Mason sat alone at the bar, with a bottle of whiskey on the table in front of him. As a doctor, he had good habits and rarely drank, so if he was drinking, it meant his mood was very bad.He tilted his head back and downed half a glass of whiskey, feeling the brown liquid burn down his throat into his stomach. It wasn't a pleasant sensation, but it seemed to help him relieve the frustration he was feeling.With his striking looks, several women in the bar were interested in striking up a conversation with him."Sir, I'm alone here. Do you mind if I sit with you?" a woman approached.Mason looked up, seeing a woman with curly hair, a well-endowed figure, and long legs – a classic beauty. Her eyes were locked onto him as if she was waiting for his approval to sit on his lap. He furrowed his brows and said, "Get lost!"The woman thought she had misheard and blinked, asking, "What did you say?""I said, get lost!" Mason said, without raising his eyes. This time, the woman heard him loud a
Elaine had been sitting at her worktable, sketching design plans endlessly. She had drawn numerous sketches, none of which satisfied her, but she didn't want to stop. Every time she paused, all she could think about was Aaron's retreating figure when he left, leaving her heartbroken and angry, making it hard to breathe.She went to the balcony and looked at the rain outside, feeling as cold inside as the weather. It was already 11 PM, and Aaron hadn't returned yet. By 1 AM, Elaine knew he wouldn't be coming back.The next morning, Elaine was awakened by her phone ringing. She groggily opened her eyes, realizing she had fallen asleep on the couch. She reached for her phone, hearing Luke's voice on the other end, "Mrs. Brown, Mr. Brown requests your presence along with Mr. Brown. He can't be reached on his phone. Please let him know to come over immediately."Elaine rubbed her sore neck and replied, "I understand," before hanging up. She felt a sudden surge of excitement. Aaron had left
Elaine didn't return home. After leaving the Brown residence, she drove straight to the beachfront house. She parked her car and walked to the shoreline. The November sea breeze was chilly, but it helped dispel the turmoil in her heart. So much had happened in the past few days, and she needed some time to calm down."Elaine," someone called out to her. She turned in confusion to find Calvin approaching her swiftly, stopping right in front of her."What a coincidence," Elaine said with a hint of indifference."It's not a coincidence. I often come here, hoping to run into you," Calvin replied with a smile."I've made myself clear; there's no possibility between us," Elaine said, somewhat resigned.Calvin didn't pursue that topic and instead said, "I can tell you're not in a good mood. If you have any troubles, why not talk about them?"Troubles? She had so many troubles that they had piled up like a mountain. She shook her head and said, "Never mind."Calvin suddenly grabbed her arm an
Sarah watched the two of them in an intimate pose and thought again of Elaine's angry departure. In her heart, she was delighted, hoping that they would have a big argument and get a divorce so she could marry Aaron!"Aaron," she blinked at him incessantly.Aaron seemed not to hear, his gaze fixed on the doorway. When he saw Elaine storm out in anger, he turned to Sarah and said, "Get out!"Sarah reached out to grab him. "Aaron, what's gotten into you? Why are you treating me like this?"Aaron called his secretary in and said, "Get her out of here!"Sarah's eyes turned red with anger as she looked at the secretary who appeared at the door. She raised her chin and said, "I'll leave on my own."With that, she tugged at her skirt and left....Elaine drove her car aimlessly on the road, not knowing where to go. She didn't want to go home because she didn't want the nanny to ask questions. She didn't want to go to the Smiths' house because she didn't want her family to worry. She didn't w
Sylvia hung up the phone immediately after speaking, not giving Renee a chance to respond. Renee looked up at Mason, who was sitting on the couch, and said, "Sylvia said she's coming over!"After their intimate encounter that day, Renee had left in the morning, fearing Mason's sarcasm. Mason hadn't contacted her at the time. It was only three days later that he suddenly showed up at her school dormitory, not mentioning anything, just asking to have dinner. She had cooked dinner for him, and after they ate, she left.Today was his second visit. He had just arrived, and Sylvia called. Mason remained silent, sitting calmly in the living room. Renee couldn't figure out what was on his mind. She couldn't bring herself to chase him away, so she allowed him to stay. She had even bought a pair of slippers for him while shopping for groceries. He was wearing them now.Renee repeated, "Sylvia said she's coming over."Mason replied calmly, "If she wants to come, let her come."Renee was surprise
The next day, both of them woke up early. The company's fate would be decided today, and Elaine was feeling nervous. Despite Aaron's apparent confidence, she couldn't believe that Lionel would just give up.While Aaron was taking a stroll in the garden, Elaine hurried to her study to make a phone call to Tatum. "Dad, I have a question. You own 10% of Aaron Group's shares. If I ask you for them, would you give them to me?"There was a long silence on the other end of the line, making Elaine nervous. She knew that 10% of the company's shares represented a significant amount, worth billions of dollars. Even though Tatum was her father, her request must have sounded quite unexpected."Are you sure about giving him the shares? Won't you regret it?" Unexpectedly, even though Tatum wasn't in the country, he seemed to know everything.Elaine's thoughts were in turmoil, but there was a voice inside her, urging her to help him. So, she firmly replied, "I won't regret it!"On the other end of th
Aaron's decision was sudden and left both Lilian and Elaine puzzled. However, Aaron didn't offer an explanation. Instead, as they arrived at the hospital's entrance, he suddenly said to Elaine, "Don't worry, even if I've given up the Brown family inheritance, I can still provide for you."Elaine never doubted this, and she replied, "Is that what I'm concerned about?"Aaron responded, "I know what you're worried about. I'm fine!"Elaine smiled at his words and took his hand. "Alright, let's go home.""Okay, let's go home."Mavis acted swiftly. Just as Aaron and Elaine arrived home, Mavis organized a press conference and made Aaron's statement about giving up his inheritance rights public. The news of Aaron relinquishing his rights to the company spread rapidly online, and Jason called him immediately.Aaron simply told him, "I'm tired. Also, make sure to reinstate all the contracts with our business partners." He had handed over the company to Lionel, and from now on, he would have no
Mason found himself once again at Renee's place. It was peculiar since they had excellent chefs at home, but he seemed addicted to Renee's cooking and had driven over to her house again today.As he arrived at the school, just as he parked the car, he noticed a well-dressed man standing by the dormitory building, holding a bouquet of red roses. Oddly, Mason felt like he had seen this man's face somewhere before.The man heard the car and turned around. Upon seeing Mason's face, Mason recalled the man's identity. He was the same man who had been with Renee at the bar that day. Mason had later learned that this man, Allen, was introduced to her by a colleague. Allen was a university lecturer known for his good temperament."Mr. Smith," it was clear that the man recognized Mason and approached him to greet him.Mason, with his usual stoic demeanor, nodded in acknowledgment. Even when he greeted someone, his style remained the same. Though it might appear aloof, he had the confidence to b
In the following weeks, Lance frequently invited Sylvia to meet up. Gradually, Lance developed feelings for Sylvia and decided to confess his feelings. However, Sylvia felt he was too young for her and turned him down.A few days later, Sylvia was taking a break in her office. She heard footsteps approaching the door and assumed it was a nurse coming to remind her about a patient. She set down her coffee cup and stood up. But when the door swung open, it wasn't a nurse who entered; it was Lance, dressed in a suit and holding roses.Almost reflexively, Sylvia's heart skipped a beat. She pretended to flip through patient records and casually asked, "Why are you here?"Not receiving an immediate response from Lance, Sylvia raised her head to find him standing less than two meters away, holding roses and looking directly at her.Lance said, "You asked me to think it over carefully, and I did that after I went back."His expression was incredibly earnest, and Sylvia's fingers, gripping the
Seeing the young man staring at her, Sylvia wasn't one to be subtle. Considering the potential identity of the young man, even though she didn't have any disdain for that profession, she still felt a bit strange. So, taking advantage of the moment when the man was in a daze, she swiftly moved out of his embrace.Realizing that her arms were suddenly empty, Lance snapped back to reality. He lowered his head and looked at his empty arms, feeling a sense of loss. A trace of disappointment appeared on his clean face, and his eyebrows furrowed slightly."Lance, I advise you to think it over. I'm offering you a high price. Don't regret it!" The woman took the opportunity to approach, and her finger almost pointed at Lance's nose in an arrogant manner.Sylvia didn't like this woman at all and wanted to teach her a lesson. However, her hand was pulled by Lance, whose fingers were clean and slender, with neatly trimmed nails, just like him, giving off a very clean impression.Sylvia lowered he
From a very young age, Sylvia displayed a different side compared to other girls. While most girls immersed themselves in pretty princess dresses and shades of pink, and vied for the attention of handsome young men, Sylvia showed little interest. Furthermore, she had an exceptional older brother, Lance, which led her to have high standards when it came to men. Ordinary young men simply couldn't capture her interest. During her school years, many pursued her with flowers and gifts, but failed to attract her. Later, when she began working in the emergency department of a hospital, she encountered gory scenes every day. Her conversations were often peppered with terms like "fracture," making her one of the renowned figures at St. Love Hospital's emergency department. Sylvia didn't think much of men. They seemed to exist only to fulfill certain needs, and she had little desire for such things. Having become accustomed to being on her own over the years, even as her family members marrie
In mid-September, Renee gave birth to a baby girl. When Elaine and Aaron arrived at the hospital, they saw the newborn baby, wrinkled-faced and tiny. Elaine looked at her with great affection and couldn't wait to hold her.The nurse carefully handed the baby to her, a soft bundle that seemed fragile, as though she might break with a wrong move. Elaine held her with stiff movements, as if cradling something extremely delicate. She didn't dare to breathe too heavily."She's so small and so soft," she exclaimed excitedly. Elaine turned to look at Aaron and was surprised to see a hint of tears in his eyes. She was momentarily taken aback. The baby in her arms had already been taken away by the nurse."I have to take the baby to the nursery. Family members can go there to see her," the nurse said and left with the baby.In the corridor, it was just Elaine and Aaron. Elaine placed her hand on her swollen abdomen, then linked her arm with Aaron's, and smiled. "We'll have our own baby very so
As time passed, Elaine's belly gradually grew larger. With Aaron's meticulous care, she gained a little weight. Her once sharp chin filled out, and her complexion improved.During these two months, a significant event occurred: Ralph Brown passed away. He transferred all of Aaron's company's 30% of shares to Elaine, left the old Brown family mansion to Vincent, and the other five properties, including cars and various antiques, to Trevor. Mavis, at first, didn't agree with this distribution of the inheritance. Elaine didn't want those shares either, but the lawyer explained that if Elaine refused, the shares would have to be donated to a charitable organization. So, in the end, Elaine had to accept the shares. Mavis had no choice but to accept it as well, as the will had legal effect.Elaine already had 10% of Aaron's company shares, and with the additional 30%, it meant that Aaron's company ultimately returned to Aaron's control.Throughout this process, Aaron remained silent. He see
Aaron brought Elaine back to their home. He carried her upstairs, being gentle and considerate. "You're so cold. Let me run a hot bath for you."In truth, Elaine wasn't cold; it was his own body that felt icy.Seeing his lips turning purple, Elaine couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke his cheek. "I'm sorry for making you worry."Aaron just shook his head. "As long as you're okay."Elaine bit her lip. "I'm not okay. I've really thought about ending it, why go on living to face all that pain?"As her words fell, Elaine distinctly felt Aaron's arm around her tightening. Nevertheless, she continued, "I just thought of the baby in my belly. I've already killed one. I can't harm this one too, so..."Her words caused Aaron's entire body to tense. Yet, he was also relieved that they had this child. Otherwise, he might have lost Elaine forever. He shifted his gaze to her abdomen and softly said, "Thank goodness for you."Elaine was unaware of his thoughts, and her fingers instinctivel
After two days of anxious waiting, Melissa finally received the DNA test results, confirming that she and Elaine were indeed mother and daughter. The samples had been provided by Melissa herself, and the hair samples, including Elaine's and hers, couldn't have been falsified.Her fingers trembled uncontrollably. Melissa staggered backward, her back against the wall, unable to contain the shivers running through her body. Elaine was really her daughter.She was the same daughter she had heartlessly abandoned in the wilderness during that winter, the daughter she had forsaken in her ruthless quest for revenge against Tatum. She had harbored murderous intent against her daughter not once, but three times, all in the name of saving Shumo Ran's life.Elaine was her daughter!..."Aaron, hurry and find Elaine. She drove off by herself, and we're worried she might be in danger. You must find her!" Renee's voice sounded frantic on the phone."What happened? Why did Elaine leave home like that
More than an hour later, Elaine woke up. When she opened her eyes, there were people standing around her hospital bed. She blinked and felt some discomfort in her shoulder. Her brow furrowed slightly.Aaron, anxious, immediately asked, "What's wrong? Do you feel uncomfortable somewhere?"Elaine shook her head. "I'm okay. Thanks for worrying."She remembered Calvin, the man who had pushed her away, and asked anxiously, "How is Calvin?"She tried to sit up but was gently restrained by Sylvia. "Don't worry; he's okay. He has a broken leg, but the other injuries aren't too severe."Elaine, reassured about Calvin's condition, patted her stomach. "Oh, yes, I almost forgot about the baby."Aaron stopped her from moving further, saying, "The doctor said you should try to move as little as possible. Don't forget, there's a baby in your belly."Elaine rested back down.Over the next few days, Aaron not only took care of Elaine but also investigated why the driver had veered toward her. He found
Tatum went to the Garcia household since Melissa wasn't at home. After waiting for about half an hour, he heard the sound of a car outside. Tatum suddenly looked up, a hint of panic in his eyes, and slowly stood up from the sofa. It was indeed Melissa returning. She was holding her phone and talking on the phone, saying, "Don't worry, as long as you complete this task for me, I promise to send your wife and child abroad. Yes, the two million deposits have been transferred to your wife's account. I'm waiting for good news from you. Remember my requirements, go all the way!" Then she hung up and walked into the house. "Melissa!" Tatum looked at the weary woman before him. If only he hadn't insisted on leaving all those years ago... "You..." Melissa looked at the person before her, and a vague image in her mind became clearer, merging with the man before her as if he were the man from her hallucinations. She opened her mouth as if to say something but suddenly clutched her head, her