Lydia knew this was exactly the kind of thing her parents would do. She didn’t ask Eugene to leave, but she also didn’t engage with him. Instead, she walked to the window and stared out at the busy streets below, ignoring his constant chatter behind her.It wasn’t until he brought up her parents again that she finally listened. “Lydia, even though you’re married, you’re still their daughter. Do you really think they’d ignore what’s happening with you? They know everything about you and Quincy, including that you’re staying at this hotel, which actually has shares owned by your family.”Lydia blinked, surprised. She quickly checked her phone and, sure enough, found that her family held a one percent stake in the hotel chain. It wasn’t enough to influence management, but it would certainly allow them to access the guest list easily.So she had misjudged Eugene after all. Lydia turned around and apologized, “I’m sorry. I jumped to conclusions. But there’s no future for us, and I just
If it weren’t for Nash’s help behind the scenes, Quincy wouldn’t have had what it took to start a company, much less achieve his current success. In the past, Lydia had been so devoted to him that no matter how much Eugene wanted to intervene, he had no chance. But now that Quincy’s own actions had created a crack in that love, Eugene was confident he could widen that crack until it finally shattered completely.---At the embassy, Hope had cried the entire drive, but it hadn’t swayed Nina or Nash in the slightest. When the car came to a stop, Nina stepped out and turned back to take Hope from the car.“No, I don’t want to get out!” Hope clung tightly to the seatbelt, her small hands marked with red welts from the effort. Her wide eyes overflowed with tears, which slid down her cheeks and soaked into her clothes. “Please, take me home. You said I was part of the family, so why are you abandoning me so quickly?”Nina almost laughed at the absurdity of it. Even now, Hope was tr
Hope struggled with all her might, but being so small, she was held firmly by the staff. No matter how much she kicked, her feet didn’t reach the ground. She could only watch as Nina and Nash walked away with Orion, leaving her behind.Though they had finally sent Hope away, Nina and Nash still felt a lingering unease.“It’s over now. Try not to dwell on it. How about some music to help us relax?” Nash suggested, breaking the silence.Nina nodded. “Play anything.”As Nash inserted the car key, the dashboard screen flickered to life. Instead of music, an image of a masked man dressed in black appeared, his face fully covered except for his eyes, which stared at Nash with a defiant gleam.“Who are you?” Nash’s expression turned icy.It was clear this man was somehow tied to Hope.The masked man didn’t respond right away. Instead, he laughed for a moment before speaking. “Nash, I thought you had two kids. So why is there only one in the car? Is it that you didn’t want to bring the
"A trivial person. You don't need to worry about him. Your dad and I will handle it," Nina assured, determined to keep Orion out of it. He was just a child, deserving a happy and carefree childhood, free from adult complications.But Orion didn't see it that way. "Mom, Dad, we’re a family. Is there anything I can do to help? I want to do whatever I can.""Taking care of yourself is the biggest help you can give us," Nina replied, giving his cheek a gentle squeeze. "Your dad and I will make sure you’re safe."She would protect both of her children, and as for the masked man, Nash would figure out his identity. Now, it was time for them to go home.“I know you can do it, Mom and Dad!” Orion said with a big smile. Once he was buckled in, Nash began driving home.……Back at the Fay residence.Since her parents had shown up at the hotel, Lydia had officially moved back in with them. Mrs. Fay was now constantly reminding the housekeeper, “Make extra nutritious dishes and ensure Lydia
But as parents, they all want their daughter to find someone with better prospects. Quincy’s startup may be showing some promise, but that was largely due to Nash’s support. If Nash ever decided to withdraw his help, or if Quincy succeeded and then decided to discard Lydia after using her, Lydia would be left devastated. This fear had been lingering in Mrs. Fay’s mind for a while, but the bond between Lydia and Quincy was so strong that, despite her concerns, she hadn’t intervened. But after seeing them fight, she felt more convinced than ever that Quincy wasn’t the right man for her daughter.“There’s no way I’d go back to him. I saw him with another woman. If I reconciled with him now, I’d be making a fool of myself,” Lydia said, shaking her head.Mrs. Fay had initially thought it was just a simple fight, but now, hearing this, her expression darkened. “Oh, he’s got some nerve, doesn’t he? If he’s already running around with other women, who’s to say he won’t do worse once he’s
As they descended the stairs, they spotted Mrs. Fay seated on the couch, watching TV.“Good morning, Mrs. Fay,” Eugene greeted her politely.She looked up, and the more she observed her prospective son-in-law, the more she approved of him. But when her gaze shifted to Lydia, concern immediately clouded her face. “Lydia, yesterday you didn’t have dark circles, and now they’re so noticeable. Did you not sleep at all last night?”It made sense, she thought. Lydia and Quincy had been deeply in love. Divorce wouldn’t be easy, and while she felt her daughter’s pain, Mrs. Fay knew it was better to get it over with now rather than prolong the hurt. She couldn’t let a moment of sympathy pull Lydia back into that painful situation.“No, Mom, I slept fine. I just forgot to close the window, got a bit cold, and had trouble falling back asleep,” Lydia fibbed, hoping to put her mom at ease.But a mother knows her daughter best. Mrs. Fay saw through the excuse but chose not to call her out. “It’
Lydia didn’t say a word, merely lowering her head in silence. She had always loved children. When she first found out she was pregnant, she had been so excited. But now, the child was gone, her beloved husband was gone, and the happiness she once felt seemed like an illusion. Just one touch and it shattered, leaving nothing but broken pieces.“I’m sorry, Lydia. I shouldn’t have brought that up. Sometimes I just don’t think. I can’t believe I said something so thoughtless…” Eugene’s voice grew increasingly panicked, and before Lydia could react, he raised his hand to slap himself.As he prepared for a second slap, Lydia quickly grabbed his hand, shaking her head. “Don’t do that. I’m not blaming you. It’s not your fault.”After all, it wasn’t Eugene who had caused her to lose the baby. And he hadn’t said anything that terrible. She knew she couldn’t expect everyone to avoid mentioning children around her just because of what she had gone through.“But I worry you’re bottling it all
Quincy felt utterly defeated. He and Lydia had genuinely loved each other and had both invested in their relationship. How did he end up being compared to a total simp?"Lydia never did anything to betray me. If anyone was in the wrong, it was me. But Mom, drugging your own son? That’s something only you could do." Quincy turned and looked at his mother, lying there in the hospital bed.The bitterness and frustration in his heart were almost overwhelming. He still couldn’t come to terms with the fact that his own mother had drugged him. But she was sick, and as her son, he couldn’t just bring up old grievances or walk away while she lay there unwell. So, he buried everything deep down, though it made him feel suffocated.Mabel hadn’t heard about the drugging incident. She glanced at Mrs. Perez, clearly shocked. When they had asked for her help, they hadn’t mentioned that little detail.Mrs. Perez started to cough violently. Tiffany quickly stepped forward, gently patting her back
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