As her words fell, the previously ambiguous atmosphere in the car froze instantly. Since she had already put it all out there, Elaine had no intention of arguing further. She gazed at him, her eyes fixed.Feeling her gaze, Aaron squinted slightly. His right hand moved to the back of her neck, his fingers playing with her long hair. "So, how do you plan to seduce me?"Elaine looked at him in astonishment. "Are you serious?""What do you think?" he evaded her question, lightly tapping the steering wheel. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, a smirk playing on his lips that was hard to read.Elaine's mind was in chaos. She did intend to snatch Aaron away, that was true. But she needed to figure out how she would actually do it. What should she do now?Suddenly, Aaron withdrew his hand. "Don't say things you can't follow through on. I don't need you tarnishing my reputation!""Who said I can't?" Elaine retorted.After a few seconds of silence, Aaron burst into hearty laughter. El
The car came to a stop, and Aaron gentlemanly walked around to her side and opened the car door. Elaine smiled and got out, and in the corner of her eye, she noticed flashing lights behind the bushes. She quickly stepped forward, blocking Aaron's line of sight."Are you sure there's food at home?" She looked up at him.Aaron smiled, "I'm sure."Elaine smiled back, and with light steps, she headed inside. Aaron followed behind, watching her graceful figure. He couldn't help but smile, feeling quite content."Oh!" Elaine missed a step on the staircase and stumbled.Aaron's eyes tightened, and he quickly reached out to catch her. They both fell to the ground – Aaron landing solidly on the grass while Elaine ended up on top of him. His hands were on her slender waist, and the position appeared quite ambiguous.Sniffing the faint fragrance that seemed to emanate from her, Aaron lost himself for a moment. Unbeknownst to him, he didn't notice the subtle curl of Elaine's lips. Yes, she had do
Elaine soaked in the bathtub for a couple of hours, finally feeling like she had washed away the stench. She stepped out of the bathroom, towel-drying her hair, and said, "Renee, thank you for letting me stay."Renee turned around and glanced at her. "Is the smell gone?""Yeah, I don't smell it anymore," Elaine nodded, hanging the towel on a hook. She picked up a glass of water from the nearby table and took a sip, not displaying any signs of anger.Seeing her composed demeanor, Renee asked, "Do you know who was behind this?""Who else could it be?" Elaine smiled. "It's that patient from the Garcia family."Just as she mentioned her, Elaine's phone received a text message. As expected, it was a provocative message from Sarah, admitting to orchestrating the egg-throwing incident.Elaine chuckled and casually set her phone aside. Feeling proud, are you? The higher you fly, the harder you fall!"Renee, the registration is done, but do you really think I'm good enough for this?" she asked
On that evening, under Bowie's authoritative intervention, Renee settled down at the Smith residence. The two of them sharing a room was certainly more intimate than being separated as they were before.Elaine sincerely hoped that the relationship between the two could improve. After all, her opinions didn't hold much weight in this matter. After dinner, she returned to her room early. Before long, she received a call from the competition organizers, informing her to report at 10 AM the next morning for the announcement of the rules for the second round.The scene was much grander than Elaine had imagined. The briefing hall was filled with participants who had advanced to the second round. On the stage, seven seats were arranged, each with the nameplates of the judges. The staff was bustling around, making final preparations.Elaine glanced around and estimated that there were around fifty participants. It seemed that no one really knew each other. Some were playing with their phones,
Elaine's heart felt suffocated. She walked quickly to the parking lot, desperate to leave the place. But as she was about to open the car door, someone called out to her, "Miss Smith."She turned back at the sound of the voice and saw Nahum standing a few meters away, looking at her with a hint of something he wanted to say."Mr. Scott," as a courtesy, Elaine responded to him.Nahum smiled and approached, a bit hesitant in his tone, "I wonder if Miss Smith has some time. I have something I'd like to discuss."Elaine couldn't immediately fathom what he was talking about. However, considering he was Renee's senior and had helped her, she naturally had no reason to refuse. It was also time for lunch. She said, "How about this? I'll treat you to a meal, and we can chat while eating."The location was Elaine's choice, a Chinese restaurant. They found a window seat and sat down. After Elaine placed her order and asked for two bottles of cola due to her thirst, she waited for him to speak.N
The phone buzzed. He picked it up, glanced at the message, and his gaze tightened suddenly. She said she would! His finger joints clenched one by one, a sense of unease settling over him. Elaine had always harbored hostility towards him; there was no doubt about that. So why the sudden change in attitude? What kind of game was this woman playing?"Mr. Brown, you mentioned wanting to come home earlier today. I've already rescheduled your appointments," Jason walked in and said."Mmm," Aaron absentmindedly replied.Seeing no further instructions were needed, Jason turned to leave but was stopped by Aaron's voice, "Let me ask you something. What kind of person do you think Elaine is?""Miss Smith?" Jason pictured that beautiful figure in his mind and recalled her various actions. Feeling a twinge of sorrow, he carefully chose his words, "She's a woman with a very strong personality.""Just that?" Aaron raised an eyebrow.Jason couldn't quite grasp his thoughts and cautiously probed, "Is
Mason didn't return overnight. Renee spent the night on the couch. She couldn't tell how much time had passed when she finally lifted the smoke-gray blanket off her body, stepped into the bathroom, and stared at the disheveled woman in the mirror. Her hair was a mess, her spirit was low; she almost looked down on herself in this state. Forcing a smile, she stepped into the shower. Come on, Renee, pull yourself together!Downstairs in the living room, Elaine had come downstairs early too. She hadn't slept well either, her mind buzzing with various thoughts that kept her awake. Several times, she took out her phone, but Sarah's defiant messages didn't arrive.This somewhat surprised her. Given Sarah's personality, once she and Aaron's wedding plans were confirmed, how could she not show off? Could it be... that something had changed?The butler sighed deeply, "Mr. Mason didn't return last night. He went to Charm Night.""Charm Night?" Elaine repeated, suddenly understanding. She looked
Aaron's expression soured immediately, and his eyes were filled with anger. "Don't go too far!"His warning was serious, and it left Elaine unable to keep smiling. Her own anger surged within her, threatening to consume her last shreds of reason. Flames seemed to ignite in her eyes, burning brightly.Aaron appeared to have reached his limit. "I have things to do. I'm leaving."He stood up, and Elaine followed him out of the café. The midday sun was still strong, and against the light, his silhouette seemed to block out all storms. She stood in the shadow he cast, squinting her eyes slightly as she looked up at him.It was as if Aaron suddenly realized something. He came to a sudden stop, his clenched fist exuding determination. "In two days, Sarah and I are going to register for marriage."Finally, she heard him say those words with her own ears. Elaine smiled. "Do you love her? How much? Would you die for her?"He abruptly turned around, his eyes locked onto hers with fury. "Enough!"
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