Vera released Haley.Throwing her head back, the woman laughed so hard, her menacing voice shaking the walls. The bodyguard laughed along, holding his stomach and pointing at Haley. “Did you hear her, Gary? Haley wants me to beg her on my knees,” Vera said mockingly, imitating a child's voice. Then she sighed. “So the rumors are true that the stupid wife of my son has developed mental problems.” “Tsk tsk tsk.” Vera clicked her tongue, shaking her head. “If you succeed in making me kneel for you one day, Haley, I might as well kill myself.”“Is that so?” Haley raised an amused brow. “Vera Nash, never forget your promise.”Vera waved a dismissive hand and rolled her eyes. “I won't waste my time on a crazy girl like you. Only give her food once a day, Gary. Haley will remain locked up in this basement until she learns her lesson and apologizes to me.”“For your own good, apologize now, Young Miss,” the bodyguard said to Haley. “You guys might as well keep on dreaming,” Haley snicker
Instinctively, his leg pressed onto the brakes and the car came to a screeching halt. Liam had to remove the phone from his ear, giving the contact a once over. The one who'd been missing? His brother? “Are you sure he's the one?” “My boys never lie, Mr. Nash,” answered the other person. “I've sent the photo to your phone.”A photo? Hope mixed with confusion prompted Liam to check into his message media, not minding to hang up the phone. He clicked on the photo. It's him. It was his brother. Memories rushed back instantly, at the sight of that familiar figure striding out of the airport. A duffle bag hung over his shoulder, and the other hand was held out as if trying to stop a taxi. It was the same guy who went missing five years ago. Although dressed in flashy clothes, a yellow T-shirt with red sunglasses, Liam would never mistake those features that greatly resembled his. Time sure flew like the wind. Was this even real? They'd literally turned the whole nation upsi
The basement had been Daryl's favorite hiding spot. He'd spend the whole day there sometimes without anyone noticing, until whenever he decided to come out. “Ah! The basement! You're right, Young Master!” The servant exclaimed. But on Liam's mother's face was an alarmed look. “No one has visited that basement for years! How can a human being be hiding there?”“B-But, Madam, we've searched everywhere else except-”“Shut up!” Vera cut the young maid off with a resounding slap. Her action was too sudden, jolting everyone including Liam. “You! Vera, why are you being harsh? Why can't you show mercy to the servants?” Grandma Lily stared at her in displeasure. “Can't you see she's disrespectful, Mother? How dare she speak when I was speaking?”The young maid only said a simple sentence that everyone here could say. Liam frowned. “That’s wrong, Mum.”“You. You're also backing her up!” Vera blinked her teary eyes. “Why does everyone hate me in this house? I thought I have the right to
The air froze, and a deafening silence descended.Liam stilled in his spot, his gaze fixed on his brother,And the girl that was with him. Haley?Not only did she look haggard and dusty, she also appeared weak, leaning against his brother for support.“Ahhhhh!” A high-pitched scream pierced through the atmosphere.The scream came from no one but the woman who was now trembling in Liam's arms. His mother literally jumped to her feet. Hadn't she been unconscious? But no one paid her attention as they all gathered around Daryl. “No way, it's the second young master!”“Oh, my gosh! He's back!”“The second young master is alive!”“How unbelievable!”The servants jumped excitedly, clapping and smiling. While Grandma Lily shed more tears. “My dear grandson, where did you go? How did you come back? I… I was very worried. Were you kidnapped, dear?”But five years ago, the family not only searched everywhere… they'd also had every gang member investigated.No one admitted to kidnapping Da
Right!Why didn't Liam think about that?It was the quickest way to know whether Haley or his mother was speaking the truth. But then, Did they really need the surveillance camera?How could he deny the obvious truth when it was right in front of him?If it turned out his mother was lying, it wouldn't only be humiliating her in public,Her reputation would also be gone. “My grandson is smart as always.” Grandma Lily nodded thoughtfully. “Mary, go get the security men to check out the surveillance footage from last night.”“Haley dear…” Grandma Lily faced her, cupping her cheeks. “Grandma will get justice for you this time. This evil woman will learn her lesson today.”While Vera's pupils constricted, her face paling, the honesty in Haley's gloomy eyes was transparent.Liam shifted in discomfort. As the Stewardess walked away, he cleared his throat. “Mary, come back.”“Huh?” The Stewardess stopped walking. “Is anything the matter, Grandson?” Grandma Lily asked with concern. “Why d
… Haley left the mansion, anger coupled with disgust consuming her heart. He saw the truth. Why did he choose to deny it?What was she expecting anyway?Did she expect Liam to suddenly take her side and defend her? Of course, he would back up his mother even though Vera was in the wrong. He'd done it before, and he'd continue doing it. Haley didn't need his protection. He could go to hell for all she cared. “Hey, wait up!” Someone called out to her from a distance. Haley almost didn't recognize the voice until she turned around, coming face to face with the man who saved her. “You're leaving too soon, hope all is well.” The guy caught up with her. His voice was light and full of energy, contrary to Liam's dark and gloomy voice. The brooding man could not be compared to his brother who was all smiles and lively. “Why did you follow me?” Haley eyed his features, finding herself comparing the similarities between the brothers. Daryl shrugged. “Remember you're my responsibilit
Liam might have played a part but he didn't have a hand in her disappearance. It was completely his mother's fault. Wasn't it because of him that Haley was getting into all this trouble? “I'm alright. Can you pick me up at the Nash District?” Haley replied instead. “Nash District? What are you doing there, Haley?” Her brother's displeasure was evident through the tone of his voice. “I spent the night at Grandma Lily's place,” Haley replied.If she told him what exactly happened, it might worsen things. Haley wanted to fight her battles alone and not implicate others. Vera Nash must be basking in her success, but not for long. However, involving her brother in the matter wouldn't do them any good. “Hang in there. I'm on my way,” Andrew said before ending the call. Twenty minutes later, his car pulled over. Haley was sitting under the tree, playing with stone pebbles. She got to her feet the moment he arrived, and entered his car. Her brother's anger hadn't gone away. Lip
The voices outside quietened down for some seconds, increasing Haley's confusion. Neither the security man nor the lady spoke again,Until the sounds of footsteps resumed, closer this time.“Where is she!?” Camille barged into the place. “Where is that slut who's been seducing my husband? You'd better come out-”She paused, her gaze snapping to the dining table. Camille staggered and her bag dropped onto the couch, while she let out a loud scream. “Ahhhhh! Oh, my goodness!” Hugging her pregnancy bump, Camille sank onto the couch, her face twisting with pain. “Oh, God! I think my baby's coming!”Standing up, Andrew breathed out an exasperated sigh before sitting beside her. Haley left the dining table too and sat on the lady's other side. “Andy, help!” She cried. “You're alright, Camille.” Sounding helpless, Andrew carefully rubbed her stomach. “You were moving too vigorously and shouting, of course, the baby would be disturbed.”Her pregnancy wasn't so big to expect a baby so so