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
“I know you’re a good person, but Eugene, why waste so much time on me?” Lydia continued shaking her head. “There’s no future for us together.”She had no feelings for him beyond friendship. That was all they could ever be.“You still can’t get over Quincy.”“It’s not like that. It’s completely over between us.”“If it’s really over, then why not give me a chance? Lydia, you’re still young. Do you really plan to spend your life alone because of one worthless man?” Eugene pressed, refusing to back down.Growing up, he had always gotten what he wanted, and he was determined to have Lydia, too.Lydia didn’t know how to explain it to him. Maybe it was better to let him think what he wanted.She said nothing, effectively allowing him to believe he was right.“Lydia, you’re really not thinking clearly. If you had a child together and didn’t want to remarry for the child’s sake, I’d understand. But now, there’s nothing left between you two.” Eugene’s gaze dropped to her stomach.He w
"I’m definitely on your side. We can’t let Quincy stay blind to the truth, but you also need to think about your health. If you push yourself too hard and get sick, won’t that tear our family apart?" Mr. Perez continued to reassure her.He couldn’t bear it if his wife fell ill, especially if it was their son who had driven her to that point.Mrs. Perez was about to respond when an idea struck her. She quickly pulled him down to sit beside her. "I just thought of something. Quincy doesn’t want to see us now, but if I were in the hospital, say in the ICU, would he really ignore me?"“You can’t joke around with your health like that,” Mr. Perez replied immediately, rejecting the idea. The ICU was for serious cases, and he couldn’t let his wife fake such a thing.She slapped her thigh in frustration. “You’re so rigid. Does someone have to actually be sick to get into the ICU? As long as we have money, we can arrange anything we need.”All she wanted was to use the ICU as a ruse to bri
“Now that you’ve said that, I’m relieved,” Mrs. Perez replied, her smile deepening. She might not understand why Lydia was so set on disrupting her son’s life, but Lydia was, after all, the Fay family’s precious daughter, pampered from a young age. With opposition from the in-laws, Mabel and Tiffany waiting in the wings, Mrs. Perez was curious to see how stubborn Lydia could be. How long would she keep trying to be part of the Perez family?---Meanwhile, Lydia was feeling crushed but unwilling to return home. After all, she had gone against her parents’ wishes to marry Quincy, and she still remembered every word she had said in their defense. Going back now would feel like admitting she had been wrong.What she didn’t expect was her parents driving all the way to the hotel to find her. When she heard the knock, Lydia thought it was just her takeout. But when she opened the door, there stood her parents and Eugene behind them.“What are you doing here?” she asked, surprised.
Lydia didn’t hesitate before refusing. “Mom, I just separated from Quincy and came here to clear my head for a few days. How can you expect me to jump into another marriage already? I’m not ready.”Even if she were considering moving on, it would take time, and right now, she had no intention of starting something new. She didn’t have feelings for Eugene and didn’t want to remarry.“Lydia, I understand where you’re coming from, but you’re staying alone in a hotel, eating takeout. How can we be at ease knowing that?” Mrs. Fay tried to reason with her daughter. She would rather see Lydia supported by Eugene than dealing with her heartbreak alone. At least then, Lydia would have someone to lean on.Mr. Fay added, “Eugene truly cares about you. You just can’t see who genuinely has your best interests at heart. If you push him away now, what will you do if you lose that chance?”The Fays certainly had the means to support Lydia for the rest of her life, and they wouldn’t mind doing so
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