At that moment, she felt like she had lost everything. No one would be by her side.---Nina returned to the hospital.By this time, Zoe had woken up. She looked tired, lying motionless on the hospital bed."Aunt Zoe," Nina called softly, carrying several bags.Zoe turned her head and smiled, "Nina, it's you.""How are you feeling? Any better?" Nina asked. "If you're uncomfortable, let me know."Zoe glanced at Nash standing behind Nina and hesitated before saying, "The pain is still there, but it's manageable. Don't worry, I'll be fine in a couple of days."Nina nodded, acknowledging her words."Nash," Zoe turned her gaze to Nash, feeling a bit guilty about what happened at the cemetery. "I'm sorry, I spoke without thinking. Don't take it to heart."Although she was angry with Nash, she felt she had said too much, which could have affected him.Nash looked at Zoe and said in a low voice, "It's in the past. Don't dwell on it."Zoe sighed, her face filled with sorrow. "It mus
"When I left the York family, I didn't take it with me, so it’s not mine anymore!" Nina retorted.Nash pursed his lips, his eyes sharp, and his fists clenched tightly."Let's go," Scott said to Nina.Nina followed Scott. Nash, watching their retreating figures, did not stop them but his gaze remained icy.In the basement parking lot, Nina said to Scott, "I found out the reason for Miranda's hearing loss. Now I need to make a call."With the online discussions heating up, she needed to clarify things to restore Zoe's reputation.Scott immediately opened the car door. "Do you need to go to the TV station?""Yes, I need to go back," Nina replied.Scott promptly drove her to the TV station. Nina had recently taken some leave. Originally, Michelle had failed to get an exclusive interview with Nash and had sabotaged Nina's news story, causing a scene at the TV station. The chief editor found out about all of it and gave her a good scolding. As a result, Michelle left a poor impress
Seeing Nina brought some comfort to Angel. Nina immediately reassured her, patting her on the back. Glancing at the computer screen filled with pages of text, she said, "Alright, stop crying. This time, I’ll make sure you get your moment in the spotlight."Angel, still sniffling, asked, "What do you mean by 'spotlight'? If I can get back at Michelle, that would be the real victory!"Having been oppressed by Michelle for so long, Angel wanted nothing more than to see her fall and to crush her underfoot."That's exactly what I'm talking about," Nina replied.Angel froze, quickly wiping away her tears. "Nina, I knew you’d come to my rescue. Tell me what to do, and I'll do it immediately!"Nina sat down, ready to work with Angel to expose the truth about Miranda.Meanwhile, Michelle was on her way to Miranda's residence. Miranda had returned home to Riverside Estate, a place where Nash would not visit. She was exhausted and knew she could not rely on Nash to support her. She had
Miranda quickly stood up, her face pale. "What? How is that possible?""I'm not lying. People have already started calling!" Ruby, her assistant, was equally stunned. "They’re saying horrible things. I didn’t know how to handle it, so I unplugged the phone. You shouldn’t listen to them."The shock was overwhelming for Miranda. "Who has my medical records? This is impossible!"She quickly pulled out her phone to check online and see what was going on. The only possible way this could happen was if...No, it could not be. She did not believe it.But when she opened her social media, it was flooded with comments criticizing her.They called her a hypocrite, an actress pretending to be innocent while scheming behind the scenes. They accused her of ruining others' lives for her own gain, saying she was a deceitful woman with a double-faced persona.Miranda had been in the industry long enough to see negative comments before, especially when she was a singer. But those were in the min
"It’s reliable. I'm in the hospital room next to her. I saw the person covered in injuries. I don't know how it happened, but it’s really bad. All because of a few words from Miranda, now she’s badly hurt!""This is so unfair! Just because Miranda is a public figure, a single word or look from her can twist reality. Today the person is admitted to the hospital, and tomorrow, her life could be at stake. The rules in the entertainment industry need to be changed for the better. Artists should embody both virtue and talent. People like her should be severely punished!""Miranda, get out of the entertainment industry!""Michelle, you should stop reporting. You’re feeding on people’s misery!"Michelle's face turned pale. She had not anticipated this would backfire on her as well.Suddenly, she recalled Nina's warnings about valuing her reputation. Michelle's first reaction was to blame Nina. "Could this be Nina's doing?"Miranda was too afraid to check her phone, fearing the comment
Miranda was in shock, unable to believe it could be him. Her world felt like it was falling apart.Michelle, seeing her distress, said, "Miss Miranda, we're in this together now. We need to turn things around. Otherwise, we'll both suffer!"Since she had already reported the news, there was no turning back. The only option was to work with Miranda to find a solution. They needed to regain the trust of the public by creating a new narrative.But Miranda could not process it. "Everyone, leave. I need to cool off to think."Michelle, desperate, continued, "We need to come up with a plan. Cooling off won't help. We've been exposed. Maybe you could accuse them of slander, file a lawsuit, and use legal action to buy us some time..."Before she could finish, Miranda interrupted, "Ruby, escort her out. I need to be alone.""Miss Jacobs, please leave. Miranda needs some time to think," the assistant said, quickly guiding Michelle out.Michelle was furious. She knew her reputation and job
Wilfred did not hide anything, revealing it all plainly.Miranda was shocked. "Why would you do this? Do you realize how much this affects me? I asked you to take care of Nina, thinking her death could save us. But instead, you pushed me into the fire. Why did you do this?"The bread in Wilfred's hand had been eaten by the pigeons. He brushed the crumbs off his coat. "There was no transaction between us. You didn't pay me, and I didn't ask for your money. Nina paid me for your information. Out of respect for the money, I couldn't refuse.""Wilfred!" Miranda growled. "This is not a joke! We’re supposed to be in this together!"Wilfred's slight smile faded, and he replied calmly, "I know exactly what I'm doing. As compensation, I'll restore your hearing.""I don't understand you anymore," Miranda said, almost laughing at the absurdity. "I thought we were the same. I believed you'd always help me, but then you sold me out to Nina. Who are you? Unless there's something between you and
Why did she feel so sad?Nina thought about it for a while but could not figure it out. "How long was I asleep?" she asked."Half an hour," Angel replied. "Nina, have you been overworking yourself lately? You fell asleep as soon as you put your head down on the desk."Nina guessed it might be because of her pregnancy. "Maybe I just didn't sleep well last night."Angel, still looking worried, finally felt reassured once she was certain Nina was okay. She could not wait to share some good news. "The article we posted was well-received. Can you guess the number of views? Over a million!"The internet is up in arms against Miranda, and they’re not sparing Michelle either. We did it!" Angel was eager to share her excitement. "I’d love to see Michelle's reaction. This time, she has hurt Starry Sky TV station’s reputation, and she’ll definitely face consequences!"Nina's main target was always Miranda. "We’ve made some progress, but if this affects Starry Sky TV station, the higher-ups
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