"LX is a global company," one person said, expressing their thoughts. "I don't think it's a loss if they acquire our company."
"Yeah, it's not," another chimed in. "We're just worried that they won't keep us and lay off all the staff."Someone immediately exclaimed, "Ah... That would be bad."In the MN Building, tension filled the air, and an indiscernible pressure hung over the surroundings. It was as quiet as a graveyard. The reason for this stifling atmosphere was the impending acquisition of the company by the LX multinational company, scheduled to take place in half an hour.LX was owned by the influential Stone family, with Elliot Stone at the helm. They were considered the dominant force in the business sector, holding significant power and influence.The elevator on the top floor dinged, and the doors slid open, revealing a man stepping out. It was Elliot Stone, the President of LX. With his tall, upright figure and handsome appearance, he wore a custom-made suit jacket over a white pleated shirt. Although his attire appeared simple, it was made of limited edition clothes. However, the normally expressionless face of Elliot now displayed anger as he rushed towards the door, seemingly searching for something. The limited edition suit he wore showed signs of wrinkling from his quick movements."Could it be that the negotiations have failed?" speculated some uninformed subordinates, concern lacing their words. "LX won't give up on us, will they?"Amidst the chatter, Elliot continued his search until he stopped abruptly. His secretary hurriedly approached him, holding a crying baby in her arms. Unable to console the infant, she had no choice but to hand the baby over to his father.Elliot took the baby in his arms, and miraculously, the crying ceased instantly. Yet, he had only just met his son for five minutes.Just moments earlier, Elliot had been discussing the acquisition with his secretary. Suddenly, the cry of a baby interrupted their conversation. Both of them turned their attention to a package in the corner of the room.The secretary cautiously approached and opened the package, revealing a shocking sight. Even Elliot displayed a rare expression of surprise on his face.Inside the box was a baby, crying and flailing on all fours. Although taken aback, the secretary quickly scooped up the baby in her arms.Confused, the secretary looked at Elliot and said, "President, this..."Without hesitation, Elliot reached out to hold the baby, and the secretary's hands were empty. As soon as Elliot cradled the boy, he quieted down, his eyes fixed on his father.Elliot gazed back at the baby, captivated by his beautiful, shining black eyes. Something stirred within him, a foreign feeling he couldn't comprehend. He felt an unexpected attachment to the child.It was then that Elliot noticed a piece of paper clutched in the baby's hand. Furrowing his brow, he pulled it out and curiously unfolded it. The small handwriting seemed somewhat familiar as he began to read.The letter read,- Elliot, the baby is left to you. Take care of him. There is no need to mention my presence.Elliot's expression turned somber. He flipped the paper over and saw the name of the sender. It was Avery.A layer of ice seemed to cover Elliot's face as realization set in. He tightly clenched the card in his hand, his fingers trembling unknowingly. He scanned his surroundings, finding them empty, with only his assistant by his side.Grimly, he settled back into a chair, his gaze filled with determination. Memories of the woman who deceived him a year ago, leading to their unwanted encounter, flooded his mind. He felt a deep sense of annoyance.Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he narrowed his eyes. He glanced at his assistant and asked, his voice laced with teeth-gritting frustration, "What happened to the person who delivered this?"The assistant, quick-witted and efficient, responded immediately, "They are downstairs with our partner who just arrived."Handing the baby back to the secretary, Elliot hastily made his way downstairs. However, when he reached the lower level, there was no trace of the person in question.Unbeknownst to Elliot, Avery was still in the vicinity, skillfully blending into the crowd of people. But he couldn't see her.Elliot's expression grew complicated. His anger surged as he thought back to a year ago when the woman tricked him into a relationship for fame and money. She drugged him and took advantage of him, only to disappear with a sum of money.He never expected to encounter her again, but this time, she didn't come alone. She left a child in his arms, a child so innocent and adorable.His anger intensified at the thought. She had taken a huge risk, nearly getting caught, and what angered him even more was how she managed to escape right under his nose.The baby in his arms started crying frantically once again. Suppressing the unpleasant expression on his face, Elliot looked down at the bundled child.His gaze turned complex, mirroring the turmoil within his heart.Outside the building, Avery disguised herself in a staff uniform, pretending to be an employee of the company. After some time, she walked away from the crowd and gazed up at the top floor of the building. She tightly pursed her lips, feeling her heart constrict."I'm sorry, Daniel..." she thought sadly.She couldn't do anything about it. She loved Elliot Stone deeply, but he couldn't see the extent of her love. He despised her.A year ago, she deceived him into a night of passion, but afterward, fear consumed her, preventing her from facing him. It was during that time that she became pregnant. She gave birth to triplets.Two months prior, the babies were born, and while the twins were healthy, the youngest boy was diagnosed with congenital leukemia. Moreover, he had RH-negative blood, a rare blood type. The only person she knew who shared that blood type was Elliot Stone.Avery was burdened with numerous problems, including the exorbitant medical expenses and the challenge of finding a suitable bone marrow match.Elliot was the only one who could fulfill both conditions.Despite his hatred for her, Daniel was his own flesh and blood. Even a fierce tiger wouldn't harm its own cub.And so, Avery took a gamble. She entrusted the child to him.Knowing that the child had safely reached Elliot's hands, Avery breathed a sigh of relief. Though weighed down by sorrow and aching regret, she fought back tears and turned away.Perhaps she would never see her son again. But she hoped he would live a good life...Six years had passed since that fateful day. Avery, now a young and successful doctor, stood at Country W International Airport. The arrivals area bustled with people coming and going, friends and family eagerly awaiting their loved ones. Among the crowd, a few fans gathered, eagerly anticipating the arrival of their idol. The air was filled with excitement and familiar names being called out.Avery gracefully maneuvered her suitcase, her heels clicking against the ground as she made her way through the crowd. Walking beside her were her twins, a boy and a girl, both around five years old. They possessed striking resemblances to their mother, radiating charm and cuteness.The boy, dressed in casual attire, had a cool expression on his small face. Meanwhile, his sister, wearing a pink dress with her hair tied up in a ponytail, beamed with a wide smile on her adorable face. The boy noticed something falling from Daisy's belongings and complained in a small voice, urging her to walk more
Elliot possessed an extraordinary handsomeness and an impressive demeanor that set him apart from his peers. He effortlessly stood out in any crowd, leaving a lasting impression with every stroke of his facial features.It had been six years since Avery last laid eyes on him, but time had seemingly left no marks on his face. He appeared ageless, exuding an even greater sense of calm and handsomeness. Elliot had always been attractive and impressive, but now he seemed even more captivating.Avery was taken aback by his sudden presence, momentarily stunned. As she gathered her senses, she noticed her two children running off in the distance, laughing and carefree. Normally, such a sight would warm Avery's heart, but this time, they were heading straight toward Elliot.Her heart skipped a beat, and unable to shout out to stop them, she swiftly moved forward with agility. She intercepted the children, shielding them from Elliot's view, and held them tightly in her arms, just like a mother
With a scream escaping her lips, Avery's swift and agile movements propelled her toward the endangered child. The wind howled past her ears as she managed to secure the little boy in her arms, narrowly avoiding the passing car. Relief washed over her as if she had just survived a disaster.Although her heart pounded fiercely, she couldn't hear the child's cry. Panicking, she looked down and realized that he must have been terrified. Hastily releasing him, Avery prepared to offer comfort when she caught sight of his face. Frozen in place, her body turned rigid like a block of wood.The small face before her resembled David's in every way. They were strikingly similar, with handsome features and dark, obsidian-like eyes. Her hand trembled as she realized that this was her child, her son Daniel. Overwhelmed with excitement, words failed her momentarily. But once she regained her composure, she swiftly moved the child to safety.As she looked at his frightened expression, guilt and self-b
Just then, a young woman dressed casually with a ponytail rushed over in a panic and placed a teddy bear in the child's arms. She spoke apologetically, "Daniel, I'm sorry. I went too far. I helped you get the bear you wanted. Can you forgive me? Next time, I'll be with you."As Avery observed the scene, her eyebrows furrowed. She scrutinized the woman before her—her petite figure, delicate face, and youthful appearance. Avery couldn't help but think that Elliot's taste in women was rather immature.She glanced at the pink teddy bear in Daniel's arms and couldn't understand how the woman could think he wanted it. The child's previously expressionless face now furrowed in displeasure. It was evident that he didn't like the bear at all. Avery wondered how the woman failed to see that.Elliot, suspicious of Avery, looked at her briefly before bending down to inspect his son. He took the pink bear from Daniel's hands and tossed it back to the woman. Coldly, he remarked, "He doesn't like th
Elliot glanced at the rearview mirror, his surprise evident as he caught sight of what his son held in his hand. They rarely carried any items with them when they went out, and certainly not such childish toys found in Daniel's grasp. Curiosity piqued, he took advantage of the traffic red light to turn his head and inquire, "Daniel, tell Daddy where you got those ducks from?"Daniel's eyes narrowed, his small pupils conveying a hint of unease. Clutching the little duck protectively, he remained silent, his lips pursed tightly. Elliot's mind drifted back to the encounter he had just had with a woman on the street—an encounter that seemed to have brought him unexpected luck.Daniel had received something from that mysterious woman.Elliot couldn't shake off the peculiar feeling he had whenever he thought about her. It was like a fleeting breeze that slipped through his fingers whenever he tried to grasp it, vanishing in an instant.Sophie, observing Elliot's frustration, grabbed hold of
After years of not seeing her, Susan's eyes were red with emotion as Avery scuttled over to her, shouting excitedly. The woman, although only in her forties, appeared much older due to the hardships she had faced in life. Avery flew into her arms, and Susan embraced her goddaughter tightly, tears streaming down her face. "Avery, is it because I'm about to die that you're finally willing to come and visit me?" Susan playfully complained.Avery wasn't fooled. She knew her initially strict mother had claimed there was an urgent matter, but she had a premonition that it was because Susan was aging and wanted to see her precious daughter one more time. Avery listened to her words, feeling a mix of heartache and guilt."I'm sorry, Mom. Many things have happened in the past few years, and I haven't been able to come back to see you. This time, you'll come with me to the city to live. I can see that your legs and feet aren't as good as they used to be, and I worry about you," Avery thought t
Avery's gaze remained fixed on the television as she read the advertisement silently. In two days, the Stone family would be hosting a contest at their manor. The winner would not only receive a substantial reward but also be offered a high-paying position as the nanny for the Stone family's young master. The qualifications and conditions for participating were listed on the back, emphasizing the requirement of proficient English and a qualification certificate as a psychologist. It was also emphasized that the young master had a difficult temperament and communication would be a challenge, implying that patience and tolerance were necessary qualities for applicants.As Avery absorbed the information, her fists clenched tightly, and she felt an overwhelming urge to scold Daniel's stepmother and Elliot, the person responsible for raising him. How severe was Daniel's temper that it had to be publicly acknowledged? A child should be nurtured and guided from the day they were born. Did El
Outside the door, Elliot stood in the corridor, surrounded by a pile of toys, his silence speaking volumes. He had always believed his son to be obedient and docile, but reality had proven otherwise. Ever since returning from the airport, Daniel had changed. He became quieter, lost his appetite, and refused to sleep through the night. Elliot couldn't understand what was causing this sudden change in his son's behavior.Frustrated and unable to vent his anger on a sick child, Elliot found himself blaming Avery. That woman, he thought bitterly. His subordinates had reported her falling into the river six years ago, but despite his efforts to search for her, he found no trace of her existence, dead or alive. He had long considered her dead and had even contemplated finding another woman to play the role of Daniel's mother. However, he couldn't bear the thought of his son being hurt, so he couldn't rush the process of finding a suitable stepmother.His mind was fixed on a particular perso
When Daisy observed her brother's peculiar smile, she couldn't help but feel a chill in her heart. It was an unsettling sight for her, a soft-hearted girl, and she suddenly feel a hint of sympathy for the man named Elliot. However, she didn't intervene or stop her brother, allowing her curiosity to guide her actions.Like a curious cat, Daisy watched intently as David skillfully typed a series of English letters, repeatedly pressing the enter key. The computer screen was soon filled with a dense white code against the black background.Meanwhile, in the study of Stone Manor, Elliot reclined in his chair, closing his eyes. Suddenly, the landline phone on his desk rang, prompting him to sit up and answer it in a methodical manner.As soon as the call connected, instead of hearing Julian's voice, Elliot was bombarded with chaotic screams coming from the other end. Frowning, he listened attentively, trying to make sense of the commotion."What's going on?" Elliot's eyes darkened with a to
On the other hand, when Avery and David returned home, they startled Daisy. Curious about what had happened, Daisy asked them for an explanation. David recounted the rescue process. Seeing Daisy's excitement, Avery handed her over to David, treating her like a little adult, as Avery needed some time to calm her emotions.Feeling exposed by Elliot so quickly and in such a humiliating way, Daisy couldn't help but feel ashamed. She scolded herself inwardly for her failure.With that incident fresh in Avery's mind, she felt a bit uneasy about the safety of her two precious children. Before heading upstairs to freshen up in the bathroom, she told the two of them, who were still engaged in conversation, "From today onwards, you two can no longer go out alone.""Mummy, we understand," Daisy obediently nodded, her mind filled with the fear-inducing scene of her mother being locked up."Okay," David replied nonchalantly, as if lost in thought.Observing their well-behaved expressions, Avery t
The person in the video turned out to be none other than Daniel."Has Daniel been here?!" Elliot furrowed his brow, carefully examining the image multiple times. The movements, demeanor, and vague expression of the person in the video perfectly matched Daniel.But wasn't Daniel supposed to be in his small bedroom in the front yard? When did he come here?Soon, Elliot found an answer to this doubt when the housekeeper mentioned that Daniel had been absent from his bedroom for some time. It seemed that he had slipped away during a moment of distraction."This little rascal!"Just as Elliot was engrossed in the video, it abruptly turned black. He clicked and tried to switch to the next screen, but it remained useless, still displaying darkness."Daddy is stupid, Daddy is stupid!" The little robot in Elliot's hand loudly screeched with its demonic voice.The bodyguard struggled to hold back his laughter, realizing that only the young master in the imperial capital could dare to call Maste
Elliot's expression suddenly turned dark, and he felt the urge to run. He forcefully disconnected the phone call, marched towards the door, hesitated, took three steps forward, and then hurriedly turned back towards the bedside. Despite his reluctance, he lifted Daniel and placed him gently on the bed, covering him with a quilt. Sternly, he commanded, "Stay here obediently. Don't wander around without sleeping!"Daniel looked at his father's serious face and quieted down, responding with a soft "Hmm."Observing his father's anxious demeanor, Daniel realized that there must be an emergency, and decided to postpone their discussion for later.Leaving the bedroom, Elliot walked purposefully towards the utility room in the backyard.After a sleepless night filled with restlessness, the sky was on the verge of dawn, revealing a faint silver hue in the distance.Elliot's gaze fixated on the disheveled lock on the door, his fist gradually clenching tighter and tighter."Avery, you treacherou
Daniel stared at Elliot in disbelief, his eyes filled with astonishment. The cold expression on Elliot's face seemed ready to explode with anger, but there was also a hint of longing. Daniel's little nose wrinkled in aggrieved sadness as he realized that his father had no intention of bringing back his aunt.With a pouting mouth, Daniel deliberately spoke up, "No, I don't want my father to accompany me. I want my aunt."Elliot's eyes widened, and anger surged within him. How could this heartless child, whom he had raised and accompanied for six years, show such ingratitude over a woman he barely knew?"No aunt, go to sleep!" Elliot forcefully covered Daniel with a quilt, restricting his movements. Daniel struggled, using his hands and feet to free himself."Bad dad, I want my aunt! My aunt promised she would stay with me today."His aunt had made him a promise.Elliot lay down next to him, placing the little one in the crook of his arm, thinking that Daniel would eventually tire himse
Elliot had set up the code with the knowledge that only Daniel could decipher it. There was no other way to escape from this room, so she had no choice but to seek help from David."Mommy, you're locked up. Who would dare to do anything to you?" David's voice turned cold as he heard about his mother's predicament on the other end of the phone. He vowed not to spare the person who dared to harm his mother."Don't worry, Mommy is fine. You must prioritize your safety when you come," Avery hurriedly reassured her son, concerned that his anxiety might lead to reckless actions."Don't worry, Mommy. I'm on my way." David didn't have time to think about retrieving his tools from the study. After receiving the location, he set off immediately.Within ten minutes, David arrived at the vast Stone family estate as swiftly as possible. Skillfully evading several bodyguards, he searched through the numerous houses until he found the locked room.Under the cover of darkness, Daniel stood before the
Yes, a few days after Daniel's birth, Avery made the difficult decision to give him to Elliot. It was a choice she never wanted to make, but she felt she had no other option. At that time, Daniel was diagnosed with leukemia, and his blood type was rare. Avery wanted to try to save him, but she had two other children to take care of, and she lacked the financial means and medical resources to provide the necessary treatment for Daniel. So, she believed giving him to the Stone family, who had better resources, would be the best choice, right?Elliot questioned her conscience, and indeed it hurt her deeply. How could it not?Daniel was born after a near-death experience during childbirth in October, and he was part of the flesh that came from Avery's body. She often woke up from painful nightmares, crying helplessly in the middle of the night because she missed him dearly.In her desperate pursuit to find a cure for Daniel's condition, Avery risked her life multiple times, climbing trea
Elliot's voice dripped with icy menace as he held a sharp dagger against her cheek, sending shivers down Avery's spine. Her face turned pale, and she tightly clenched her small hand, uncertain about what to do next.Should she tell the truth? No, she couldn't. If he discovered her true identity, he would never let her take her son away."Ever since the airport, you've been masquerading as this apparition, intentionally getting close to my son. And now you're here, pretending to be his nanny. Speak up! What is your true motive for approaching him?" Elliot's cold words thundered in Avery's ears as he pressed the dagger against her cheek, his other hand slowly caressing her face, smearing the thick foundation that concealed the truth, making it impossible for the naked eye to discern the extent of the deception.That despicable woman!Elliot's eyes, filled with dark coldness, pierced through Avery as he nearly saw through her facade. The realization that he had almost been deceived by he
Perhaps it was fate, tonight there was no moon, and even the bodyguards stationed outside had relaxed their vigilance. Avery held the slumbering Daniel in her arms, bypassed the bodyguards and surveillance, and ventured toward the darkness beyond the villa. With her carefully crafted disguise, she believed she could leave the city immediately, escaping his watchful eyes.A glimmer of hope ignited in Avery's heart as she realized that she could finally leave and make her long-awaited dream come true. The family of three, along with their foster mother, could finally be reunited. She had been helpless six years ago, forced to leave her loved ones behind, but now she possessed the strength to rescue Daniel from this wretched place.Unbeknownst to her, Avery had successfully evaded the surveillance and made her way out of the villa because Elliot willed it. "Daniel, we can finally begin a new life together, openly and honestly," she whispered to the sleeping child. Just as she was overcom