Joe tried to rush onto the stage, but someone held him back. He roared, "What the hell! Nash, why are you holding me? I need to get up there!"Nash snorted and punched him hard. "Why are you hitting me? Stop this before it gets worse!" Joe shouted, his frustration mixed with genuine concern for Yvonne’s wedding. Even though he never wanted her to marry Nigel, he didn’t want the wedding to be ruined like this.Grabbing Joe by the collar, Nash gritted his teeth and hissed, "You’re such a great brother, aren’t you?"He punched him again, and even that didn’t seem to calm his anger. Nash stomped down hard on Joe’s foot. If it weren’t for Winona running over to pull Nash away, Joe would have gotten beaten even more.Nash shook Winona off with a sneer. "Well, Mrs. Turner, are you satisfied now? I can’t wait to see how your family handles this mess."Suddenly, someone screamed, "Yvonne just fainted!"A blur raced past Nash, causing him to furrow his brows. He quickly left Winona and r
"No, Grandpa, I need to see Yvonne. I want to stay by her side," Nigel's plea fell on deaf ears as none of his elders stepped in to support him.With such a big scandal, everyone instinctively aligned with what would protect the family’s interests. The consequences of this event were clear to all, and the Gibson family was not about to endure such humiliation.Nigel was taken upstairs, and Mr. Gibson Sr. ordered Shirley, "Go handle this matter. Make sure to sever all ties with the Turner family. A family like theirs isn’t fit to be connected to us."Shirley nodded. Even without Mr. Gibson Sr.’s instructions, she would have done the same. No mother would stand by while her child was publicly humiliated, and certainly not a mother from a family as powerful as the Gibsons.On the other side, Joe could never have imagined being so ruthlessly betrayed by Winona. This kind of backstabbing not only cost him his dignity but also the reputation of the entire Turner family.He glared at Win
Joe, get lost. She’s your sister!" Winona snapped, throwing Yvonne’s identity in his face.Joe looked at her like she was telling a joke. He was about to say something when his phone rang. It was his assistant, whom he had stationed at the hospital to keep him updated. Any news about Yvonne, especially when she woke up, was to be relayed to him immediately.Anything involving Yvonne made Joe tense up. He quickly answered, "What’s going on?""The Gibson family is here. Mrs. Gibson herself came and said they want to call off the wedding. She also said, considering Yvonne’s current state, they won’t ask for compensation, but..."The assistant trailed off, making Joe lose his patience. "But what? Spit it out!""Well, judging by Mrs. Gibson’s tone, it sounds like she intends to make life difficult for the Turner family from now on."Joe did not care about that. He chuckled bitterly and ordered, "Keep watching Yvonne. Let me know the second she wakes up." After a moment’s thought,
"Yvonne, please, don't scare me." Joe hesitated as he reached for her hand, afraid that he might frighten her, and pulled back.Yvonne giggled absentmindedly. "I'm not Yvonne. I'm Little Sister." She got out of bed and wandered over to the couch. She picked up a cup of water from the table, not even aware of how long it had been sitting there or who had drunk from it. Joe hurried over and snatched the cup away.Yvonne looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears.Joe quickly fetched a fresh cup, his voice soft and soothing. "Here, take this. You want some water, right? I'll pour it for you.""Water, I want water," she said in a childlike tone, completely unaware of how deeply it pained Joe to see her like this.The sight of her, so lost and broken, made his chest ache. He regretted not stopping Winona when he had the chance. He blamed himself for what had happened to Yvonne. Gently brushing her hair from her forehead, a thought began to form in Joe’s mind.He wanted to keep Y
Before the assistant could finish his sentence, Joe shot him a look that made him go silent.Joe did not want to use underhanded tactics anymore. He wanted Yvonne to stay by his side willingly. After talking with the doctor about some care details, Joe left to buy a small cake. When he returned, he saw Nina trying to help Yvonne eat. However, Yvonne was refusing, despite Nina’s patient coaxing.Joe walked over, took the food away, and placed the small cake on the table.The moment Yvonne saw the cake, her face lit up, and she clapped her hands, shouting, "Cake! Cake!"Joe felt a wave of relief and excitement. Acting surprised, he said, "Does Little Sister like cake? Then I will buy you all the cake you want. How does that sound?"Yvonne beamed, nodding eagerly, "Yes! I want lots of cake!"Nina pulled Joe aside, warning him, "If you keep giving her cake, she’ll never eat proper meals."Joe smirked confidently, "Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she eats her meals. Thrice a day, no ex
Nash could not help but laugh, a bit bewildered by her thought process. He cupped Nina's face and planted a kiss on her forehead. "I don’t think so. Look at us! We're proof that people who love each other end up together, right?""I’m talking about Yvonne," Nina said, still focused on her friend's situation, not wanting to steer the conversation back to themselves.Nash gestured for her to look. At that moment, Yvonne was sitting on Joe’s back, treating him like a horse. "You have to trust that everything happens for a reason, even if it seems ridiculous. This might just be the best thing for her."He did not mention how the Gibsons had slandered Yvonne after everything fell apart. Seeing how Joe took care of her now, Nash felt that this outcome might be better than marrying into the Gibson family. Yvonne, with her personality, would never have survived under the control of Nigel’s mother, let alone the aunts.Suddenly, Yvonne yelped and jumped off Joe’s back, starting to pull do
Day after day, Joe could not avoid his duties at the company any longer, but Yvonne refused to let anyone else near her. With no other option, he started bringing her to the office. To ensure she wasn’t disturbed or triggered by anything, Joe set up children’s toys and equipment in his office. He also issued a notice that no one except his assistant was allowed inside.One morning, as Joe brought Yvonne into the office, some employees immediately recognized her. Seeing her in her childlike state, they began whispering and gossiping, saying all sorts of things. Though Joe did not hear them, Nigel did. Nigel had finally convinced Mr. Gibson Sr. to allow him to handle business, and on his first day at Turner Corporation, he ran into Yvonne. Seeing the woman he still loved in such a state broke his heart. When he overheard someone say she deserved it, rage flared inside him. But Nigel was not the impulsive young man he once was.Instead of causing a scene, he followed his assistant
A month had passed without any incidents, and it was time for Nina’s prenatal checkup. After breakfast, she asked Orion to go upstairs and pack her things for the hospital, giving him instructions on what to bring. Being heavily pregnant made everything a challenge, so Nina sat on the couch, using her phone to guide Orion step by step.Nash had been tied up with work lately, wanting to be there for her but unable to. Nina understood, which was why she decided to head to the hospital on her own.Half an hour later, Orion came running downstairs with a small backpack. "Mom, I’m grown up now, right? I can help you with things."Nina smiled and patted his head gently. "Yes, our Orion is really growing up."Beaming, Orion slung the backpack over his shoulders, grabbed the wheelchair, and helped Nina into it. Fortunately, the wheelchair was electric. Otherwise, Orion’s small frame wouldn’t be able to push it.The driver spotted them and immediately got out of the car to assist. "Ma’
Back home, the first thing Karina did was take a shower, cranking the water temperature to the highest setting as if that was the only way to wash away the grim memories of the night.She scrubbed her arms fiercely, the spots where those repulsive men had touched her. Even through her clothes, the thought made her feel sick. Again and again, she lathered herself with soap until her skin turned slightly red, but no matter how hard she tried, the discomfort in her heart lingered.After her shower, Karina changed into clean pajamas and sat on the edge of her bed, unable to sleep. Her gaze fell on her phone. She hesitated for a moment before sending a text to Wilfred.“Dr. Wilfred, I’m truly grateful for your help tonight. I’ll never forget it.”After sending the message, she set her phone down, hugged her knees, and curled up on the bed. Returning to the hospital had always been her dream, but now she worried whether she could truly meet expectations and not let Wilfred down.As she
The men exchanged uneasy glances, hesitating for a moment before reluctantly mumbling, “Sorry,” to Karina. Wilfred watched their retreating figures with thinly veiled disgust. Turning to Karina, he asked gently, “Are you okay?” Karina shook her head lightly, brushing it off. “I’m fine, Dr. Wilfred. Thank you.” Wilfred let out a soft sigh. “Come with me. You shouldn’t be working here.” Karina nodded, following him out of the private room. Wilfred guided Karina through the bustling bar. The pounding music and chaotic chatter seemed distant and muted, fading into the background as they moved. They made their way to the parking lot, where Wilfred opened the car door, carefully helping Karina into the passenger seat before getting in himself and starting the engine. As Karina buckled her seatbelt, she turned to Wilfred with a look of curiosity. “Dr. Wilfred, didn’t you say you had things to handle at the hospital? How did you get here so quickly?” Wilfred kept his ey
When Karina stepped into the room, one of the men, his gaze hazy from drink, chuckled and said, “Well, so this is the beauty they sent over?”Karina forced herself to stay calm and replied politely, “Good evening, gentlemen. Here’s the drinks you ordered.” She began placing the drinks on the table one by one, hoping to finish quickly. Before she could finish, another man grabbed her wrist and yanked her toward him. “Come, have a few drinks with us, sweetheart.”Karina’s heart raced as she pulled her hand away with force. “Sir, I’m just here to deliver your drinks. I don’t entertain guests.”The men burst into laughter. “What bar do you think you’re in? There’s no such thing as not entertaining here. Don’t play coy, sweetheart. Sit with us, and you’ll be rewarded handsomely.”Fear surged through Karina as she instinctively stepped back, trying to maintain some distance. “I’m really just here for work,” she said, her voice trembling. “Please respect me!”But the men, emboldened
The woman leaned closer to Karina, lowering her voice. “You ruined my fun. The manager and I were having a great time, and you interrupted us. You need to make it up to me.”Karina’s frustration flared. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. The door wasn’t fully closed, and I was only there to talk about resigning.”But the woman wasn’t about to let it go. “I don’t care. You need to make it up to me. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee your night will go smoothly or that you’ll get to leave this job without issues.”Anger surged through Karina. “You’re being unreasonable! I didn’t do anything wrong!”The woman sneered. “In this bar, what I say goes. If you don’t cooperate, I have plenty of ways to make sure you can’t stay.”Karina knew arguing with her in this chaotic environment would only make things worse. But the idea of being bullied like this made her seethe. Taking a deep breath, she tried to stay calm. “What do you want me to do?”The woman’s eyes gleamed with triumph. “It’s simple. Ha
A strikingly glamorous woman sat perched on the manager’s lap, the two locked in a tight embrace, passionately kissing. The scene was nothing short of intimate, their connection palpable.Karina stood awkwardly at the door, caught between stepping in and retreating. She coughed lightly, trying to get their attention.Hearing the sound, the manager gently pushed the woman aside and turned toward the door. His expression showed no embarrassment; instead, he appeared slightly annoyed. “Karina, why didn’t you knock before coming in?”Karina forced a smile, her discomfort evident. “The door wasn’t fully closed. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’m here to talk about resigning.”The manager adjusted his clothes, gesturing for the woman to sit aside. He raised his brows slightly. “Resign? Why the sudden decision to quit?”Karina bit her lip nervously. “It’s for personal reasons. I really can’t continue working here.”The manager leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. A f
Karina froze for a moment, staring at Wilfred's earnest eyes. A wave of mixed emotions swirled within her. She was indeed under immense financial pressure. The entanglements with Kieran and the Stone family had left her utterly drained, and every penny counted. Yet, her pride made it hard for her to accept charity, even from someone like Wilfred. Lowering her head, she softly said, “Thank you for your kindness, Dr. Wilfred, but I can’t accept your money. I’ll work hard and solve this on my own.” Wilfred frowned, stepping closer. He gently tilted her chin upward, compelling her to meet his gaze. “Karina, I understand your concerns. But working in an environment like this, exhausting yourself, and exposing yourself to danger isn’t the solution. It could harm your health and reputation. “I’m not offering charity. I see you as a friend, and I want to help you through this tough time.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and she bit her lip. “But I don’t want to owe yo
He didn’t recognize Wilfred and dismissed him as some young guy trying to play the hero. “Want to play hero? Take a look at yourself first. Get lost, or I’ll call the manager and have you thrown out!” To him, customers were ranked in tiers, and as a VIP who could afford an Ace of Spades, he considered himself in a league far above the average patron. Wilfred’s gaze flicked over him, filled with disdain as though he were looking at a fool. Even the thought of engaging with him felt like a waste of effort. Wilfred turned to Karina and said calmly, “Go get the manager.” “Got it, I’ll be right back.” Karina, understanding the urgency of the situation, didn’t hesitate and dashed toward the bar. Seeing her run off, the man felt his pride take a massive hit, as though he had been publicly humiliated. His face twisted in rage as he swung a fist toward Wilfred. But Wilfred wasn’t just anyone. He had training, and dealing with a drunkard was no challenge at all. The thought
Karina’s expression darkened instantly.Yes, she needed money, and she genuinely wanted to earn it, but she had not fallen to the point of trading her body for cash. She stepped back, keeping her tone polite but firm. “Sir, I’m just a server here. My job is to sell drinks—nothing more.”“Don’t play innocent,” the man sneered, his gaze filled with undisguised contempt. “If you’re working in a place like this, doesn’t that mean you’ll do anything for the right price? Look, I’m not asking for free. If you make us happy tonight, I’ll buy everything on your cart. Don’t believe me? Go ask your manager if he’s heard of Mike Taylor.”Karina forced an awkward smile, grabbing the cart and trying to leave. She had no intention of compromising herself, but she also couldn’t afford to escalate the situation.However, the drunk man, seeing her attempt to walk away, grew angry. He shot to his feet and grabbed her arm, muttering profanities under his breath. “I’m giving you face by choosing you,
In the end, Karina decided to call the police.The officers arrived quickly and brought both of them to the station. After understanding the situation, they began by addressing Kieran. “I have a sister too, so I understand your feelings,” one of the officers said. “But your sister is an adult, and you need to respect her decisions. Plus, you’ve caused a significant disturbance for her neighbors, and this qualifies as a public nuisance.”“I’m really sorry, Officer. I got too emotional because my dad is sick, and I wanted to persuade her to come home,” Kieran replied, his tone remarkably convincing. If Karina hadn’t witnessed his other side herself, she might have believed his performance too. The officer then turned to Karina. “Miss, when a parent falls ill, it’s a serious matter. Even if there are issues within the family, the focus should be on resolving them. You can’t avoid it forever.” Karina quickly came up with an excuse. “It’s not that I don’t want to go back, but I