Ethan approached her and asked, "Are Mrs. Hoffman and Mr. Jefferson still chatting away? I've made a reservation at the restaurant. I'll treat everyone to a good meal later."Jazzie ground her teeth. With a scowl on her face, she said, "My mother already knows the truth, so you don't need to play pretend anymore. You can do whatever the hell it is that you do, Dr. Xavier."After that, Jazzie turned her wheelchair around and left without looking back.Seeing her leave furiously, Ethan got confused. He asked, "What did I do this time to get on her bad side? She was fine moments ago. Why is she angry now?"Warren knew the answer to that, but he kept it to himself. With a mischievous grin on his face, he asked, "Why do you despise that arranged marriage so much, anyway? Have you met the girl before?""I met her when we were kids. She was like an ugly duckling who followed me around everywhere. Also, she cried so much. She has obviously grown to become a spoilt brat. There's no way I c
Iris' heart broke when she heard Clara's plea to be saved.Her tears rolled down her cheeks.As soon as she left the prison and got into the car, she dialed a number and made a call."I want to save Clara. Help me come up with a solution."Inside the living room of a mansion, a man wearing a black tuxedo was sitting in a wheelchair. Evil and cruelty were written all over his face."Just do your job," he said. "Do not panic and wait for my instructions."Iris gripped her phone so tightly that her fingertips were turning white. She said, "You promised me that you wouldn't hurt her. Clara is incarcerated and being tortured every day. She will die if this keeps going on."The man's gaze glowed sinisterly. His voice carried no warmth when he replied."If she hadn't made a mistake and slept with other men outside the country, she would already be married into the Larkin family. We wouldn't have our hands tied, either."Do not forget your mission, Iris. If you are kicked out of the L
Hearing those words, Iris' tears instantly rolled down her cheeks.Regret was written all over her face when she said, "Sonya was worried about her daughter and wanted me to take care of the baby. That must have been her dying wish. That was why I had been so nice to Clara all these years. I treated her as if she were my own."How was I supposed to know she was not Sonya's baby? If I had known that the baby was Evelyn, there was no way I would have stopped the two of you from being together."Iris cried as though she were actually hurting and heartbroken.She even hit her chest repeatedly in remorse. In a regretful and sorrowful tone, she cried, "This is all my fault. I didn't think that things would turn out this way. I owe Evelyn, and I am a bad friend to Sonya."Warren, go bring Evelyn home right away. I want to apologize properly and beg for her forgiveness."Warren's expression showed that he wasn't swayed at all. In fact, his tone became even harsher."You killed her great
Upon hearing this, Warren's eyes narrowed. "You know everything?" he asked in a deep voice. Sally nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. "I used to have suspicions, but hearing you now, I'm certain. Warren, you've suffered so much for Evie. I'm so happy for Sonya. She made the right choice in you." Warren replied solemnly, "Grandma, it's my duty." Hearing him address her as "Grandma", Sally shed a few tears. Not only had she found her granddaughter, but she also learned that Evelyn was pregnant. Now, Warren also considered her as his grandmother. Overwhelmed with emotion, Sally grasped Warren's hand. She turned excitedly to Bonnie. "My grandson-in-law called me Grandma." Bonnie, knowing the truth, couldn't stop smiling. "Sonya chose him for Evie from the start. It's only right he calls you Grandma. Warren, now that Clara is in prison and Iris is not allowed to go outside, the danger has passed. Can you bring Evie home so we can see her and the baby?" Warren hesitated. "It's
Evelyn was surprised. She remembered Warren always addressing Sally as "Grandma Sally". When had he started calling her just "Grandma"? But recalling the story Chet once told her, she felt deep sympathy for Sally. Her daughter, Sonya, had been murdered, and the granddaughter she loved for over 20 years turned out to be the child of a mistress. Seeing the hopeful look in Sally's eyes and sensing her longing, Evelyn warmly called out, "Grandma." Upon hearing Evelyn's words, Sally's long-held emotions finally broke free. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she nodded repeatedly, her voice trembling. "My dear, I'm so happy to see you. Please take good care of yourself." "I will, thanks, Grandma." Watching their close interaction, Simon felt his eyes moisten. He knew Sally had discovered Evelyn's true identity and that their reunion was inevitable. But Evelyn was the daughter he had raised with all his heart and soul. The thought of her reuniting with her biological family pained hi
Skyler wore a light green evening gown, which was quickly stained crimson as the chandelier crashed onto her back. The blood streamed down her body. Dennis rushed forward, his voice filled with unprecedented panic. "Mom, are you okay?" Skyler briefly closed her eyes in pain. Seeing Chester unharmed, she managed a small, relieved smile. Just as she was about to speak, she lost consciousness. Dennis quickly scooped her up and ran outside. Warren, observing the scene, immediately instructed Charlie, "Seal off this area, check the surveillance, and find out who tampered with the chandelier." "Yes, Mr. Larkin," Charlie replied. Warren then approached Evelyn, gently touching her head to comfort her. "Don't worry. I'll go check on her. Chet and the rest will help manage things here."Seeing Skyler covered in blood, Evelyn's eyes turned red with worry. She stammered, "Will Mrs. Potter be alright? She was already in fragile health." "She'll be fine. It's just a superficial wound.
"I think someone is trying to take advantage of the situation and might have further plans," Warren speculated. Dennis frowned and said, "Protect Evie. She is likely their target." Chester glanced at Dennis, noting an uncanny resemblance of Dennis' features with his. He might have thought Dennis was his son if he hadn't been faithful to Iris. He looked at Dennis with surprise as he asked carefully, "Why does Skyler have a fear of hospitals?" Dennis' expression darkened. "When she was young, she trusted the wrong man. He betrayed her, she was injured in a fire, and assassins came after her. She often woke up covered in wounds, lying in a hospital bed. That's how she developed this phobia." Hearing this, Chester felt a sharp pain in his chest. He could only imagine Dennis and Skyler's suffering—scars that would never fully heal. Grinding his teeth, Chester said, "Men like that deserve the harshest punishment. Betraying such a kind woman is inhumane." Dennis' gaze was cold.
Upon hearing this, Chester stood frozen in place, his brow furrowing. "Do you think I'm unfaithful, too?" he asked. Warren pointed out, "Isn't it true? You and Iris often argue about this." With a sigh, Chester replied, "She argues with me because I haven't been intimate with her since the kidnapping incident." "Why avoid her? Have you found someone else?" Warren inquired curiously. "It's not that. I've lost my virility. I've consulted numerous doctors and undergone countless tests. They all said I'm physically okay, but I just can't perform. I thought it was a lack of interest in Iris, so I sought solace elsewhere, but I found no interest in other women either. "You all believe I'm out there philandering, but I haven't even touched anyone. In fact, I feel repulsed by them. Psychologists say it's a psychological issue, but after years of treatment, there's been no improvement. I've given up," Chester explained. This was the first time Warren confronted his father's issues.
Every word Linda spoke conveyed Warren's trust in her and disdain for Evelyn. She was suggesting that he didn't even want to come in person to visit Simon.Evelyn could tell what Linda was thinking. A faint, cold smile curved at the corner of her lips.She took out her phone from her bag, looked at Linda, and said, "Is that so? Then, I should personally call Mr. Larkin to thank him for remembering my father's kindness toward him."After she finished speaking, she started pretending to make a phone call.Linda immediately spoke up to stop her. "Mr. Larkin is very busy and currently in a meeting, so please do not disturb him.""Is it that he's busy, or is it that you don't want him to know you're visiting my father without his permission?"Linda realized that her thoughts were seen through by Evelyn, so she decided not to pretend anymore.A slight smirk appeared at the corner of her mouth. "Evelyn, back then, you took so much from Warren without regard for his well-being. Your hea
Evelyn immediately took out a piece of tissue to help Simon wipe away his tears. She said softly, "Dad, I know you have a lot you want to say to Ms. Dawson, so please wake up soon. We're all waiting for you."Simon's eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if he was agreeing to the promise.After that, Erica took out silver needles from her bag and inserted them into the acupuncture points on Simon's head.…One hour later, the first acupuncture session was complete.Evelyn asked with some concern, "Ms. Dawson, how is my dad?"Erica was tidying up while speaking, "His condition is better than I expected. At this rate, he should be showing more obvious responses in about a week."Hearing these words, Evelyn looked at her excitedly. "Really? That's great! My dad has hope now!"Ms. Dawson, you've been running around all day. Let me take you to eat first, then you can rest at the hotel."Just as she finished speaking, Simon grabbed Erica's hand.Seeing this scene, Evelyn's eyes widened
The room suddenly became so quiet that they could even hear each other's breathing.Tears welled up in Erica's eyes as she stared at Simon. She only went to his bedside, taking a few difficult steps, after several minutes.Erica gently placed her fingertips on Simon's wrist as tears fell onto his arm.Watched her unusual reaction, Evelyn finally remembered where she had seen Erica before.There was a picture of a women hidden in Simon's private photo album. If Evelyn wasn't mistaken, that woman is Erica.Simon had kept that photo all along, while Erica teared up upon seeing him. This kind of thing usually happened between couples.When Evelyn thought about it, she suddenly understood everything.Erica was someone Simon had been in love with many years ago. The unfortunate couple was separated initially because of Xena's scheme.Evelyn walked slowly to the bedside, patted Erica on the shoulder, and asked, "Do you know my dad, Dr. Dawson?"Erica wiped away her tears and sighed.
Erica was dressed very plainly, but her delicate features still stood out. The red mole near the corner of her eye felt especially familiar to Evelyn.Her first thought was that she had definitely seen Erica somewhere before.She calmly approached with a smile and said, "Dr. Dawson, we're here to fetch you to treat my father."Erica greeted them with a smile. "Come inside and have some water first. I'll go pack up, and we can leave in a short while."They followed her and entered the courtyard once more.While packing her things, Erica asked, "So, which one of you is Sophie's friend?"William, who had always been carefree and uninhibited, immediately stood up and respectfully said to Erica, "It's me. I met her in Zyldrica."Erica looked him up and down, her eyes revealing a hint of delight. "You seem very handsome and look spirited, young man."William's smile was somewhat stiff. It was the first time someone had ever complimented him, and he didn't know how to react.When fac
Evelyn stepped forward and said, "But Warren and the others have been doing everything they can to find you and get you out."Alfred shook his head. "If I leave, that bastard will know that you all have discovered his secret. All your subsequent plans will fail."I'm staying here since he won't do anything to me anyway. I still have something I haven't given him yet. How else do you think I've lived until now?"You all should leave quickly. Just pretend nothing happened. My granddaughter and I will handle that jerk ourselves.""Mr. Miller Senior—"Evelyn wanted to say something else, but Nathan, who was behind her, grabbed her abruptly.He furrowed his brow and looked at Alfred. "Evelyn, Mr. Miller Senior is right. If he leaves, Warren's plan will be ruined. Don't worry, I'll assign someone to keep an eye on this place and make sure nothing will happen to him."Evelyn was eager to save Alfred so that Warren could launch a full-scale attack on Russell. Only then could they reunit
Elma shook her head in disbelief. "That's impossible. You're talking nonsense. My dad was killed by Chester long ago. The person who killed him is not Sir."Evelyn gave a calm smile. "He says he's protecting you, but in reality, he has always treated you as a pawn to control Iris. Otherwise, your mother wouldn't risk her life so willingly for him."I could never understand why Iris would obey someone so willingly. But then I met you, and everything became clear to me."Have you never wondered why your mother looks so much like Mrs. Larkin? That person definitely won't tell you that they are twin sisters."You're also the one keeping an eye on this old man's biological daughter. That person has known about this secret for a long time but has kept it from Iris to fully control her."Whether it's your father, Ronald, or your mother, Iris, their tragic lives were all caused by that 'Sir' you mentioned. Do you want to follow in their footsteps?"Hearing these words, Elma glared at Eve
The gears lunged toward them, like a giant shark with its jaws wide open.Just then, Nathan suddenly held Evelyn in his arms. In a low and hoarse voice filled with suppressed emotion, he called out softly, "Evie."His grip around her was tight. It felt as if he wanted to fuse Evelyn into himself. At the same time, he pressed a button that was a disgusting shade of yellow with his other hand.Everyone was wide-eyed with fear, staring intently at the turning gears.If the wrong button was pressed, not only would the gears not stop, but other traps in this room might be activated. They were in double jeopardy, and there was no escape for them.At that critical moment, the rumbling sound of the gears gradually diminished until it faded away entirely. The gears stopped just short of three feet away from them.Evelyn looked up at Nathan, her eyes wide with shock, and her voice trembling. "Nathan, we're saved."Nathan smiled and gently brushed her hair. "I told you, I won't let anythin
The elderly man was none other than Warren's grandfather, Alfred. But wasn't Alfred being held in Milania by Russell? Moreover, he had been poisoned and was supposed to be unconscious.Yet, the elderly man before them was sitting at a table, leisurely playing a game of chess.Evelyn didn't have time to think much. She pressed the switch next to her, opened the door, and rushed in.Just as they went in, the glass door automatically closed behind them, and the entire room started to slowly descend—right into where the gears were turning.Evelyn looked at Nathan with some panic. "I think we've been tricked."Nathan looked at a control panel in the room and said, "Don't worry. This is the control console. As long as we find the button to stop the gears from turning, we'll be fine."After speaking, he carefully examined the central control panel.At that moment, Elma's laughter echoed again in the room. "Evelyn, this control panel has 81 buttons, and each one will trigger a different
Elma's eyes seemed so familiar to Evelyn that they left a deep impression in her mind.When Evelyn was deep in thought, she suddenly opened her eyes wide as a name popped into her mind—Iris Lindt.Elma's eyes and nose looked a lot like Iris'. Could it be that they were related?Evelyn tried to stand up and look for William and Nathan, but her hands and feet were tied, making moving impossible.She softly called out, "William? Mr. Holland?"There was no response, so she tried calling out again. This time, a deep, hoarse voice rang out close by. "Evelyn, I'm over here."Nathan's voice was urgent and full of concern. In the darkness, Evelyn almost mistook it again for Warren's voice.She responded, "Mr. Holland, where is William?"Nathan kicked William beside him and said, "He's next to me. The drug seems to be affecting him more. Don't be afraid, I'll be over there right away."After speaking, Nathan crawled toward Evelyn. Seeing her pale face, he felt a bit concerned and asked,