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
The faces of both families were filled with shocked expressions. Sally looked at the young girl in front of her, struggling to comprehend what she had just heard. She sought clarification, "What did you just say? Are you saying that you're pregnant with my son's child?"Linda, feeling a bit uneasy, was uncertain about the consequences of her words. However, she took the risk and nodded, "Yes... I am carrying Mr. York's child!"This time, everyone heard her clearly. She was pregnant with Nash's child.Zion and Julia were momentarily stunned, their expressions turning sour. They hadn't expected Nash to have a child outside of their family. They couldn't help but worry about their daughter's situation within the York family.Sally, on the other hand, was pleased. Although the child wasn't Miranda's, as long as it wasn't Nina's, it was good news. This child would carry the York family's bloodline.Miranda was weak, and if she couldn't conceive, it was their last option."Really?" Sal
Nina understood Sally's nature. Her remarks were merely to ease her own conscience. Julia initially didn't want to engage further, but Sally's words irritated her. "You have the nerve to speak up! Your son cheats, fathers a child outside, and you call it an affair within marriage!"Sally retorted, "Stop talking nonsense! Your daughter can't conceive, so you won't allow my son to have a child outside?""Shut up!" Nash's voice was icy.Sally glanced at him, noticing his paleness, and toned down. "Alright, I'll shut up. You're still weak; you should lie down."Zion intervened, "Nina, let's go. There's no point in arguing here."Talking a hundred times wouldn't change anything. Nash's gaze met Nina's; they locked eyes briefly before she averted hers. "Okay, Dad," she said without looking back, walking over to Zion.Nash watched her resolute figure, his brows furrowed, his gaze unwavering, yet he didn't utter a word to ask her to stay."Nash," Sally said, supporting him, while Linda
Ben would never believe the truth, and his mother would never allow Charlie’s existence. Instead of creating chaos and an irreparable fallout, Jamie chose to keep it hidden. She thought that once Ben’s anger subsided, he would eventually let her go.“Even if you figure out who the father is, what difference does it make?” Jamie met Ben’s intense gaze calmly. “We’ve already said everything that needed to be said. Can’t we stop making each other’s lives miserable?”"Your mother offered so much money. Why wouldn’t I take it? I’m not a fool. I gave you up for one million before. After these past four years, do you really think there’s any love left between us? Do you honestly expect me to cry and beg for you?”Jamie’s voice was steady as she stared calmly at Ben. She had been scared at first, but over time, she had come to terms with her reality. Ben wasn’t going to kill her. And as long as she stayed alive, there would eventually come a day when he’d let her go. Right now, his anger wa
The next second, there was only silence on the phone.Ben sent the phone number to his assistant. “Investigate thoroughly.”A thought suddenly struck him. He couldn't let Jamie continue to roam freely outside.*Four days later, Ben's mother came to visit. “You refuse to take over the family business, and now you're going against me by keeping Jamie around again?”Ben didn’t respond, but her anger only grew. “Ben, you’ve seen for yourself what kind of person Jamie is. Why are you still so obsessed with her? The fiancée I arranged for you is far better than the one you’ve chosen!”The Larson family was also one of the prominent families in Birkham. While the Lucas and Larson families couldn’t rival the York family, the Lucas family still held its position as the second most influential family in the city. On top of that, they were relatives of the Scott Lucas. Even Scott, who had initially resisted marriage, eventually followed his parents’ wishes and entered into a family
Jamie closed her eyes briefly, sinking further into despair. She didn’t even notice when Ben had left the room. Her thoughts were scattered, her mind drifting in and out of focus.Though she wanted to leave the hospital, she was constantly watched, making it impossible. By afternoon, a nurse came in to change her dressing.Jamie glanced up absentmindedly. “It’s fine. I don’t need it.”“This is under Dr. Lawson’s direct orders,” the nurse replied gently but firmly. “I can’t afford to cut corners. Since you’re still admitted, please cooperate.”Jamie lifted her gaze slightly, her tone subdued. “I’d like to get some fresh air.”“Of course, once we’re done changing your dressing, I can take you outside. Just make sure not to strain your muscles,” the nurse said patiently.The weather was exceptionally pleasant that day. As she sat in the wheelchair outside, Jamie made several calls to Winnie. The phone was still off, as if Winnie had made up her mind to disappear completely from her
“You're the patient, and I'm the doctor. Taking care of you is my job,” Jay said with a light smile, handing her the utensils. “Go ahead, try it.”Jamie was indeed hungry. She hadn’t felt like eating, but she couldn’t refuse his gesture. Besides, she needed to regain her strength quickly if she hoped to find Charlie. She picked up the utensils and was just about to take a bite when footsteps sounded outside the room. The door swung open, revealing Ben. His expression darkened instantly, his face stormy as he took in the scene before him. “So, Dr. Lawson, is this how you treat all your patients, or is this a special case?” Ben’s tone dripped with sarcasm. “Just giving an old classmate some extra care. What’s the harm in that?” Jay replied, his words laced with subtle defiance. The room's atmosphere froze, tension thick in the air. Ben’s sharp gaze flickered between Jamie and Jay before finally settling on Jamie’s pale face, his expression unreadable. Jamie, sensing th
“Wake up, Charlie.” Winnie held him tightly, panic overwhelming her. She wanted to take him away, not harm him! Just then, the sound of a car pulling up broke through the darkness. Footsteps approached, slow and deliberate. A tall man emerged from the shadows and stopped in front of her. Tears streaming down her face, Winnie looked up. The man’s sharp, angular features were obscured by the dim light, adding to his air of mystery. But she immediately recognized him. It was the same man who had told her the truth about Jack Green being Ben Lucas. Winnie glared at him with fierce determination. “Why are you here? Are you happy now that things have come to this?” “You foolish woman, do you think being deceived feels any better?” the mysterious man sneered. “The truth is nothing but a bloody wound. I’d rather…” Winnie’s voice faltered, unable to continue. “Stop lying to yourself,” the man said with a slight shake of his head. “What do you want?” Winnie asked
Jamie couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath. “Stop pretending.” Ben's harsh words cut through the air, as cold and unrelenting as ever. Jamie couldn’t straighten up for a long moment. She gritted her teeth, determined to ignore the pain radiating from her wound, spreading like fire through her body. Sweat dripped from her forehead onto the pale hospital bed, leaving tiny dark stains. “I don’t need to play games with you,” she said finally, her voice frail but resolute. “It wouldn’t work, and I don’t want to. I just want my child back.” Ben’s sharp gaze faltered for a moment before he replied in a cold tone, “Focus on recovering first.” With that, he turned and left the room. Jamie slumped against the edge of the bed, exhausted and broken. *Meanwhile, Winnie drove aimlessly, following random road signs, unaware of where she was heading. The road grew increasingly desolate, with the sun sinking below the horizon and barely a soul in sight. “Where are we, Aunt
Perhaps due to her injuries, Jamie couldn’t muster much strength, and her resistance felt as feeble as a kitten pawing at someone.Jay gently guided her back to the hospital bed. While examining her injuries, his expression turned serious. “All these years, I’ve attended every class reunion, but I’ve never seen you. Did you move abroad?” Jamie shook her head slightly. “Life’s been messy. Nothing worth mentioning.” “If there’s anything troubling you, tell me. Maybe this old classmate can help,” Jay said softly, his eyes full of concern. Though time had barely left its mark on her face, her eyes carried a deep weariness, dulling the radiance she once had. It was clear she had endured more than her fair share of hardships over the years. Jamie remained silent for a moment before shaking her head again. “I’m fine, Jay.” Instinctively, he asked, “So, did you become a lawyer?” The question hit her like a sharp sting. Her lips trembled for a second before she forced a weak
Jamie bit her lip tightly, her face pale as paper from blood loss. A mocking smile played on her lips. “Don’t worry, Ben. I know my place. How could someone like me possibly hurt someone like you?” Ben felt a heavy weight settle in his chest, as if a boulder had lodged itself there. It was neither something he could expel nor swallow. His dark, piercing eyes glinted with cold, unrelenting anger. “Jamie, you never fail to impress me,” he said, his voice dripping with icy sarcasm. Mrs. Lucas, watching their verbal sparring with satisfaction, chimed in, her tone sharp. “This woman would throw you away for the smallest gain. Why waste your energy on her?” “Enough,” Ben snapped, his voice even and calm, though his gaze burned with quiet fury. It was as if the exchange hadn’t phased him at all. “No need to give her any more money. She’s not worth it.” His cold, piercing stare lingered on Jamie, making her breath hitch. Mrs. Lucas couldn’t contain her glee. “Good. Now that yo
Jamie forced herself to swallow the rising pain in her chest. If cutting Ben off completely was the only way to make him give up, then so be it.A million dollars...For Ben, whether as the alias "Jack Green" or as his true self, money had never been an issue. His mother had made sure he never lacked anything. However, Jamie’s single remark, sharp and calculated, cut straight to the heart of their relationship. It reduced everything they had shared to something insignificant and transactional.Ben’s expression turned grim, his dark eyes filled with anguish and anger. “Jamie, if you needed money, you could’ve just asked me. Winning me over would’ve gotten you more than a million. Was it really worth it?”There was a deep sadness in his voice, almost as if he was pleading for her to lie to him, just to make him feel wanted. Jamie could feel the weight of his words, the memories of his kindness clawing at her heart. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say a word,