Nina went downstairs and found reporters conducting interviews at the entrance. Lily and the others were tearfully recounting their ordeal while being surrounded by cameras. Sue's eyes were swollen from crying as she addressed the lens, saying, "Thank you all for your concern. With your support, I believe justice will be served soon!""What justice?" Nina approached with a stern face, disliking their dramatic display. She questioned them directly, saying, "Do you think shedding a few tears in public will make me afraid? Do you believe you can manipulate me?"They all turned to look as Nina fearlessly approached. Realizing the situation, Lily immediately burst into hysterical tears and pointed at Nina, saying, "Nina, you have no conscience! I'm your aunt, yet you're so heartless and indifferent to our plight. Since you were young, we've treated you like our own and have never mistreated you. How could you treat us like this?""Nina," Sue said, looking directly at her. "Have you sud
Sue added, "Yes, my parents scraped together every penny for my education because of my cousin."In their desperate pursuit of victory, they no longer cared about making sense."Heartless beast!""Shameless scum!"Suddenly, eggs were hurled at Nina, landing right in front of her.Nina glanced over and saw a group of twelve people at the gate, holding eggs and vegetable leaves, all throwing them in her direction.She quickly raised her hands to shield herself.Witnessing this, the security personnel rushed to intervene."Why are you protecting her? She's just a heartless widow who breaks up other people's families! A mere secretary, nothing more than a mistress to others!" one of the egg-throwers shouted.Nina realized that the situation was more serious than she had expected, and it seemed that they had come prepared. When Lily arrived at her door with people throwing things at her, it appeared to be orchestrated.Looking at Lily's smug expression, it was clear that she wante
Not far away, an angry voice could be heard. Julia pushed the wheelchair with Zion sitting in it, clearly enraged.Nina was taken aback. "Dad, how did you get here?"Meanwhile, Lily believed that targeting Nina would solve everything, but she didn't expect Zion to show up. When she saw him, her face turned pale. "Zion..."Zion looked at her sternly. "How dare you bully my daughter. Of course, I had to come! Lily, I always thought you were just a little petty, with some flaws, but I never expected you to be this cruel. You slandered my daughter in front of the media. How could you be so heartless?""But, brother... I didn't...," Lily tried to explain. "I didn't slander her. I just said Nina doesn't respect me as her aunt!"Zion frowned, refusing to listen to any explanation. "What does Nina's reputation mean to you? You see it as nothing more than a tool for your own benefit! Since you want everyone to know, then let them know how many unethical things your family has done!"Lily
Nina harbored suspicions and inquired, "Who was it?"Lily froze momentarily. "I don't know her name. I didn't have the chance to ask. She's a young lady. I was so foolish. How could I believe the words of a stranger?"Realizing she had been deceived, she cried even harder. Meanwhile, Sue couldn't bear the onslaught of insults from online users. Her face pale, she exclaimed, "I'm ruined! No company will hire me for an internship now. Nina, please help me. I won't go to York Corporation for the internship. Please clear my name. I'm not that malicious. How will I face people or find work in the future?"Both Lily and Sue pleaded with Nina for assistance."Nina, I beg you. If not for me, then for your cousin. I'll kneel if I have to!" Lily understood the gravity of the situation and was willing to humble herself for her daughter's sake.Nina remained silent. Being kind to others also meant being cruel to herself.Witnessing their despair, Julia pulled them away. "Don't kneel. It's as
That person resembled someone she knew. She didn't want to make assumptions, but she desired to approach and gain clarity. As she drew closer to the roadside, someone seized her hand."Nina, please forgive me this time. I promise not to harm you again. I realize I was wrong!" Lily was terrified of being apprehended by the police and ending up in jail. If Nina pardoned her, she could avoid that fate. So, she pleaded with her."Let go of me." Nina still yearned to pursue the person who was moving further away. She shook off Lily's grasp.Lily clung tightly, tears welling in her eyes. "Even if you don't care about me, at least consider your uncle and the Walker family. If we both land in trouble, what will your uncle do?""Nina!" Sue knelt in front of Nina. "Please forgive me. I haven't graduated yet, and I don't want to go to jail. I'm about to start an internship, and no company will want me in this situation. I don't want to be looked down upon. I'm your cousin. Can't you release m
Nina waited anxiously outside the operating room, concerned about Nash's well-being. The nail had deeply embedded itself and required surgery for removal. Her main worry was whether any organs had been injured.Julia arrived and asked, "How's Nash?" with a worried expression."He's still in surgery," Nina replied."This Lily is causing trouble, hurting my son-in-law!" Julia exclaimed.Zion remained silent, waiting patiently by the side.Finally, the doctor emerged from the operating room."How is he, doctor?" Julia asked, filled with concern."The nail has been successfully removed. Don't worry, no vital organs were harmed. He'll be discharged after a few days of rest," the doctor reassured.Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.Nina's anxiety started to subside as well.After what happened, Nina couldn't shake off the guilt she felt for Nash's injury. He was still unconscious and had been moved to a regular ward. Nina sat outside, lost in her thoughts. Nash had sel
Sally snorted, her tone filled with coldness. "I'm only doing this for the sake of my son. What good does it do for him to marry your daughter? It's just cleaning up your mess. Besides burdening Nash, what else can your family offer?"Nina interrupted Sally, her expression equally cold. "That's enough!"She knew that Sally looked down on her because of the two million. Even without the money, Sally wouldn't have approved of her marrying into the York family. There was a reason she had agreed to Nash’s grandfather's condition. Initially, she genuinely liked Nash, and her grandfather had recognized that, which was why he arranged for them to get married. If it had been someone else, she wouldn't have agreed to marry at all.In recent years, Nash and Nina's marriage had not been smooth. However, the immeasurable value Nina brought to Nash far exceeded two million. She didn't feel the need to tolerate Sally's insults. "You can say anything you want about me, but you can't talk about m
Today, Zion finally grasped the truth from Sally's words. He turned to Nina and asked, "Nina, did you marry Nash for the sake of two million?"Nina's expression grew solemn, and she bit her lip. "Dad...""Nash's grandpa is kind-hearted, I'll give him that, but we shouldn't force a bad marriage." Zion spoke calmly. "We'll find a way to repay the two million debt."Julia remained silent. She had thought she had found a good son-in-law who could take care of Nina. But now...At this point, it seemed divorce was bound to happen. What was there left to cling to?After a moment of contemplation, Nina realized there was no need to push things further. She lowered her gaze and said, "I understand."Nash looked at Nina, uncertain of what she was about to say.Nina continued, "Mom, Dad, since it's come to this, there's no use hiding anything. Nash and I had a three-year agreement in our marriage, two million in exchange for three years of my youth..."As she spoke, Nina's eyes inexplicab
Vera forced an awkward smile at Hunter before quickly retreating back into the bathroom to change. Hunter, watching her leave, couldn't help but smirk. “You’re really living the good life, huh?” he teased. “Didn’t expect you to have such luck.” Caleb rolled his eyes, clearly uninterested. “Enough with the nonsense. Why are you here? And who exactly were you talking about over the phone?” He didn’t want to entertain pointless banter, especially not about women. If he was being honest, even he couldn’t fully explain his feelings toward Luna. He wasn’t sure what was left between them—was it love, or just the remnants of something that had long turned sour? That pitiful look in her eyes earlier had shaken him. For a fleeting moment, he had wanted to pull her into his arms, to comfort her like he used to. But after so many years of being humiliated and pushed aside, he had forgotten how to even speak to her anymore. So instead, he did what was easiest—he change
Hunter spoke casually, his tone light. “Just someone, that’s all. Do you really need all these details?” Caleb was now certain of his suspicion. “Hunter, did you forget what I do for a living? I’m a doctor. If you’re asking me about this, I need to get a clear picture before I can give you an answer.” Hunter exhaled lightly. “That’s fair, but some things can’t be diagnosed right away.” Based on the information Yelena provided earlier, Hunter was only speculating about Liam. But Caleb was an expert in this area, so he specifically called to ask him.Still, explaining everything over the phone wasn’t going to work. “Forget it,” Hunter said. “This isn’t something I can explain over a call. Where are you? I’ll come over.” Caleb hesitated for a moment before glancing at Vera, who was still beside him. In the end, he gave Hunter the address to his villa. Hunter chuckled. “Haha. I’m surprised. You actually do go home to rest.” Caleb ignored the jab and tossed his p
“Call me Liam.” Before Yelena could finish speaking, Liam cut her off with a sharp, angry voice. She quickly nodded and corrected herself. “Liam, don’t worry. I’ll do exactly as you say. I’ll be good. I won’t make you angry again.” But Liam didn’t care. With a violent shove, he threw her to the ground. Yelena barely had time to brace herself before hitting the cold floor hard, pain radiating through her limbs. Liam, however, just looked down at her with a twisted grin, laughing like she was nothing more than a ridiculous joke. “You’d better learn fast,” he sneered. “And leave your hand broken for a few days—feel the pain properly.” “Alright.” Her voice was quiet, submissive. But Liam wasn’t listening. Without another glance, he turned and walked away. As she watched his retreating figure, Yelena felt a deep sense of dread rise in her throat. Liam wasn’t human. He was something far worse. Her future with him would be nothing short of hell.
Yelena had made her stance clear—her loyalty was with Hunter. But instead of being convinced, Hunter let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “You sure your loyalty is to me? Or is it just to money?” His words hit like a slap. Yelena stiffened, feeling the sting of humiliation. It was true. When she had been desperate, with nowhere left to turn, she had thrown herself at Hunter, begging him for help. If she had any other choice, if she hadn’t been pushed into a corner, she would have never given up her pride like that. Lowering her gaze, she spoke with measured calmness. “Mr. Hall, you gave me two hundred thousand dollars. You helped me when no one else did. That makes you my benefactor. And loyalty to one’s benefactor… that’s only right.” She didn’t dare meet his eyes, but her voice was firm. Hunter studied her for a moment before scoffing. “Enough with the useless talk.” His voice was cold and dismissive. “Just go back to Liam’s side and do what you’re suppose
Yelena needed to tell Hunter about this. But before she could finish, Hunter’s cold voice cut through her thoughts. She lowered her head. “This is just how I normally dress. I didn’t deliberately choose my outfit to seduce you, Mr. Hunter. Besides, your brother isn’t even interested in me.” She hesitated before adding, “That two hundred thousand…” Hunter narrowed his eyes. “What are you trying to say?” Seeing his growing impatience, Yelena clenched her fists, still looking down. “I mean exactly what I said. Any normal man wouldn’t turn down a woman who willingly throws herself at him. That night, Liam clearly said he would take me somewhere else… but when we got there, he never touched me. Ever since then, he treats me like I don’t even exist—like I’m nothing but air.” Hunter’s expression darkened instantly. “Are you implying something?” The implication in Yelena’s words was clear. She had just suggested that any normal man wouldn’t refuse a willing woman.
Vera, as a bystander, couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pity for Luna. But if she felt that way, how much worse must it be for Caleb—the man who had loved Luna for years? His pain was unimaginable. Yet, despite the hurt clawing at his chest, Caleb remained cold and unmoved. He didn’t let go. He didn’t waver at Luna’s tearful pleas. Instead, his voice was indifferent as he spoke. “Luna, women always say that late affection is the cheapest thing of all. But the same goes for men—I don’t love you the way I used to. You should go back to Simon.” And as if to drive the knife even deeper, he added, “I’m sure Simon still loves you very much.” If Luna had truly wanted Simon’s love, she would have accepted it long ago. She would have stayed by his side instead of chasing after Caleb now. In the end, men and women were the same. When they loved you, they would cherish you like a treasure. When they stopped, you became nothing more than an afterthought.
Caleb had no desire to argue with Luna any further. Instead, he turned to Vera. With just one look, she understood and stepped closer to him. Caleb wrapped an arm around her waist. “Luna,” he said calmly, “being with Vera isn’t as exhausting as being with you. Love should go both ways. I hope you can understand that.” “No!” Luna’s voice cracked. “She’s only with you because you helped her solve her problems. If you weren’t Caleb Smith, if you didn’t have the power to fix things for her, she’d be nothing!” Her dark eyes burned with resentment as she glared at Vera. Vera knew she had become Luna’s enemy—but what could she do? Caleb had already made his stance clear. Was she supposed to deny it? Pretend he didn’t just declare his feelings in front of Luna? With a steady voice, Vera replied, “Yes, I do go along with Caleb. He treats me well, and we’ve chosen to be together. We’re both single adults. What exactly is the problem?” She met Luna’s icy gaze head
Caleb had never seen Luna like this before. But then again, even after realizing her feelings, she still carried herself with the same untouchable arrogance. He turned his head away, refusing to look at her. “Don’t you already have Simon by your side? “Or is he not enough for you?” The moment the words left Caleb’s lips, Luna felt a sharp stab of pain in her chest. Simon had always been the biggest issue between her and Caleb. To her, there was nothing between them now—just an unresolved regret from the past. Yet Caleb had never stopped making it an issue, over and over again. “You keep bringing up Simon because you want me to push him away. But tell me, Caleb, where exactly do you expect me to send him? He’s alone with a daughter to care for.“We’ve known each other for years. It’s not just about Simon. If you were in his position, I would help you too.” Luna’s voice was steady, her words firm—completely oblivious to the mistake in her reasoning. Caleb ha
Luna took a deep breath, clarity washing over her. In that moment, she knew that she had to get Caleb back. She yanked her hand free from Simon’s grasp. “Simon, I need to go find Caleb,” she said firmly. “I’ll be leaving now. You and your daughter can rest here. Stay in this villa for now, and once you have the money, I’ll sell it to you at half price.” With that, she turned and walked away without hesitation. Luna drove as fast as she could to find Caleb. Caleb was a complete workaholic—aside from the hospital, there was nowhere else he would be.But when she arrived, he was nowhere to be found. A nurse informed her that Caleb had taken the day off. Luna knew exactly where his private villa was. Instead of calling him, she went there directly. She knocked on the door, and to her surprise, the person who answered wasn’t Caleb—but Vera. Vera seemed equally taken aback but quickly regained her composure, maintaining polite courtesy. “Miss Gibson, please wait h