Rita returned to her parents' home, and when they saw that she had safely returned, they all breathed a sigh of relief.The two little ones, Aidan and Emma, were also arranged by Jaden to be brought back.Rita's parents enveloped her in a warm embrace, their faces etched with a mixture of worry and joy. "Oh, Rita, we were so worried about you," her mother exclaimed, tears glistening in her eyes.Rita held them tightly, feeling a rush of emotions. "I'm sorry for causing you so much concern," she whispered, her voice trembling. "But I had to find out the truth about everything."Her father stepped back slightly to look at her, his expression a mix of understanding and curiosity. "What did you uncover, Rita? What led you to take such risks?"As Rita recounted her journey, from the mysterious messages to the hidden clues that guided her, her parents listened intently, their brows furrowing as the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place."But why would anyone want to target you, dear
Weeks later, Rita visited a design studio for a collaboration discussion. If everything went well, she could wrap up her trip and return home with her children within a week. However, at the entrance of the studio, she saw Jaden.Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the tall figure standing by the door, a hint of surprise and uncertainty etched across his face.Jaden handed Rita the divorce certificate between him and Percy, his face filled with anticipation. Rita found it a bit hard to believe, but she feigned composure. She returned the divorce certificate to Jaden, telling him not to disrupt her life anymore, as it had nothing to do with her.Rita's eyes narrowed slightly, her voice carrying a note of caution. "Jaden, I appreciate your effort to share this with me, but I fail to see how your divorce concerns me."Jaden sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I thought you should know, considering how close we used to be. Percy and I decided to part ways, and it's been a dif
Rita immediately called Jaden, surprisingly, he answered. Jaden promised he would be back in half an hour.Rita's heart pounded as Jaden stepped into the room, his gaze meeting hers with a mix of apprehension and remorse. The air in the room grew heavy with tension, each second ticking by like an eternity."Jaden," Rita's voice trembled, "Is it true? Did you really orchestrate those attacks on Noah's company?"Jaden's shoulders slumped, his expression a blend of resignation and guilt. "Yes, Rita," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm responsible for the attacks. But before you say anything else, you need to know the whole story."Rita's eyes narrowed, her anger and confusion fueling her desire for answers. "Go on, then. Explain."Jaden took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving Rita's. "Years ago, when Noah's company was thriving, I was part of a promising start-up. We were on the brink of something big, and Noah saw us as competition. He played dirty, sabotaged our eff
The next morning, Rita opened her eyes to find Jaden holding her in his arms."Good morning, love," Jaden whispered, brushing a strand of hair away from Rita's face.Rita managed a small smile, still processing the news. "Morning," she replied softly. "Did you... Did you really announce the wedding date without discussing it with me first?"Jaden's expression softened as he tightened his embrace. "I wanted it to be a surprise, something special for you."Rita's gaze fell to the bedsheet, her fingers tracing the pattern absentmindedly. "It is special, but... Jaden, we need to talk about this. I appreciate the sentiment, but there's so much to consider."He nodded, his fingers gently lifting her chin to meet his eyes. "You're right, Rita. I should have talked to you first. I just got carried away with the excitement of it all."She took a deep breath, her emotions a whirlwind. "Jaden, I love you, but a wedding is a big step and I can't marry you at all. We haven't even discussed the det
Rita coldly gazed at Percy's disheveled state, her eyes filled with hatred. In the past, Percy had caused her to miscarry, kidnapped her and her child, and even attempted to kill her several times. Yet now, Percy was still living well.As Rita's piercing stare bore into Percy, a tense silence hung in the air. The room seemed to shrink under the weight of their shared history, and Percy shifted uncomfortably under Rita's glare. Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, Percy's voice trembled as she spoke."Pity... that's what you want, isn't it?" Percy's tone wavered between defiance and vulnerability.Rita's lips curled into a malicious smile, her eyes narrowing. "Pity? You think I want you to feel sorry for me? After everything you've done?"Percy's jaw clenched, and she took a step forward. "No, Rita. I don't expect you to feel sorry for me. But I won't let you control my emotions either. I've changed. I've fought my demons and found my path."Rita's laughter dripped with sarc
Rita felt like a rapidly falling bird, and just as she was overwhelmed by pain, a flash of white light pa*sed through her mind. She opened her eyes and saw Jaden's weary face."Jaden, is that really you?" Rita whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the chaos around them.Jaden's eyes brightened as he leaned closer, his voice a mixture of relief and concern. "Yes, Rita, it's me. You're awake. How do you feel?"Rita winced as she attempted to move, pain shooting through her body like fiery tendrils. "I… I feel like I've been trampled by a herd of wild horses."Jaden managed a faint smile, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. "You took quite a fall back there. But don't worry, we're safe now. The rescue team found us in time."Rita's brows furrowed as she struggled to piece together the fragments of her memory. "The expedition… the artifact. It all went wrong, didn't it?"Jaden nodded solemnly. "Yes, the artifact's power was more immense than we could have imagine
Jaden invited Rita to a cruise party, and Rita knew she didn't have the right to refuse. Jaden picked out a dress for Rita, perfectly accentuating her figure. Seeing the stunning Rita, Jaden couldn't help but kiss her.Jaden's lips met Rita's in a brief yet electrifying kiss. Rita's heart raced as they pulled away, both momentarily lost in the intensity of the moment."Wow," Rita whispered, her voice slightly shaky. "I wasn't expecting that."Jaden grinned, his eyes twinkling. "I couldn't resist. You look absolutely breathtaking, Rita."Rita's cheeks flushed, and she shyly looked down at the dress Jaden had chosen for her. "Thank you. This dress is... amazing.""It's nothing compared to how amazing you look wearing it," Jaden replied with a playful wink.Rita laughed softly, her nerves beginning to ease. "Well, you have a way with words."Jaden extended his arm toward her. "Shall we, my lady?"Rita hooked her arm through his, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty. As they walked
The cruise party was hosted by a wealthy British businessman who is extremely luxurious and beautiful. Rita stood on the deck, feeling the breeze, when Jaden approached from behind and kissed her ear. Rita's body heated up from this ambiguous gesture. Just as she was about to push Jaden away, a flirtatious voice sounded."Ah, young love in the air, isn't it intoxicating?" The voice belonged to Lady Victoria Ashcroft, a socialite known for her extravagant parties and sharp wit. She sauntered over to Rita and Jaden, a mischievous glint in her eyes.Rita's cheeks flushed as she stammered, "Oh, Lady Ashcroft, it's not what you think..."Lady Ashcroft chuckled, her laughter like tinkling crystals. "My dear, I've seen my fair share of romantic entanglements. No need to explain. Besides, it adds a delightful spark to the evening, wouldn't you agree?"Jaden, ever the charmer, extended a hand towards Lady Ashcroft. "Well, if that's the case, would you care to join us for a dance, Lady Ashcroft
Rita handed over the recorded phone conversation to the police, accusing Noah and Percy of kidnapping. They were taken into custody for questioning.Inside the small, sterile interrogation room, Detective Rodriguez eyed Noah and Percy sternly. "Gentlemen, you're both aware of the serious allegations against you. Rita claims she has evidence of your involvement in the kidnapping. Care to explain yourselves?"Noah exchanged a tense glance with Percy before sighing heavily. "Detective, this is all a misunderstanding. We were never involved in any kidnapping. Rita is just trying to pin something on us."Percy nodded in agreement. "Absolutely, Detective. We may have had some disagreements with Rita, but kidnapping? That's a bit extreme."Detective Rodriguez leaned forward, his gaze unwavering. "Rita seems pretty convinced that you two are responsible. And this recorded conversation she handed over, where you discuss the 'plan' and even mention the victim's name, doesn't help your case."No
The powerful will to survive continuously fueled Rita, and she had to make sure Jaden knew that she was the little girl who saved him back then. Just then, Rita heard Jaden's voice, calling out to her repeatedly. She desperately wanted to respond, but she realized she didn't have the strength to speak.As the haze of exhaustion blurred Rita's vision, she managed to raise her hand weakly in an attempt to signal Jaden. He rushed to her side, his expression a mix of relief and concern. "Rita, you're awake!" he exclaimed, gently grasping her hand.A faint smile tugged at the corners of Rita's lips as she mustered the energy to whisper, "Saved... you." Her voice was barely a whisper, but the words were enough to convey her message.Jaden's eyes widened with understanding, memories of that fateful day flooding back. "You're the one who pulled me out of the river when we were just kids, aren't you?" he asked, his voice filled with amazement. "I've always wondered who that mysterious girl was
Rita's eyes fluttered open, and she found herself in a dimly lit room. Percy was sitting beside her, concern etched on his face. "Rita, are you alright?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.She took a deep breath, her memories still swirling in her mind. "I... I remember," Rita whispered, her voice quivering. "I remember everything now, Percy."Percy's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and relief washing over him. "You do? That's incredible, Rita. What do you remember?"Tears welled up in Rita's eyes as she recounted the memories that had flooded back to her. "Jaden... the mountain... the kidnappers. I remember saving him, guiding him down the slope," she said, her voice trembling. "And the necklace, Percy. It was Jaden who caught hold of it, not you."Percy's expression darkened, his grip on the necklace tightening. "Rita, you don't understand. I... I did what I had to do to protect you. Jaden was too weak, and I couldn't let him have it. It was for your own safety."Rita looked at
Percy intervened, shooing Noah away to buy some food for Rita. Percy had long desired to get rid of Rita but had always failed. She played the victim, revealing Jaden's information to Noah, aiming to gain his trust and work together to abduct Rita.Percy's patience had worn thin, and she saw an opportunity to finally unravel the tangled web Rita had woven. As Noah reluctantly left to fetch the food, Percy leaned in closer to Rita, her voice a low and dangerous whisper."Your little games won't work anymore, Rita," Percy hissed, her eyes piercing into hers. "I know your true intentions, and I won't let you manipulate Noah any longer."Rita's façade crumbled, her eyes darting around as if searching for an escape. She was cornered, and Percy knew it."You can't prove anything," Rita stammered, her voice shaky.Percy's lips curled into a sardonic smile. "Oh, but I can. You underestimated me, Rita. I've been gathering evidence of your deceit for quite some time now."Rita's defiance wavere
Rita's head spun as she tried to make sense of the situation. She blinked, trying to process the unexpected alliance between Noah and Percy. The room felt heavy with tension, and Rita's heart raced as she looked from Noah's eyes to Percy's determined expression."Rita, you have to understand," Noah began, his voice strained. "I never wanted any of this to happen. But you insisted on being with Jaden, and that tied your fate to his."Rita's eyes narrowed as she absorbed his words. "Tied my fate? What do you mean?"Percy chimed in, his tone calmer than Noah's, but equally serious. "Jaden possesses a power that could reshape the world, but it comes at a great cost. And you, Rita, unwittingly became part of that cost when you chose to stand by his side."Frustration bubbled within her, and she clenched her fists. "So, what? You two decided that locking me up was the solution? That destroying Jaden would somehow fix everything?"Noah's gaze softened, but his grip on his emotions remained t
Percy visited the hospital to see Jaden. He told her that he had completely lost patience with her and warned her that if she dared to harm Rita, he would not spare her.Percy pa*sionately questioned how Jaden could treat her like this, forgetting that she had saved his life.Percy's words hung in the air, tension thickening with every pa*sing second. The sterile hospital room seemed to close in on them, its cold white walls reflecting the emotional turmoil that swirled within. Jaden's gaze remained fixed on the floor, unwilling to meet Percy's accusatory stare."Percy," Jaden finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, "I know you're angry, and I understand why. But you don't understand the complexity of the situation."Percy clenched her fists, struggling to contain her frustration. "Complexity? Jaden, Rita is innocent in all of this. She's been through enough, and she doesn't deserve your wrath."Jaden's eyes flickered briefly, a hint of regret fleeting across her features. "Y
Rita and Jaden sat across from each other in Jaden's spacious office, a map of the exhibition area spread out before them. "This powder might hold the key to unraveling the mystery," Rita mused, her brows furrowed in concentration.Jaden nodded, his eyes fixed on the map. "It's clear that someone intentionally tampered with the dresses. But why? And how does it connect to the models' asthma?"Rita leaned forward, her fingers tracing the outline of the exhibition booths. "The powder could be a trigger, something that aggravated their asthma and caused the accidents. But who would want to harm them? And why would they target the wedding dresses?"Jaden leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "We need to find out who had access to the exhibition area that night. Let's start by reviewing the surveillance footage."Rita nodded and pulled out her tablet. "I've already instructed the team to retrieve the footage. We should have it soon."As they waited, Jaden's gaze drifted to a
The doctor informed Rita that Jaden had woken up. Rita was aware of the recent events, which had been a significant blow to Jaden.She comforted him, a*suring him that everything would eventually get better.Jaden wished for Rita to take the children and leave the country. He a*sured her that he would handle everything. Noah wouldn't give up easily, and Jaden didn't want Rita to become a pawn in Noah's game. He feared that Noah might use Rita against him, putting him in an even more vulnerable position.The doctor's words hung in the air as Rita absorbed the news. Jaden had finally woken up, a flicker of hope in the midst of their tumultuous situation. She had seen the toll recent events had taken on him, the weight of it all etched into the lines on his face. With a determined resolve, she entered Jaden's room, her heart heavy but determined to be the pillar of strength he needed.As she walked in, their eyes met, and a bittersweet smile played on Jaden's lips. Rita could sense his l
Percy leaned in, her voice a mere whisper, "Rita, think about it. With your parents' connections, we could make a difference. Save Jaden's company, his reputation."Rita's eyes flickered with a mix of uncertainty and determination. "But Percy, it's not that simple. I can't just walk away from Jaden when he needs me the most."Percy's brow furrowed. "Rita, I understand your loyalty, but we're talking about saving everything he's worked for. And your children's future too. This might be the only way."Rita shook her head, her voice growing firm. "No, Percy. I can't turn my back on him. He's innocent, and I won't let him go through this alone. We've faced challenges before, and we'll overcome this too."Percy's gaze softened as he reached out to hold Rita's hands. "I admire your dedication, Rita. But you're risking everything—your family, your children's well-being. Don't you want to secure their future?"Tears welled up in Rita's eyes as she looked down, struggling to find the words. "O