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
"Fine," Michelle sneered. "Let's see who the chief editor sides with!""Enough!" Suddenly, Kate was standing behind them, her expression stern and displeased. Seeing them argue without regard for their colleagues' presence made her even more upset.Michelle quickly turned to Kate and said, "Chief Editor, you're just in time. Please judge this fairly. They ruined my work and damaged my reputation. I was about to secure an exclusive interview with Miranda, a rising star, which would have brought tremendous benefits to us. But they...""Enough!" Kate cut her off, her cold gaze fixed on Michelle.Michelle, trying to appear calm but feeling a bit panicked, she stammered, "Chief Editor, I’m telling the truth.""Do you even realize what you've done?" Kate questioned sternly. "Miranda's reputation is already in shambles. Her actions have caused public outrage, and she might even get blacklisted. And yet you're talking about this? Those inaccurate reports you published have severely affect
Michelle's voice faded as she was dragged away. Kate turned to Nina and Angel. "Thanks to both of you, we've managed to restore Starry Sky TV station’s reputation."Angel, being praised for the first time, blushed a little. "Chief Editor, we just reported the truth. As long as it didn’t affect the station, that’s what matters."Kate looked at them, erasing their worries. "Remember, our job is to pursue the truth and reveal it. You did the right thing."From Kate, they received validation.Kate turned to Nina. "I can see you put a lot of effort into this."For Nina, it was also personal. "I did what a reporter should do.""Your writing and professional skills are impressive," Kate said, appreciating Nina's work. "Keep it up, and you'll have a bright future.""Thank you, Chief Editor," Nina responded politely.After Kate left, the whole department burst into celebration. The troublesome Michelle was finally gone, and they were grateful to Nina and Angel for standing up against
Nina chuckled lightly, her tone mocking. "Your entertainment company's executives must be running around in circles with worry, yet here you are, taking the time to find me."Nash's deep gaze remained fixed on Nina, taking in her sarcasm and mockery. He replied, "It's just an entertainment company. Do you really think I care?"Hearing this, Nina looked up again and saw the genuine concern in Nash's eyes. It seemed to say that compared to her, his entertainment company meant nothing. Wasn’t the company founded for Miranda? Could this mean she was more important to him than Miranda?Nina quickly brushed aside such thoughts. The bond between Miranda and Nash seemed far more convincing. "How am I supposed to know? There's no need to say more," she said, choosing to avoid the topic. Seeing a taxi stop in front of her, she added, "I'm going home. Please step aside."She tried to pass by him to get into the taxi, but Nash grabbed her hand. She was moving quickly, and the sudden pull m
Nash effortlessly picked her up and said softly, "Since you won't listen to me, I have no choice but to do this."Nina was annoyed and retorted, "Are you a robber? Forcing me like this!""It's better than you acting on impulse!""How am I acting on impulse?" Nina countered.Nash’s expression became more serious as he replied calmly, "Do you remember the last time you were overworked and almost had a miscarriage? Today, you’ve been busy with Miranda’s issue, haven't you?"Hearing this, Nina's agitation subsided. "What does that have to do with me taking a taxi home?"Nash had already carried her to the car and put her down, staring at her intently. "What if your stomach starts hurting on the way? You just said it hurt a moment ago. How can I be at ease letting you go home alone?"His words revealed his concern for her.So he remembered.Nina bit her lip, remaining silent for a moment. She could feel Nash’s worry and care but feared it was just her wishful thinking. She had not
"What are you trying to say?" Nina asked."To divorce me, you might even lie that the child is Scott’s," Nash replied.Nina could count the times she had lied to Nash on one hand. If it was not necessary, she would not lie to him. And she never claimed the child was Scott's. She never admitted that.Turning to him, she countered, "If it's not Scott’s, then could it be yours?""Who exactly is Zac?" Nash’s expression turned serious. "Nina, is this person real, or did you make him up to provoke me?"He had searched extensively, investigating everyone she had ever known, but found no trace of anyone named Zac. It could have been a nickname, but even then, there were no leads.When he pressed her on this, Nina’s heart tightened, and she instinctively clenched her fists. Should she keep this secret buried forever? If he was determined, he might figure it out eventually. Even if she revealed it, it might not matter. If he did not remember, he would forget forever.Nina decided to tel
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