“Who are you? This hospital hallway has plenty of cameras. I’m warning you to watch yourself and don’t go bullying women in public!” Ryan rolled up his sleeves, ready to step in.Ben wasn’t the least bit intimidated. He had been into fitness since college, initially because Jamie liked men with abs, and eventually, it just became a habit. He loved the intense, sweaty workouts, and facing off against someone like Ryan barely registered as a challenge.“Don’t fight, please!” Jamie quickly stepped between them. She turned to Ryan. “I know him. Please, just go.”“But he was about to hurt you right in front of me, no less. If he’s this rough now, imagine what he’d do if I left!” Ryan protested, refusing to back down.Every word he said only added fuel to Ben’s already raging anger.Ben’s jaw clenched so tightly his teeth ground together. He had canceled a meeting, sped through traffic, and run countless red lights, all in a rush to make sure Jamie was safe. And what did he find? Jami
But Ben’s sharp tongue didn’t let up, and within a few cutting remarks, he had Jamie feeling utterly humiliated.She tried to explain, “There’s really nothing between us. We just ran into each other today and talked for a bit.”Ben cut her off before she could finish, “Oh really? Then it just shows you’ve been surrounded by men for the past four years. A woman like you probably wouldn’t even know who the father is if you were pregnant.”Jamie’s body tensed at his words. He could insult her, but she wouldn’t allow him to bring her child into it.“Ben, I’ve only ever been with you. If I’m pregnant, the child would only be…”“Are you trying to say the child is mine?” he challenged, staring directly into her eyes. “I remember asking you, the night before you left, what you would do if you got pregnant. You told me, without a second thought, that you’d abort it.”Back then, he had been thinking that if she were pregnant, they would get married. He was ready to defy his parents if need
But Winnie was pregnant and needed regular checkups to minimize any risks. Jamie continued, “And Winnie always praises how considerate you are, She even mentioned that you personally found her doctor for the prenatal exams. But now you’re saying this… Aren’t you worried she might overhear?”“If I don’t mind her discovering our relationship, do you really think I’d care about that?” Ben replied, full of confidence. “Even if she finds out everything, she’ll still stay with me.”Jamie knew him well enough to understand that he never made claims unless he was sure. If he was saying this so confidently, it meant he believed he had Winnie completely in his grip.A wave of dizziness hit Jamie. “I did what you asked last night, and I’ll go along with whatever you want tonight as well. I…”“I’m a lawyer, not a collector of cast-offs. Especially ones with a clear price tag of over $10,000. What are you lined with, gold or diamonds?” Ben interrupted again, his words laced with cruelty.But
The doctor called over a nearby nurse. “Christine, please accompany this gentleman to the payment desk to check the details.”This nurse happened to be the one overseeing Charlie’s room. She already felt sympathy for Jamie and her son, and now, assuming Ben was Charlie’s father, she couldn’t help but share Jamie’s hardships with him. “She’s been raising her sick child alone, working multiple jobs just to cover his medical bills. It’s really not easy for her.”“I even suggested she upgrade to a VIP room. The room has two beds, one for a family member to rest. But she turned it down because the VIP rooms are too expensive.”Ben’s heart twisted as he listened. So, this was how Jamie had been living all these years.And this child—who was his father? Could it possibly be his own?No, that couldn’t be. Jamie had left him years ago for the sake of money, cutting him off entirely, severing every line of contact. She had left so coldly. How could she possibly have kept his child?Before
Ben couldn’t help but be amused by the little boy’s suspicion. An idea struck him, and he pulled up an old photo on his phone, showing it to Charlie. “Look, isn’t this your mom in the picture?”Charlie glanced at the screen and nodded.“Now you believe me, right? I really know your mom.”Charlie hesitated. “But… photos can be edited too. How do I know this one’s real?”Ben was taken aback. “You’re pretty young to know about things like that.”He hadn’t considered just how much Jamie, a single woman raising a child, might have gone through. People had likely tried to deceive her and Charlie countless times. It was no surprise the boy was so wary.“I even have a video here,” Ben offered, scrolling through his album. “See for yourself. If it were fake, you’d notice.”Charlie finally started to relax. Since this man really did know his mother, he figured he didn’t need to be so guarded.Answering Ben’s earlier question, Charlie said, “I don’t have a dad.”“Not at all?”“Nope. He
They had only been apart for four years, and the child was already over three. If the child were his, Jamie wouldn’t be so hesitant to speak up. Maybe, just maybe, she had left him back then because she was already carrying someone else’s child.“So who is the father?” Ben pressed, his tone cold. “Was it the guy you were just flirting with, or someone else?”Jamie couldn’t answer. She remained silent.Ben’s patience was wearing thin. “If you care so much about your son and don’t want him to see his mother humiliated, then just tell me the truth! Why are you so unwilling?”Could it be that the father’s identity was truly shameful? Was she involved with a married man?As he continued to speculate, Charlie, lying in bed, spoke up, “Mom, Uncle, what are you talking about?”“Oh, nothing, honey. This is just a friend of mine, and we’re talking about work,” Jamie replied with a forced smile, trying to keep things light for her son. Charlie had enough struggles with his illness—he didn’t
“Is she still dreaming, not facing reality?” Ben thought.“No, please… he’s just a child, he doesn’t understand. Don’t hold anything he said against him,” Jamie shook her head repeatedly, desperation in her voice. Her only wish now was to stay as far from Ben as possible, never to see him again. She didn’t want any connection to him, least of all his help.Charlie looked at them, utterly confused.“I’m heading back to the office now, but in three hours, I’ll be home to wrap up this case,” Ben said, turning to Jamie with an intense gaze. “I expect to see you there when I return. If not…well, I know which hospital room your son is in. And don’t forget your sister, either. Just where do you think you could hide?”With that, he left, satisfied. Until now, he had only had one piece of leverage over Jamie. Now he had two.As Ben walked out of the room, he opened his hand to reveal a single strand of hair, plucked from the root. Though he knew the chances were slim that Charlie was his
"Madam, Mr. Ben Lucas has already gone to conduct a paternity test," the butler continued his report.At this, Mrs. Lucas swept the teacup off the table, smashing it to pieces on the floor with a sharp crack."Well, isn't this just perfect," she sneered. "Once the results are out, I bet Jamie will be dragging that sick child into our home, demanding marriage!"Mrs. Lucas had never thought highly of her. Jamie came from a humble background. What support could she bring to the Lucas family? Her genes weren’t desirable either. She had a sickly child who needed extensive medical treatment even at a young age.It wasn’t that the Lucas family couldn’t afford medical expenses, but Ben was supposed to be the family’s heir. Was she expected to welcome a frail child as the future eldest grandson of the Lucas family? Unthinkable.She commanded, frowning, "I don’t care if this child is Ben’s or not. The paternity test must say he isn’t. If you fail, consider your position here finished."
If Liam had been a normal person, Hunter never would have sent her here in the first place. But of course, Yelena could only think that. She wasn’t suicidal enough to say it out loud. Instead, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. “I was really just messaging an old classmate. If you don’t believe me, go ahead—check my phone.” She wasn’t worried. Whenever she contacted Hunter, she deleted each message immediately. She had even forged an entire fake conversation just in case Liam ever got suspicious. So, no matter how thoroughly he checked, there would be nothing for him to find. Liam narrowed his eyes. “Is that so? Then why do I still feel like you’re lying? Women like you—nothing but liars, every last one of you.” Then, he struck her again. Yelena screamed. The pain was relentless, merciless. She had no idea how long it lasted—only that by the time he finally stopped, she was barely breathing. Her body slumped against the floor
Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind Yelena. She spun around, her heart hammering in her chest. Liam was walking toward her, a faint smile on his lips—but the coldness in his eyes told a different story. Memories of his past cruelty flashed through her mind, sending a shudder down her spine. She forced herself to stay calm. “Who are you messaging?” He was getting closer. So close that when he finally stopped, they were nearly pressed against each other. Then, without warning, his fingers clamped around her chin, gripping tighter and tighter. Pain shot through her jaw, and Yelena winced. “No one. Just an old classmate. I ran into her a few days ago while I was out.” “Oh? Is that so?” Liam’s voice softened, almost gentle. To anyone watching, he might have seemed like a kind, easygoing man. But Yelena knew better. He would never let her off that easily. And sure enough— In the next second, he grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her hea
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.“Haven’t I been just fine lately?“Or do you think my hand isn’t injured enough? If that’s the case, go ahead—do it yourself. “You already know I wouldn’t fight back no matter what.” Without warning, Yelena stretched out her injured hand, an act that instantly enraged Liam. “What the hell is wrong with you?” He snapped. “I was just making a casual remark. Is that really what you think of me? I already told you—I’m not going to lay a hand on you.“It wasn’t intentional before, and you know it. We both do. Stop acting like you’re above all this when we both know who sent you here.” Yelena felt a pang of sadness. They had spent so much time together, yet this was how he treated her—always choosing to hurt her. “I know—I wasn’t someone you chose, and none of this was intentional. But after all this time we've spent together...“I thought maybe I was a little different to you. But I guess I was wrong. Nothing has changed at all.
“Why do you even care about what happens to other people? Haven’t I made myself clear enough already?“Whose card is this—yours or mine?” His assistant immediately apologized upon hearing Caleb’s tone. “I hope you won’t hold this against me. I really wasn’t thinking clearly at the time—I should have considered this more carefully.” Caleb didn’t bother responding. After hanging up, he focused entirely on investigating Vera’s brother. *Meanwhile, Vera was deeply worried. If things had been somewhat under control before, now they were completely off track. The situation on both sides was far more complicated than she had anticipated. “Don’t worry. That’s exactly how it is. If you don’t want to go in person, I can go for you—but it won’t be cheap,” the private investigator said.Since Caleb had warned her about the private investigator, Vera started testing him, probing for inconsistencies. And sure enough, his story had too many holes. “Why are you so sure my b
As Caleb spoke, he looked at Vera with a hint of helplessness. After all, her hand had been injured because of Luna. “Don’t feel guilty about this. Honestly, it’s nothing to me.“And I’m not the type to carry burdens over things like this.“Besides, it’s been so long. If this had happened back then, I might have cared. But now? I just don’t think it matters anymore.” Vera’s voice was steady and sincere. But Caleb’s expression darkened. “Why would you say that? Why do you think it doesn’t matter? Do you really see me as just the same as everyone else?” For some reason, at this moment, Caleb took it personally. Vera couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course not. You’re different from the rest—so obviously, I wouldn’t see it the same way.“You’ve helped me so much. The least I can do is acknowledge that, instead of stubbornly nitpicking about what’s right or wrong, don’t you think?“Besides, whatever happened between you and Luna, that’s none of my business. It’s in
“I didn’t mean to just now. Besides, you’ve been acting all sneaky lately—so really, who else is to blame?” Seeing Yelena in tears, Liam, who had been furious just moments ago, felt a small pang of guilt. He was never good at expressing emotions. But watching her like this made him a little uncomfortable. “Go get your hand treated. Otherwise, people who don’t know any better might think I’ve been abusing you.” With that, he turned and walked away. Yelena watched his retreating figure, feeling a bit helpless. This wasn’t something she could decide on her own. Installing surveillance? It wasn’t as easy as it sounded. Liam was naturally suspicious. If he caught wind of it, the consequences would be disastrous. But she had no choice. She had a mission to complete, and there was more at stake than just this moment. Letting out a deep sigh, she finally decided to head to a clinic to get her hand treated. *“What happened to you? That’s a serious injury. You
And just like that, the conversation fell into a brief silence. Meanwhile, on the other side, Hunter received a call from Yelena. “What did you just say?” Yelena told him that her hand was broken, and on top of that, Liam seemed to be getting suspicious. She wasn’t sure what to do, so she called Hunter for advice. “I don’t really care what happens to you, but at the very least, take care of yourself.“Otherwise, if something else goes wrong later, I’ll have to step in and clean up the mess. Don’t you think so?” Hearing this, Yelena was a little taken aback. “It’s not just about my injury. The real problem is, I’m scared of what he might do now.” Sure, she had taken the two hundred thousand dollars, but she had to stay alive to spend it. At this rate, she wouldn’t even make it through in one piece. “I already told you—protect yourself. If you need anything else, I’ll try to provide it. But right now, I need you to do something for me.” Hunter had been look
“Yes, it’s in that mountain area. If you’re worried, you can go check it out yourself. But as for anything else, we don’t really have much more information.”Compared to everything else, this was the most baffling situation.“You make a good point. But given the current circumstances, I think it’ll be difficult to pull off.”Vera was speaking with the private investigator. Deep down, she was more worried than anything else.“Don’t worry,” the private investigator reassured her. “Aside from what we discussed earlier, nothing else seems too extreme. Plus, we’ve already looked into it pretty thoroughly.”By the time he finished speaking, his expression had grown more complicated.“Alright. I understand.”After hanging up, she anxiously looked straight ahead. If she had been mentally prepared before, now she was starting to feel uneasy. “What’s going on?” Caleb asked while driving, glancing at her. Vera hesitated, debating whether to tell him or not. But seeing the strange
“I only had one surgery today,” Caleb said as he drove, his voice calm but firm. “Now that it’s done, I want to know why this happened.” After that, he said nothing more. Vera sat in silence, her heart uneasy as the car pulled up in front of an upscale club. Even though her hand was already bandaged, she still felt a sting of pain every time Caleb showed concern. “So this is what it feels like to have someone care,” she thought to herself.Back when Vera had been stepped on, her only concern had been the contract—whether the deal would fall apart and if her suffering had been for nothing.If it had been anything else, she probably wouldn’t have cared as much.But Caleb’s concern made it impossible for her to brush aside.It kept lingering in her mind, refusing to let her feel indifferent.“Don’t overthink it,” Caleb said, his voice firm. “Whatever happened between Luna and me doesn’t change the fact that this concerns me too—and I owe it to you to make things right.”