses. "Carrie? Where is she?"Sean looked at him, dumbfounded. "Kirk, I'm not talking about Caroline at all. I'm talking to you about the dark web. Do you want to recruit these people or not?""What do you think?""Then, be serious. I've already told you about Nightshade's information three times. Tell me, do you remember anything?"Kirk was a little impatient. "I'm not in the mood. Let's talk about this later.""You should have said so sooner." Sean pushed the documents away. "Tell me, how do you feel?"Kirk looked puzzled. "About what?""You and Caroline!" Sean wanted to pick Kirk's brain and see what he was thinking. "Although Caroline is more or less ignoring you, at least things aren't tense when you both are in the same room."To be honest, things be
"Nightshade is someone on the dark web that many people want to recruit. There's a saying that as long as you win over the top three fighters on the dark web, you have the world in the palm of your hands. Nightshade is ranked third."But it's said that the top three fighters have a feud. It'll just be a fantasy to recruit them all. But we don't want the world in the palm of our hands, so we just need to win Nightshade over. That'll be enough to give Thomas a run for his money."Kirk finished reading Nightshade's information."He accepts jobs on a whim and only seems to take one job every year.""Yes." Sean turned over another page before saying, "He has completed a job this year."Kirk's expression shifted slightly. "Then, why are we still looking for him?""We don't have a choice. There's no word about the top two fighters. We have no way to find them. But at least we have someone who knows Nightshade. ""Who?""Anthony."Kirk asked, "He knows Nightshade?""I can't say Antho
When Cheryl returned to the Hacketts' residence, she felt as though something wasn't quite right. As she walked to the living room, she finally understood why she felt like that.There were guests at home, and there were more than one. Theodora and Moira were there. The Hackett family members from the other branches were also there, as well as the family elders.The situation mirrored the one at the family chapel. Only the location was different.Cheryl took a deep breath. After she had gone to see Caroline, she had a feeling this would happen, so she wasn't too surprised. She just hadn't expected them to visit her so soon."You're finally home, are you?" Moira said strangely as soon as Cheryl came in. Cheryl didn't know if it was an illusion, but she thought Moira sounded particularly tough, as if someone was supporting her behind the scenes."Mr. and Mrs. Hackett Senior, I'm home." Cheryl ignored Moira and greeted Aiden and Selena.Aiden and Selena looked very unhappy, but th
The elder said unhappily, "She clearly did something wrong, but she's still unapologetic about it. I've already told you. Country bumpkins like her are uneducated.""It doesn't matter if she's uneducated. You can just educate her. But the most terrifying thing is that she lacks common sense," Theodora said worriedly.She continued, "After what happened last time, the Hacketts and the Evans Group are already adversaries, but what did she do? She doesn't have a single amount of tact and still hangs out with Caroline all day. Maybe she sold our company's secrets long ago, and she doesn't even know it!"When Selena heard her words, she was displeased. "What do you mean by that, Theodora?""Oh, I'm just rambling. Don't take my words to heart.""Even if you are, I think this is very likely." The elder in the middle said sternly, "She's often with Caroline. Who knows? She might have told her our company's secrets!""No way." Aiden said firmly, "Cheryl wouldn't betray our family. Before
The family elders were furious. "Aiden! What are you saying? You're going to redistribute our shares just because we suspected your daughter might've betrayed our company? I'm telling you—you don't have that right!""I do! I'm the head of this family!" Aiden retorted. "I can buy your shares out of consideration for our company's future!""We won't sell them to you!""That's right! We won't!""That won't be up to you when the time comes!" Aiden looked at them without any intention of backing down. At that moment, the family elders knew he wasn't joking. Since Aiden was able to become the head of the Hackett family, he was no pushover. If they upset him, he could forcefully buy their shares. They could get a lot of money if he did, but what about their children and grandchildren?If they left the company, they would be getting further and further away from the center of power, and their dreams of their descendants becoming the head of their family would be impossible."Enough
Soon, Kirk and Caroline met up with Thomas. When he saw the two of them, his eyes turned bloodshot from the rage boiling within him. "You won!" He spat with so much force that it seemed like he had used up all his strength for it. "Things didn't have to come to this," Kirk said calmly as he sat down beside Thomas. Thomas snorted derisively. "Oh really? If you hadn't chosen to marry Caroline at such short notice, do you think Eddy would have died? You two were the cause of the tragedy!" Caroline didn't feel like talking anymore after seeing how foolishly adamant Thomas was. She gave Kirk a look, and he hummed in acknowledgment. When he turned to face Thomas again, his eyes were frosty "I'm here to tell you something," he said.Thomas let out a bark of scornful laughter. "Why? What else do you have to tell me, huh? Are you going to tell me that you have a child now?" "It's not about me and Caroline's child. It's about yours," Kirk stated plainly as he stared at Thomas
"Yes, it's true! Why would I lie to you about something so important?" Betty said. "This is wonderful! Marietta's wish has finally come true." Caroline turned to look at Marietta, who had just stopped by the door. Marietta was so shocked by the results that she was too stunned to speak. All she did was stare at Caroline in silence. Caroline opened her lips to speak, but no words came out of her mouth. She and Marietta stood facing each other, tears streaming down their cheeks. The next second, the two of them rushed toward each other and hugged each other as tightly as they could. The words that were at the tip of their tongues turned into tears at this significant moment. The others felt touched as they witnessed the mother-daughter duo's reunion. After some time, Betty broke the silence. "What are you waiting for? Hurry up and call her 'Mom'!"Caroline had once used that word to address Marietta, but she hadn't known that Marietta was her biological mother back then.
Blushing, Caroline nodded. However, Kirk couldn't lift his head due to his injuries. So, Caroline took the initiative to bend over so that she was closer to him. Their lips touched. Yet before Caroline could get that warm, fuzzy feeling she always had when they kissed, she heard Gwen's voice. "Oh? Did we come at the wrong time?" Gwen grinned.It gave Caroline such a shock that she almost fell to the ground. Cheryl reacted quickly and gave Caroline an arm to hold on to for support. Steadying herself, Caroline stared daggers at Gwen, who giggled and placed the supplements she had brought on a table. Sean and Kirk started discussing what had happened that day, while Caroline led Gwen and Cheryl out of the ward. "Are you two back together?" Gwen asked. There was a sparkle in her eyes, which said enough about how eager she was to gossip. When Caroline nodded, Gwen patted her back gleefully and said, "Great! We all know how much Kirk loves you, even though he kept his ident
As Caroline mentally prepared to face death, there was a sudden, loud commotion. The noise was followed by gusts of wind that were so strong that no one could pry their eyes open to see what was going on. Still, Caroline could make out the silhouette of a helicopter above her. She had no idea what had happened next, though. …When she woke up, she was already lying on a bed in a ward. Beside her were Betty and Marietta, their eyes red and puffy from crying. When they noticed that Caroline was awake, the two of them shot up from their chairs."Carrie? You're finally awake!" Still groggy, Caroline forced herself to hum in response. After getting up, she grabbed Betty's hand and said, "Where's Kirk?" "He's fine," said Betty while wiping the tears off her cheeks. "He's in another ward, but he hasn't woken up yet." "Can I see him?" Caroline asked, tearing up. Betty nodded and asked Sean to push Caroline's wheelchair to the ward next door. Caroline couldn't hold back her
Kirk and Caroline hadn't even caught their breaths yet when they sensed a more intense attack coming their way. It didn't seem like these people were human. They seemed like monsters, bringing destruction wherever they went. Caroline watched the situation outside in concern. "Why hasn't Nightshade come back yet? Did he lie to us?" she asked. Kirk gritted his teeth and replied, "No, he wouldn't. They're all people from the dark web, and they're all honorable. Since he promised to bring the top two assassins, he'll definitely come back."As he spoke, he pushed her into a car. "But before that, you have to leave first," he insisted.Caroline noticed that his words were only directed at her. She grabbed his hand tightly. "What do you mean by that?"What did he mean she had to leave first?He replied, "Finn has sent over all his trump cards. If you don't leave, I have no doubt that he'll come here too. So, you need to leave now!" Caroline grabbed his hand. "We haven't gone to Ci
When she saw his reaction, Caroline couldn't help but smile. "What I mean is, let's head to City Hall to re-register our marriage certificate. The information we used to register our marriage before was all fake. "Can we update it with the real information now?"Kirk brightened up. "No problem."She looked at him and smiled again. However, it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. "Oh, I forgot about Thomas. Do you think he'll send someone to ambush us when we go to City Hall?"Kirk fell silent. He didn't want to change the plans, but he still said, "Then, let's wait for Nightshade to find the assassins—"Before he could finish his sentence, gunshots rang out from downstairs. His face dropped, and he rushed to the window, where he saw two groups of people engaged in a gunfight. One of the groups was Thomas' men."What's going on?" Caroline asked as she got up from bed."Thomas must have found out that Nightshade left, so he took the chance to ambush us."Kirk led her to a
"If you make up with Kirk, I'll help you find them both."Caroline and Kirk were stunned to hear Nightshade's condition. Kirk had never expected Nightshade to say such a thing. Caroline was also in disbelief. She felt somewhat reluctant to agree to it."You don't agree?" Nightshade asked when Caroline remained silent. "Alright then, if you disagree, I won't look for them. Besides, Thomas is already planning to go all out against you. "When the time comes, I can escape. But what about you two?"Caroline looked at Kirk. "Thomas plans to go all out against us? You're not lying to me?"Kirk met her eyes and gulped. "No."She pondered for a moment, then looked at Nightshade again. "Do you really have a way to help us find the two assassins?""Of course.""Okay." Caroline lowered her head. "As long as you can help us find those two assassins, I'll agree to your condition."On the other side of the room, Betty and Marietta exclaimed excitedly when they heard her words. "Carrie, do
When Betty noticed how confused everyone looked, she said, "Oh, dear. Did you all forget?"Back then, when Marietta did the DNA test with that girl from the Hackett family—no, the fake Ms. Hackett—Caroline was the one who went to the restaurant with her."She continued, "Didn't we look through the footage from that day? Then, we called in the people who were at the restaurant that day to do another DNA test."Although they had unfortunately been unable to find Marietta's daughter, Betty still considered it a great effort. "We had thought that we had tested everyone. But there was someone who we didn't test!" Betty's eyes lit up as she looked at Caroline. Marietta immediately understood what she meant. She looked at Caroline with excitement, but she didn't dare to get her hopes up. "Caroline…"Caroline also looked at Marietta excitedly. "I… Aunt Mary… this… Is it possible?"Betty replied, "Why wouldn't it be possible? We tested so many people back then, and you were the only
Sarah was about to tell Caroline, but Dan stopped her."Don't tell her. Let her live in pain without ever knowing who her real parents are. Besides, do you really think she will get us the best lawyer?"Caroline wasn't upset that they hadn't taken the bait. Instead, a small smile appeared on her face. "You still have some sanity left."Upon realizing her trick, Sarah shouted angrily, "You liar!"However, she was taken away before she could shout more. Caroline watched as Sarah and Dan disappeared in the police cars. The feigned strength on her face finally disappeared. She might never find her parents in this life. But she didn't regret it. She tilted her head and glanced at Kirk, Cheryl, and Jack beside her. She had no regrets anymore.Even though she couldn't get her parents back, she was content that she had so many friends."Let's head back." Caroline's voice was weary. She needed a good rest, but there was still a tough battle waiting for her. The news about Caroline n