As Nina spoke, a chill ran through her body. She had considered every possibility, even the idea that someone might have broken into their home to harm Gemma while they were out. But never, not even once, had she suspected a six-year-old child.Yet here she was, holding the evidence that this very child had nearly killed her daughter."What?" Nash was equally stunned. But with the bottle in his hand, there was no denying the reality right in front of him.Compared to the adults, Orion reacted even more strongly. He stormed down the stairs with Gemma’s toy in hand and shoved Hope hard enough to knock her over. She scraped her hand on the floor and began to cry in pain and frustration."How dare you cry?" Orion’s voice was thick with anger. "My sister’s suffering is way worse than a scraped hand. She’s so little, with tubes all over her, and it’s all because of you. Why did you do it?"He couldn’t understand. Hadn’t they treated Hope well enough? Even if they weren’t perfect, did th
Alongside his anger, Orion felt a sharp pang of guilt. His parents had once suggested sending Hope to a welfare home, but he had wanted to keep her because he liked her as a sister. But what he had brought into their home wasn’t a sister, it was someone who could kill.“Get out! Go far away. I never want to see you again!” he shouted, pushing her away when she tried to grab his sleeve. She fell to the ground, landing heavily.Mrs. Watson stepped out of the kitchen holding a cake, and when she saw the scene, she started to go over to help Hope. But before she could get too close, she heard Orion snap, “Stop pretending to be pitiful. You’re so fake and disgusting. You poisoned my sister, and you think I’d feel sorry for you?”Mrs. Watson froze, her eyes widening in disbelief.Poison?She looked at Hope, unable to connect the idea of poisoning with this small child who barely came up to her waist. How could someone so young do something so cruel?Then, out of the corner of her eye
Although she was young, Hope knew the difference between comfort and hardship. In this home, even though they weren’t her blood relatives, everyone treated her kindly. She felt safe here. She could play in the garden without constantly preparing to flee with her family. If they sent her back, she would be alone, wandering the streets. She would never see her family again, especially since she hadn’t completed her mission.As despair sank in, Hope pleaded, “I know I was wrong. I won’t do it again, I swear. Please, let me stay here. I promise I won’t hurt anyone.”She could even accept that Orion might never play with her again, as long as she could stay.“It’s too late for that. I don’t believe you,” Orion said, moving closer to Nina. Last time, he had pleaded on Hope’s behalf. This time, it was the opposite. He shook his head at his parents. “Mom, Dad, please don’t let her stay. I’m afraid she’ll hurt my sister again.”This had happened once, and it could easily happen again.
Quincy’s hand hung in midair, hesitant to reach for Lydia, fearing he might hurt her. “Please, don’t leave. I swear, I’ll never go back there again, no matter what they say or do. I just want to be with you.”“And what about our child?” Lydia grabbed his hand, placing it on her stomach, which was flat and empty.The pain in Quincy’s eyes deepened. Lydia’s heart ached, but she forced herself to continue. “Tell me, where is our child? Can you bring them back? If you could, I wouldn’t care about anything else, not who you’re with or what you do. I’d just want my child back.”For a woman, a child was her life. She would rather face any harm herself than let her child suffer even the slightest misfortune.“Lydia, please don’t talk like this. I only love you. If you’re angry, you can hit me, yell at me or anything. Just don’t say things like that.” Quincy knew that these words wounded her as much as they did him. Lydia had already endured the physical pain of losing a child, and now sh
Mrs. Clinton offered an awkward smile, knowing it wasn’t her place to interfere. After all, this was a matter between husband and wife, and as an outsider, she could only go so far in either encouraging reconciliation or separation. All she could do was fret in silence.“Lydia.” Quincy strode to the doorway. “Maybe some time away will be good for you. When you’re ready to come back, just let me know, and I’ll come get you.”“Are you just dense, or do you think I’m a fool?” Lydia laughed bitterly. “I said I’m leaving for good. I’m not just taking a little break to come back and play house with you. Dream on!”For her, they were done. There was no going back, just like the child they had lost, it was beyond repair.Lydia walked downstairs, dragging her suitcase. Quincy wanted to help, but his hand only grazed the edge of her coat, and in an instant, it slipped away from him. All he could do was watch as Lydia got into a car and drove away, vanishing from his sight.Mrs. Clinton tr
“It’s not happening. Lydia is the only woman I’ll ever have as my wife. I won’t look at anyone else,” Quincy asserted firmly.He hoped that by making his stance clear, his parents might finally back off. He also thought Tiffany would have the decency to realize she was unwelcome.But he had misjudged her.Tiffany kept her eyes glued to him. “Quincy, I don’t mind if you can’t let go of her right now. We’re both young and have plenty of time. I believe that, sooner or later, you’ll come around.“And if anything, the fact that you can’t forget her shows your loyalty. When you finally accept me, I know you’ll be just as devoted to me. We’ll have a great life together.”Her words struck a chord with Mrs. Perez, who took Tiffany’s hand, beaming with approval. Lydia might be a wealthy heiress, but the Perez family wasn’t so desperate that they needed to sell their son’s happiness for money. She wanted Quincy to find someone who truly loved him, someone who would make him happy in a stabl
If Quincy kept listening to his parents, he would be a fool. He would not give them another chance to damage his relationship with Lydia. “Mrs. Clinton, see them out,” he ordered firmly.“Quincy! I’m your mother. How can you just throw me out like this?” Mrs. Perez’s face turned pale with shock and anger.Tiffany’s eyes filled with tears as she played the victim. “If you don’t want to see me, I’ll go. But please don’t take it out on your parents. They really love and care about you, or else they wouldn’t be so involved in your life.”Which parent doesn’t love their child? Quincy had never denied this before. But after drinking that drugged tea, his perspective shifted. Yes, they loved him, but not enough. Their love was overshadowed by their desire to control him and dictate his life. Otherwise, how could they have been so ruthless?“Mrs. Clinton, I won’t say it again. See them out.” With that, Quincy turned and walked back into the house, leaving Mrs. Clinton to face the three
If Tiffany and Quincy had engaged in a romantic encounter, Mrs. Perez was confident she could pressure him into marriage. After all, Quincy had just lost a child. If Tiffany were to get pregnant now, how could he remain indifferent? And even if she didn’t conceive, they could always pay off a doctor to forge a pregnancy test. By the time Quincy discovered the truth, the marriage would already be sealed. Would he really divorce her over it?“No,” Tiffany replied, biting her lip and shaking her head. Despite the effects of the drug, she had tried everything and still couldn’t seduce him. Quincy’s heart was clearly set on Lydia. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have resisted so steadfastly, refusing even to touch her.Mrs. Perez’s expression darkened. “I used a heavy dose. There’s no way it didn’t have any effect. What on earth happened between you two?”Tiffany flushed and briefly recounted what transpired. Mrs. Perez sucked in a sharp breath.Lydia had clearly bewitched him to the point
Most of the people nearby didn’t know what had happened. They simply listened to the man’s loud retorts and, judging by his confidence, began to cast skeptical glances at Jamie.“She looks so young. Why is she acting paranoid? How ridiculous.”“I don’t think it’s paranoia, it’s overconfidence. They say too much confidence is a sickness, and she clearly needs treatment.”“Oh, come on. I think she’s actually really pretty. Why are you all so hostile toward her? Honestly, the guy could’ve been snooping like she said. She did mention it was about her documents.”Hearing at least one voice defending her warmed Jamie’s heart. She turned and gave a smile to the young woman who had spoken up.The young woman froze for a moment, her face unexpectedly turning red. Embarrassed, she quickly looked down, pretending to sip her milk tea.Jamie didn’t linger on the moment. She refocused her attention on the man, her tone calm but firm. “I never said you were staring at me. You were clearly tryin
The girl's death was caused by her being forced to run laps despite being on her period. She had requested to be excused, but the teacher denied her request. Left with no choice, she pushed through, only to suffer a severe hemorrhage. She wasn’t treated in time and tragically passed away.The school defended itself, claiming the blame didn’t rest solely on them. They argued the girl and her family bore significant responsibility. After all, they reasoned, no one else had any issues during the drills. Why was it only her?Jamie’s frustration boiled over as she read through the case materials. “A school this shameless actually exists!”Ben tried to calm her. “Take it easy.”She took a deep breath, then sighed after a long pause. “You’re right. There are too many cases like this.”The idea of valuing a life at a mere $5,000 sounded absurd, but it wasn’t uncommon in reality. Examples of such injustices were everywhere, stemming from the lack of clear legal protections.“And that’s no
“Whose legal documents are these?” one of the investigators asked.“They’re mine,” Jamie replied. “I’ve been using them to prepare for a competition.”After she explained the situation, the investigator handed the documents back to her and issued a warning, emphasizing that such legal materials should not be present within the company. With that, they left.The man, clearly stunned, called after them, his voice rising with disbelief. “Did you even check properly? He’s a lawyer! How can a lawyer run a company as its president? Isn’t that against the rules?” The officials followed the direction of his finger and turned to look at Ben. Their expressions shifted into something between amusement and confusion, as though the man had asked an absurd question. “His law license was revoked a long time ago,” one of them stated plainly. The man froze, then shouted in denial, “That’s impossible!” “Why would it be impossible?” The official frowned, his tone growing stern. “When his l
Ben wouldn’t let Jamie fight his battles for him.He pulled her behind him, shielding her, and addressed the crowd with a cold expression. “If that’s the case, let’s have the authorities investigate.”Jamie stared at him, stunned.She understood the saying, “A clear conscience fears no accusation.” As long as Ben had nothing to hide, there was no reason to be afraid. But these people weren’t here for the truth, they were looking for trouble. It was likely orchestrated by their defeated opponents, timed to create chaos. Even if nothing incriminating was found, the media would seize the opportunity to smear them.Ben was doing this for her, disregarding himself completely.She was touched, but also anxious. She wanted to pull him back.However, Ben wasn’t budging this time. His warm but firm hand enveloped hers, silently telling her not to stop him.“What’s the matter? Afraid?” Ben asked, his hands casually in his pockets, raising an eyebrow with a hint of defiance.The loudest
“There’s a surveillance camera overhead, just so you know,” Ben said coldly, his gaze sharp as a blade. “I get it that you’re here to stick up for Summer. But let me be clear: whatever happened between the Lucas family and the Larson family is none of your business.”He held up the empty glass, his tone unwavering. “That drink was a warning. Don’t even think about testing my limits.”Jamie was his limit—his bottom line. He wouldn’t allow anyone to harm or disrespect her.Lila’s voice rang out, dripping with mockery as she addressed the gathering crowd. “Did everyone hear that? He’s threatening me with a drink as a ‘warning.’ Anyone here would agree this behavior is out of line. And all because I said a few words?“Ben Lucas, someone like you will get what’s coming to you!” Lila snapped, her voice sharp and bitter. “Doesn’t anyone wonder why someone who was doing so well as a lawyer suddenly gave it all up to become a CEO? Doesn’t everyone know lawyers aren’t supposed to engage in b
Jamie and Ben didn’t care about anyone else’s opinions.“You really think you and Ben can last?” The woman’s tone dripped with disdain. “Don’t forget, your statuses are worlds apart. If Ben didn’t care, why would he keep bringing you to events like these? Clearly, he does care.”Jamie noticed the woman’s provocative glare. Her elegance and poise were unmistakable, but her words revealed a heart filled with malice.With a calm but cutting tone, Jamie responded, “Even if Ben does care, that’s his business, not yours. And let’s be honest, you’d never have the courage to say this in front of him, would you? So, what’s the point of saying it to me?”Jamie didn’t even bother to take the woman seriously. Her relationship with Ben was her own, and she knew better than anyone how much he valued her.The woman sneered. “Oh, trust me, I’d say it to his face. But I assumed you had some self-awareness. Clearly, I was mistaken. You’re pathetic, Jamie.”With that, she spun on her heels and walk
“I was with Nash and the others today,” Ben said as he leaned back into the couch. “Jamie, tomorrow I want to take you to an exclusive high-society gala. If there’s anything you want or need for the occasion, just let me know.”For Jamie, the idea of attending such events held little appeal. What truly mattered to her was simply being by Ben’s side. Yet, Ben seemed determined to introduce her to this world, using his connections and influence to elevate her standing and help her thrive.But Jamie’s heart leaned toward a simpler life, one focused on family and the small joys within their home.“You’ve already given me everything I could ever want—friends, a safe life, love. I don’t feel drawn to these events. Can I skip this one?” she asked gently. Spending time with Charlie and bringing him over to play with Orion sounded like a better plan.Ben’s gaze softened. “If you really don’t want to go, I’ll respect your choice. But skipping out might not look great. There will be more occa
As soon as Ben spoke, Caleb and Hunter gave him exaggerated thumbs-up. “Married with a kid, and you’re still feeling lost? You’re a real genius,” Caleb teased.Nash patted Ben on the shoulder, his tone reassuring. “You’ve got a kid now, no need to overthink it. Just do your best for her. Besides, wasn’t Jamie doing great last time she was with Nina?”Ben paused, reflecting on Jamie’s recent state. Ever since she had started focusing on what she truly wanted, stepping back from exhausting tasks, she seemed much more at ease and full of life.Caleb said, “I’m heading out of town next month for a conference. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t even be here today.”“I’m flying abroad tomorrow,” Hunter added quickly.Clearly, this meetup was a rare opportunity to gather before everyone got busy again.Nash glanced at the two of them with a smirk. “And you two have the nerve to tease Ben? What about you guys? When are you settling down and having kids?“Don’t tell me, by the time our k
The senior judge on the panel smiled warmly and said, “Attorney Lewis, your defense was exceptional. Your understanding and application of legal principles left a lasting impression. Your arguments were clear, your logic airtight, and you provided a fresh perspective on this case.”Other judges nodded in agreement, offering Jamie high praise for her performance. As the competition concluded, Jamie stepped off the stage to the sound of applause from the audience. Her confidence had carried her through, but the moment was disrupted by an unexpected outburst. Attorney Gray, the female lawyer she had just defeated, clenched her fists and blurted, “This is unfair!”Her microphone was still live, and her voice echoed throughout the venue, silencing the room. “This case was obviously easier for you to argue,” Attorney Gray continued. “You have connections—this is favoritism! Why hasn’t the competition been stopped despite all the online rumors?” The remark caused a ripple of mur