Nina knew very well that this person had contact with them all. After Lily vented her emotions, she calmly asked, "At the scene where Xander abducted me that day, there was another person, a woman. She didn't want me to recognize her, so she altered her voice. You framed me. I already know someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes. Another person was present during my abduction, and I suspect it's the same person. To uncover who killed Xander, we have to rely on your identification!""Nonsense, pure nonsense, it's impossible!" Lily didn't believe it. "You're just trying to absolve yourself and lessen your guilt!"Lily's refusal to accept reality was evident. She couldn't bear to admit that Nina's kidnapping led to this dire situation. Instead, she shifted all blame onto Nina, absolving themselves of any responsibility.Nina's words were clear: "Think carefully for yourself. Is Xander's death worth it? If not, tell me who that woman is. I won't let her off the hook!"These w
Linda didn't dodge; she just tilted her head and looked back at Nina. "Why are you so angry, Nina? Assaulting someone is against the law!"Nina sternly retorted, "The things you've done could land you in jail!"Unfazed, Linda smiled and replied, "What things? Nina, don't falsely accuse me. I haven't done anything wrong; I'm just here on a trip.""Nina, what are you doing!" Suddenly, Sally approached from nearby, her face not looking too pleased at seeing Nina hitting someone. She rebuked, "You're getting too hot-tempered, even hitting Linda. She's carrying the seed of our York family in her belly. Can you afford to pay if you damage it?"Nina glanced over as Sally came to support her. Taking advantage of this, Linda's eyes gleamed with a victorious smile. "Sally, it's nothing. She can't conceive, so she's envious of others. That's why she gets angry seeing me."Sally sharply remarked, "She can't lay eggs, yet she expects others not to bear offspring. She's been spoiled!"Nina fur
Linda instinctively covered her stomach, palms sweating. She forced a smile, "I haven't done anything wrong, so I'm not afraid of retribution."Seeing them speak in riddles, Sally didn't quite understand. However, sensing something amiss with Nina, she coldly asked, "What are you doing here? I’m just trying to take a break and still run into you."Linda quickly replied, "I just asked, it seems Nina attended a funeral here, right in this place.""A funeral?" Sally felt embarrassed and quickly pulled Linda away, saying, "Don't stand with her, it's ominous!"Nina pursed her lips and remarked calmly, "The area you're in is all cemetery.""In such a place? Linda, why would you come here?" Sally urged, "Let's go elsewhere, this place is too eerie, not good for the baby!"As they conversed, Sue, who happened to be standing at the entrance of the cemetery, caught sight of them. She frowned at Linda's figure. It was that woman!Sue clenched her fists, brows furrowed. Why was that woman h
"I told Dad that Nina was bullying you, which led to the police detaining you. He was furious and went to confront Nina. But he shouldn't have kidnapped her. Could it be true what she said, that someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes? Think about that woman who helped us. Could it be her...?" Sue felt a chilling sensation creeping over her. How could someone help others without any reason? If not for a purpose...Then, had her father also believed her nonsense?"It's impossible, it's impossible..." Lily refused to believe this fact.Sue said, "If someone else killed Dad, what should we do?"She did not know what to do next.They could not let her father's death be in vain and let the culprit escape unpunished.---"Is it over?" Standing there, his tall figure towering, Nash asked as the car parked behind him, seeing Nina walking over.Nina looked up at him. "Yes, it's over.""They've all gone back. Why did you take so long?" Nash noticed her late arrival.N
She gazed at Nash suddenly, noticing his icy demeanor and his chilling gaze. He spoke coolly, "You've been acting strange lately. Are you afraid I'll find out something?" Nina's heart skipped a beat. "What's wrong? Find... find what?"Nash replied, "Ever since you started finding women for me, I've sensed something off about you. And sneaking off to the hospital!"Nina avoided his gaze. "My life is perfectly normal. You're just imagining things.""Then tell me why. Give me a convincing reason!" Nash always felt Nina was being secretive, as if she had a secret he had not uncovered yet. He could not quite guess what it was and had to wait for her to confess.Nina crossed her hands, trying to ease her tension, and spoke lightly, "Nash, haven't you noticed something off about yourself?""Me? Something off?"After all this time, Nash only got such an explanation from Nina. Her explanation was a bit hard to believe. "What's wrong with me?""Your attention has been entirely on me l
The two of them tacitly understood each other and did not say much more. Nina returned to her room to pack her things. With Xander's funeral over, it was time to go back."Nina," Julia suddenly walked in. Nina stopped what she was doing and turned around. "Mom." Julia sat down beside her, wanting to talk to her about something. Nina sensed it and sat next to her. "Mom, what's wrong?""This time, Nash came, did not he?" Julia said. "Yes." Julia turned to her. "Weren't you two talking about divorcing soon? But this time he came over to help you, it doesn't seem like a divorce. If you're both planning to divorce, there's no need to trouble him."They did not want to owe Nash too much, and it would be unclear how to repay him later. It was not a good situation."We came back to our hometown without telling Nash. I'll thank him later," Nina said. "Why does he still want to help you?" Julia did not quite understand. "If you hadn't told me, I would have thought you married the r
Lily hesitated for a long time. For her, ensuring that Xander could rest in peace underground was the right thing to do. She could not let him die in vain. "Nina, we've paid a heavy price for Xander's affair, and we've also suffered." These days, Lily seemed to have aged suddenly, with a few white hairs on her head. "I apologize for the harsh words I said to you during the funeral. I wasn't being rational. Now, as long as we can find the person who killed Xander, I'm willing to do anything.""Lily." Nina called out. "Those things are in the past, and I will not hold them against you. We still have to live our lives. We need to look forward and not dwell on the past. I'll find a solution for Sue's internship. Even though she can't work at the York Corporation, I won't let her suffer."This was the best outcome for them. Nina had better connections than them, so they would not lose out."Thank you, Nina." Lily smiled with relief.Sue also chimed in, "Nina, thank you."Returning to
The lady boss of the nightclub called.They had not been in touch for a long time, and Linda wanted to share the good news with her.After answering the phone, she happily said, "Hey, Boss, I'm doing great now. The child is healthy, we're living in a big house, and we have people taking care of us. Especially the child's dad's mother really likes me. I'm sure I'll be better and better in the future."But the lady boss sounded anxious on the other end: "Linda, I called to tell you that something has happened. The police came asking about you. Did you do something wrong?"Hearing this, Linda's face changed drastically: "The police are really looking for me?""Yes, they're asking about you. I don't know what's going on..."Before the conversation could finish, Linda hung up the phone.Everyone knew she lived at the York residence. The police would soon come here.She could not let them catch her, so she had to leave. She rushed out in a hurry, unable to say where she was going, an
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,