Worries would always find a way to surface. This not only affected Zoe but also the company. Nash watched the video briefly. The video captured from this angle was taken at the entrance. It could have been secretly filmed by someone with an agenda or by one of the people present at the scene. At that time, they were all present, making it unlikely for any of them to have filmed it, but he overlooked another possibility. This could work to their advantage."Find a way to suppress the hot search topics," Nash instructed. "Minimize the losses."As an outsider to the entertainment circle, Zoe was accustomed to her freedom, making it difficult for her to deal with the various rumors and controversies on the internet. The power of the internet remained formidable. He did not want anyone to influence her in any way."Understood, Mr. York."They would have to work overtime to suppress the trending topics. After sorting out the trivial matters of the entertainment company in a meeting,
"Is it true? Can we trust the news?" Upon hearing Michelle's words, they still asked for confirmation."It's true. I'm prepared to stay here all night. We've got the hospital surrounded from all sides. The moment Miranda appears, even if we only catch a glimpse of her, it's still a win!" Michelle assured them."Well then, we'll all stay here. I refuse to believe they won't come out!" They had been waiting here for a whole day, closely following any news about Miranda. They could not go wrong by staying here.However, Michelle's assistant asked, "Michelle, do we really have to wait here indefinitely?"Michelle was also pondering how they could see Miranda. Even if they only caught a shadow, it would be worth it. "We can't just sit around waiting to die."She looked at the nurses ahead and suddenly had an idea.Handing everything over to them, she said, "You guys stay here and keep watch. I'm going to take a look inside.""Michelle, the hospital is guarded. How do you plan to ge
"Who... who are you? I don't know you. Nash, who is she, who are they all?" Miranda looked at the assistant with a puzzled expression.Everyone was stunned for a moment.The assistant, confused, said, "Miranda, don't you remember me? I'm your assistant, Ruby."Miranda pushed her away abruptly. "Get away from me! Nash, what's happening? Why can't I hear you? Come here, I'm scared!"Zoe was also taken aback by her reaction. She joked, "Started with deafness, now it's memory loss. If this were a drama, it would be too tragic!"Nash walked over.Miranda grabbed his sleeve as if he were her lifeline, hiding behind him and looking at everyone. "Nash, who are they, why are they looking at me like that? Get them all out, I'm scared.""You all, leave," Nash ordered.Zoe was furious to see him so easily swayed by Miranda. She snapped, "Nash, she pulls this and you fall for it? Do you even have a brain?""Leave!" Nash emphasized firmly.Seeing him so protective of Miranda and watching h
Miranda looked bewildered and surprised, "What did I miss? Why can't I hear anything? Do I have some illness?""No," the assistant comforted her.Nash stood nearby, carefully observing Miranda's every move. Her every action indeed resembled those from the past, as if she was experiencing memory loss.After staring for a while, he typed a message to her, "There are many reporters outside wanting to interview you. Do you want to go and talk to them?"Miranda naturally refused, "I don't want to."Waking up from her sleep, Miranda suffered from memory loss and became a true victim.As for the video, Nash knew it was uploaded by her assistant, Ruby.When questioned about the incident, the assistant boldly admitted, "I'm the one who uploaded the video. Miranda was bullied, and no one came to her defense. So, I left it to the netizens to judge. She had no one to stand up for her, but she had fans supporting her, and I'm one of them. Mr. York, if you want to punish someone, punish me. B
"Are you talking about the trafficking case?" Ben responded, "I remember, it was a very serious criminal case, and I was involved as a defense lawyer."At that time, there was no public trial. There were many dark things involved and he had a strong impression of it."Yeah." Ben was no stranger to this matter. Nash then said to him, "It was also around this time that Miranda left the country without notice."Ben added, "It might just be a coincidence. Miranda is just a girl. She shouldn't be involved in such a big case."If she was involved in this case, it would probably involve even more people around her. It would also indicate that Miranda was not simple.Ben had very little contact with Miranda. He had been friends with Nash for many years, and had only met her a few times. He wouldn't befriend her either."Let's hope not."Nash could only say that, "But you know, even though the case was solved, the mastermind behind it was never caught.""There were many suspicious point
Nina hesitated for a moment. "Aunt Zoe got into trouble because of me. How can I not get involved? I know you want to protect Miranda, but Aunt Zoe has been subjected to so much online abuse. She needs to clear her name. She shouldn't be bullied like this!""It's not as simple as you think," Nash said with a meaningful tone.But Nina smiled. "I know it's not simple. Miranda is not a simple person, and if she can do it, others can too. You may not want to help, but I will find a way to help Aunt Zoe.""I didn't say I wouldn't help Zoe," Nash added.Nina looked at Nash, somewhat incredulous. "Didn't you ask Miranda to move to Riverside Estate? I'll be with Zoe these days. If she has any problems, I'll protect her!"Just now in the hospital room, Nash's words could not have been clearer. Even Zoe was on the verge of severing ties with him. Nina had hoped that regardless of the circumstances, Nash would not let things escalate further. Unfortunately, she was mistaken. For Miranda's
Nina and Zoe were holding hands. At this moment, Zoe was very angry and had already cursed Nash numerous times. Nina said, "Aunt Zoe, you still have me to keep you company. You won't be lonely.""Back then, everyone wanted sons, but daughters are so much better. Daughters are more caring and affectionate. Look at Nash, the only child of our York family. He just keeps upsetting me. Now, he doesn't even acknowledge me as his aunt." Zoe complained, feeling her blood pressure rising at the thought.Nina still tried to comfort Zoe, "Perhaps Nash has some hidden troubles?""What hidden troubles!" Zoe snapped, her anger flaring. "I don't want to talk about him anymore. Every word feels like a stab in my heart. Let's just go, the farther away from them, the better!"She did not want to stay in the hospital any longer."I just asked the doctor. Deafness can also be artificially induced," Nina said.Nina was still worried about Zoe. The internet was a breeding ground for gossip, and spre
"I’ve got to remember it. If I don't, people will think I’m heartless, and how will I get by in this world?" Zoe was also a generous person. Scott did not refuse either. "Alright, I'll count you as a friend."Zoe and Scott got along well with each other.Soon, they arrived at Scott's residence. It was a spacious flat. There were security guards downstairs, keeping watch twenty-four hours a day."How do you feel about it?" Scott asked them."It's quite nice, Scott. We're not that particular," Zoe said."Then you'll stay here tonight. I used to live in this house. There's still some clutter inside, so I'll tidy it up today," Scott suggested."Wouldn't that be too much trouble?" Nina asked."Not a bother at all. Besides, it all needs to be tidied up anyway. I've already called my assistant to come over." Scott, upon learning about their ordeal, had thought they needed a completely new place. He had it prepared since early on."Alright." Nina looked at Zoe and accepted Scott’s ki
The woman had deliberately spoken in a vague and ambiguous way. She had been sent by Summer, with Mrs. Lucas's covert assistance. Together, they had schemed to place a helper in the villa with a simple enough task with their combined influence. But to Jamie, the words carried a different implication. This was Lucas’s territory, which meant this woman had likely been instructed by Ben. If Jamie didn’t drink the soup, she was certain Ben wouldn’t let it slide. A wave of bitterness washed over her. “Fine, just leave it over there. I’ll drink it later when I’m thirsty.” “Miss Lewis, I need to personally see you finish the soup before I can leave. If you’re not ready to drink it now, that’s no problem. I’ll just wait here.” The woman placed the tray on the table, pulled a chair over, and sat directly in front of Jamie. Her stare was unrelenting, her attitude clear. She wasn’t leaving until the job was done. If it had been anyone else in Jamie’s place, the woman wouldn’t da
“Don’t beg me. If begging worked, I’d have begged Ben not to leave a long time ago,” Winnie said as she wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes. “Here’s the deal. I called to make one thing clear. Everything you owe me, I’m going to take back, bit by bit, through Charlie. He’s your son, and they say the sins of the mother fall on the child.” With that biting remark, Winnie hung up without hesitation.Clutching her phone, her chest ached with a deep, lingering pain. The masked man approached, standing by her side. “Winnie, what’s the point of all this? You’re clearly full of hate for Jamie, but instead of taking it out on her, you’re here looking after her kid. I don’t get you sometimes.“If it were me,” he continued, “I’d grab this opportunity and make her suffer. Why are you holding back?”Winnie shook her head. “Charlie calls me his aunt, and besides, it’s not right to blame a child for the mistakes of adults.”She might despise Jamie, but Winnie couldn’t bring herself
On the day of the engagement banquet, Ben’s phone appearing near Jamie should have been a warning sign, but she missed it. Later, she had warmly welcomed Jamie into her home, showering her with care. She had even worried that Ben might dislike Jamie and tried to help them get along. And what happened in the end? While she had been tirelessly caring for them, the two of them ended up in bed together. Now, they were living under the same roof, while she and her child were left with nothing. How could Winnie not harbor resentment? Especially when she looked at Charlie, a chilling thought crept into her mind: If her own child’s life was ruined because of Jamie, then shouldn’t she retaliate by ruining Jamie’s child? An eye for an eye. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Every time Charlie called her "Aunt Winnie" with such innocence, it reminded her of the bond between them. How could she be so heartless? “I’m in Ben’s villa. He won’t let me leave,” Jamie
Ben gripped Jamie's chin tightly, his voice firm and unyielding. When Jamie had disappeared from his life, he had exhausted every possible means, called in countless favors, and poured his energy into finding her. But he had failed. Just when he was on the verge of giving up, he had met Winnie. It felt like fate had stepped in, intertwining their paths once more, as if destined for a lifetime of entangled love and hate. If that was his reality, then he would play along with it.“Instead of plotting ways to escape from me, why don’t you focus on apologizing? Show me some sincerity, and maybe I’ll make your life a little easier,” Ben said.Jamie’s lips curved into a bitter smile. She knew what he wanted.He wanted an apology and an attitude of remorse. But she also knew she had no leverage to stay by his side.Even if she played along now, making him happy temporarily, there was no future for them. Mrs. Lucas’s disdain for her was an insurmountable mountain, and she couldn’t see
Unfortunately, Ben couldn’t see through any of this. Summer, however, wasn’t the least bit intimidated. Shaking her head confidently, she said, “I’ve never done anything to upset him. I don’t believe that just exchanging a few words with him would make him kick me out.”Mrs. Lucas opened her mouth, about to say something, but seeing Summer’s confident demeanor, she hesitated. Maybe, just maybe, Ben might actually feel too awkward to reject her outright. And if a little covert manipulation were added into the mix…Suddenly, Mrs. Lucas had an idea. Hearing it, Summer’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Mrs. Lucas, that’s an excellent plan! We should act quickly before he does anything else irrational.” “Alright.” Though the plan was solid, the two of them decided to put it into action three days later. Meanwhile, Ben hadn’t been to the office lately, but he was still keeping track of all the firm’s cases. He was also trying to reach Winnie, but while her phone would ring,
Ben wanted nothing more than to wring Jamie's neck after hearing her cold, cutting words. “I don’t need your lectures,” he growled. Human nature? Didn’t she think he knew enough about it already? He had seen it in every case he handled, and he had learned it the hardest way through her betrayal. When he fell for Jamie, it had been with the intent to marry her, to share a future. But she had stabbed him in the back without hesitation. And yet, when he tried to hate her, tried to wish for her downfall, he couldn’t bring himself to follow through. “Stay here and reflect on your actions, Jamie.” Ben knew her well enough. If she cried, begged for forgiveness, he would soften. But she didn’t. Instead, all she cared about was that child, the child he refused to acknowledge. “Fine,” he thought grimly. “Let’s see how long that bastard can survive.”*Meanwhile, Ben’s mother, Mrs. Lucas, had failed to convince him to cut ties with Jamie. This left her in a tough spot, especial
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