With that being said, Xander began to feel convinced. This person had appeared out of nowhere, surely with some ulterior motive to approach him. However, Nina was still his niece. He felt compelled, and had to be concerned about others plotting against him. His gaze shifted towards the woman.She became anxious and indignant. "She's trying to create discord. If it weren't for my advice, would Nina willingly give you the money? We're supposed to be working together!"Despite everything, Xander was certain about his own intentions. He turned to Nina. "Nina, give me the password, and I promise she won't harm you."Nina did not dare to trust him hastily. Just as she hesitated, the sound of a car outside suddenly reached their ears. This made Xander panic.He grabbed Nina, holding a knife to her throat, nervously stating, "Someone's outside!"Nina, staring at the knife in front of her, did not even dare to breathe. The woman realized that things had taken a turn for the worse. "She's i
Exactly. He could transfer two hundred million to her account. So why hesitate over ten million? Nina looked down, feeling a pang of bitterness in her heart. He was good, really good. But each act of kindness felt like a stab to her heart, making it difficult to move on while also causing her pain.Xander smiled and promptly recited his bank account number. Nash took out his phone and made a call. "Transfer ten million to this account immediately!" The woman hiding behind them panicked at the sight. No, this couldn't happen! Nina had to disappear completely!A message alert sounded on Xander's phone. He checked the message: the bank had sent him a notification. He glanced at the balance: ten million! It was more money than he had ever seen in his life. Xander felt excited and happy as he put his phone in his pocket. "How can I be sure you'll let me go once I release Nina?" he asked.Nash replied, "There's a car here. You can drive away. I won't stop you.""Then let me go."Xan
The car Xander was in suddenly exploded, with flames spreading across the sky and the vehicle bursting open instantly. Nina stood frozen in shock, her fair face illuminated by the fire, her eyes wide open. How could this happen? How could the car explode? Even though she wasn't close to her uncle, he was still her blood relative. If someone died in front of her, she would still be afraid. Nina's mind went blank, and tears silently streamed down her face. She stood there for a while, like a zombie, subconsciously moving towards the site of the explosion."Nina!" Nash, still in disbelief, noticed Nina's actions. Concerned for her safety, he firmly grasped her wrist and pulled her into his arms. His gaze was grave as he sternly said, "It's dangerous over there. Don't go!""Quincy, get someone to put out the fire!" Nina, with red eyes, resisted Nash for a moment but then calmly said, "It's okay. I'll just watch from afar. There won't be any danger."She just wanted to see if he had
Nash frowned, his concern evident. "It's clear that you passed out earlier. It's safer for you to get checked." Nina adjusted her clothes, her eyes fixed on the blood staining Nash's hands. "I think you need the check-up more than I do." She hurriedly got out of bed and added, "I just have a small cut on my neck. It just needs bandaging. Doctor, please attend to Mr. York first."Nash squinted at Nina, sensing that something was amiss. She seemed different, as if she were hiding something. She declined the check-up but then secretly went to a private hospital.What could she be up to?The doctor, observing their disagreement, intervened. "Mr. York, allow me to tend to your wounds first." Nash didn't respond directly to the doctor but instead questioned Nina, "You don't want a check-up, yet you sneak off to a private hospital. Is there something you're hiding from me?"His gaze grew cold once more, and his tone became distant.Nina felt nervous on the inside but kept a calm exte
Nina didn't see it that way, even though she had spoken disdainfully to Miranda. She was just protecting herself. "Don't you know there's someone else I like?" Nina said. That sentence shut Nash down completely. She had feelings for someone else. But he had never seen this man! It seemed to become a puzzle between them. Nash's handsome face grew cold and stern, yet he had to say, "You don't need to mention this man. When the contract expires, I'll let you go. Even if you don't give me the divorce papers, I'll deliver them to you!" They could only get their shares when the marriage contract expired. Nina knew that. Without saying it explicitly, she cooperated with him. It was a kind of repayment to him. "Alright," Nina took out her phone and glanced at the calendar. "There aren't many days left. I hope Mr. York will find time when the time comes." Nash didn't reply further.Both of them had their wounds bandaged by the doctor. Nina's wound was just a shallow cut on the skin
She took a sip of the milk, which was still warm. It had a sweet taste with a hint of milk fragrance. It helped to calm her fear but left a slight bitterness."You should take some rest," Nash said, his wound already bandaged."I'll take care of everything with the police." He didn't want Nina to exert herself too much.A serious kidnapping case like this required a thorough investigation. He couldn't afford to rest.Nina lay on the hospital bed, and soon her mother arrived. "Nina," her mother called out. "Mom," Nina responded. Julia rushed to the hospital and saw Nina lying in bed, looking miserable with wounds on her neck.She immediately burst into tears and hugged her daughter. "How could that bastard Xander do such a despicable thing? Threatening and kidnapping you? He's caused you so much suffering! Our family will never associate with theirs again! I've already told your father. He only ended up like this because of brotherly love! He realizes it too. I'll scold Xander la
"Indeed! Some people are simply born with bad intentions. Xander's death was truly tragic; he was killed by his own niece, and there is still no closure. It's really sad.""What did the police say? Are they just going to let it go like that?""People die, they get buried, and that's the end of it.""That's really unfair. One life lost, and Nina gets all the benefits!"These comments caused Julia's face to darken. "They're crossing a line, especially considering they're relatives. Gossiping like this!"They rarely interacted with these relatives, only exchanging greetings on formal occasions. Julia looked at Nina and said, "Nina, don't pay attention to their nonsense. Let's finish paying our respects and leave."She didn't want any trouble. If it wasn't for Nina's insistence, they wouldn't have come. Nina didn't mind, used to being talked about behind her back. Some relatives were worse than neighbors. She wasn't just here to pay respects, but to uncover the person responsible
This incident became a sensitive topic in their conversations, creating a jealousy instead of blame. Among these individuals, Nina's family fared the best. They were ordinary people with no chance of marrying into wealth and had never even seen a wealthy household before. The success of Nina's family made others feel uneasy.Why should they share the same last name, "Walker," when their statuses were so different?"That's right! Our Walker family's family tree can't accommodate someone as important as you!" Zion had grown used to these rumors over the years, but he didn't want Xander's spirit to be affected by them. Zion exclaimed, "We never had such intentions. You're all speaking nonsense without knowing the truth! I don't want to argue with you. We're here today to pay our respects to my brother. Spare us your gossip!""Get out! We don't want you here. We don't need your prayers!" Lily shouted, "Your family are all guilty parties!"They forcefully pushed them out. "You should
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,