Hugh's POV Watching Travis and Shelia's intimacy at the banquet inexplicably irritated me.David was displeased with my earlier public argument with Shelia, "Mind your image in public. You represent Thornton Aviation!"He then left early to handle company matters. Esther went to the restroom, and I thought we’d head home together once she returned. But suddenly, there was a loud bang—a gunshot, one I was all too familiar with. The crowd began to panic, and I saw a waiter fleeing.I was about to give chase when I noticed Tom Henderson, a former peacekeeping comrade, shot and fallen. I rushed to check on him; the bullet through his temple was fatal. He lay there, eyes open, unable to speak."Call for help!""Get security!""Call the police!"Amidst the chaos, a man's voice came over the microphone,“Everyone, stay calm and quiet."I looked towards the stage where Travis was directing the crowd. Before he could continue, another shot rang out, downing another peacekeeper. The shooter, a
Shelia's POV “You're hurt," Hugh said, looking at my knee as he approached."It's none of your business," I turned away, not wanting to look at his lips that had just kissed someone else."Let me check your injury," Esther, now in a white coat, came over, reaching for my leg."I don't need your fake concern. You're not the only doctor here," I pushed her away."Shelia, Esther's just trying to help. You don't have to be so aggressive," Hugh chided me again."Yes, I'm aggressive, but at least I'm better than your lover. At least I don't set people up.”"What do you mean?" Hugh asked, confused."Shelia, you've misunderstood. If I wanted to harm you, I wouldn't have helped you in the first place. When your leg was injured, I didn't abandon you. I helped you escape," Esther quickly defended herself. Then she clung to Hugh's arm and said, "Later, someone was chasing us. Shelia's injured leg slowed her down. I was so focused on running downstairs, I didn't realize Shelia hadn't kept up. Tha
Hugh's POVThe incident had been named the "701 Terror Attack," starting at 9 PM on July 1st and lasting until the early hours of the next day. Six attackers were subdued, either killed on the spot or severely injured and unconscious. However, a female assassin reportedly escaped, and the police were in hot pursuit. Targeting such an event was already a bizarre move. The security was tight, and even without weapons, the military personnel present were highly skilled and vastly outnumbered the attackers. It was a doomed attack from the start.I watched as five peacekeeping soldiers were loaded onto an ambulance separately. Esther said they were dead.Instead of heading home, Esther and I went with the counterterrorism investigation team to their designated office for questioning. All the awarded peacekeeping soldiers had to go.Upon arrival, I was called into a private room. Opening the door, I found Travis sitting across from me."Do you know any of these seven people?" He tossed som
Shelia's POV That evening, Travis insisted on changing the bandage on my knee."I can do it myself," I protested."You're my sister. Let me pamper you."Unable to dissuade him, I sat on the sofa as he carefully removed the gauze. Just then, I received a message from an unknown number."Bring the divorce papers tomorrow. I'll sign them."Obviously Hugh, but I didn't bother replying. Unexpectedly, he called moments later. As I hesitated, Travis answered for me. But after a few words, I heard Esther's voice and angrily hung up."When I'm done tomorrow, I'll go with you," Travis patted my head comfortingly."No need. Aren't you investigating the '701 Terror Attack'? Your work is more important."I went to my room, angry and sleepless. The thought of them together so late, possibly in the bed Hugh and I once shared, sickened me.Early the next morning, I printed the divorce papers and took a taxi to the Thornton estate.The old butler greeted me awkwardly, "You're here so early. Hugh isn't
Hugh's POV "Did you sleep with Esther last night?" Travis asked bluntly. Esther had been in the adjacent interrogation room for over half an hour and hadn't come out yet."How is that your business? Did you bring us here to inquire about my sex life?" I angrily retorted."No offense intended, but this is important. Shelia told me that during the attack, she and Esther were fleeing together, but a terrorist kept chasing them. In the end, Esther used her as a shield, locking her out and escaping alone. Before I subdued him, the terrorist said something crucial to the investigation. But this morning, the nurse told me he suddenly died - an unnatural death.""You suspect Esther?""It's a reasonable deduction.""We talked a bit around 11 PM last night, but we didn't sleep together. She explained to me that she did leave Shelia behind, but didn't intentionally harm her - the situation was too urgent. You can check the hotel's surveillance footage. I want to know the truth too.""All the h
Shelia's POV Travis told me the Arabic man who held me hostage had died, and the investigation had hit a dead end.Since Hugh's return, I hadn't had a good night's sleep, either lying awake or having nightmares. I constantly felt like something bad was about to happen.It wasn't until Wednesday, when Will returned, that the gloom lifted. Will is my second older brother and now the Vice Chairman of Warner Pharmaceuticals."He initiated the divorce? I always thought you'd be the one to end it within three years. He's like a block of wood, with no sense of romance. I never understood what you saw in him," Will said disapprovingly after hearing about my situation."That guy's no block of wood. He cheated and even brought the woman home. Our foolish sister spent a year waiting for him," Travis added, exaggerating the story."What the fuck? He dared to cheat? Is he blind? Marrying a beauty like Shelia and still cheating. He’s really a dung beetle, loves eating shit. Don't worry, Shelia, I w
Shelia's POV “That Lucy is probably just jealous and giving you a hard time on purpose. Don't take it to heart. If she bothers you again, just let me know. Everyone in the company knows she likes Will. Seeing Will personally arrange your job must have infuriated her," Zia said, cutting into her venison while gossiping about the company."Does Will like her?" I thought to myself, surely my brother's taste isn't that bad."No way. Will is a workaholic. I even suspect he might not be interested in women at all. But tell me about you. What have you been up to these years? Why did you suddenly give up the chance to be Professor Lander's graduate student? Do you know there were only three spots in the whole school, and everyone was fighting for them?""I got married at that time.""What kind of man could make you give up such a great opportunity!?""We're already divorced. He fell for someone else," I sighed, trying to sound casual.Zia was clearly still processing this information. She sta
Hugh's POV Wasn't she with Travis? How is she now with Will? Will is the vice chairman of Warner Pharmaceuticals, a well-known bachelor. In just half a month, she's entangled with so many wealthy and powerful men. Is she deliberately trying to get revenge on me? Or is this her true nature? The more I thought about it, the more irritated I became.I wanted to call and ask her directly, but I knew she'd just mock me: "What right do you have to question me?"Remembering last night's events, I couldn't help but close my laptop and rub my temples. Just then, Esther pushed open the study door and entered. She placed a cup of tea on my desk, hesitating as if she had something on her mind."What's wrong? Do you have something to tell me?" I asked, taking a sip of tea."Hugh, did you go on a date with Shelia yesterday?""No.""Then what's this news about?"She placed her phone on my desk, showing a video: #Thornton Aviation Group Heir, Peacekeeping Hero in Bar Brawl#, which had already garne