CHAPTER 8 (PART 2)“Are you really our dad?” Earl asked in a low voice.“Yes.” “Are you sure? Momma may be lying.” “Momma's not a liar, Earl,” Lottie piped up angrily. But her brother ignored her. “Are you rich? Momma might be lying and told you we are your children so she can have your money.” Elizabeth felt her heart drop. Did her child just think of her as a gold digger? Should she take him back to her womb?!“Momma raised you well,” Wulfric said proudly. A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. “You should do DNA testing, Sir.”Wulfric couldn’t help but chuckle softly at that moment. He messed Earl’s hair with pride as if he had just found a mini version of himself.“You’re the proof,” he declared.Lottie gleefully wrapped her little arms around Earl’s neck, squealing, “Me too! Yay! We have Daddy now! Complete family!”“I’M sorry. I didn’t mean to keep the kids from you,” Elizabeth began when the twins finally fell asleep that night.They were utterly exhausted after spendi
CHAPTER 9“Wake up, Momma. Wake up!” Liz groaned as Lottie plopped onto her back and started shaking her. “Let’s go swimming. Daddy said so. Wake up!” “Lottie,” she mumbled in protest and buried her face deeper into the soft pillow. The little one was disrupting her much-needed sleep. It had been a while since she last slept in such a soft bed and cold room. Back at their home in Idelfonso, they only had an electric fan, and the mattress was stiff since it was the cheapest one they could afford. “Come on, Momma. It’s time for breakfast.” Lottie continued trying to pull her out of the bed.“It’s too early, Lottie.” “It’s already eight in the morning. Earl and I have come here three times already.” Lottie proudly held up three tiny fingers. “Where’s your brother?” she asked, noticing the violet baby swimsuit her daughter was wearing. It made her fair skin stand out even more.“With Dad. He’s teaching Earl how to swim.” Liz sat up. “Aren’t you going to ask Daddy to teach you?”
CHAPTER 10“Mom doesn’t know where Sir Arthur got moved either. It’s like he disappeared into thin air. You don’t have any contact with his assistant, do you?”Elizabeth slumped her shoulders and shook her head. “I sold my old phone.”Mr. Eldridge wasn’t on social media. So, there was no way she could reach him like she did with Dorothea. And she couldn’t just send a message through the Benzone Telco website either—that would definitely go straight to Martha. As much as possible, she wanted to keep the Bently family from knowing she was in the city. She was over the drama, especially after things went south the last time she dealt with Sir Arthur’s eldest daughter.“For sure, Sir Arthur is still alive,” Dory said, handing her a folder. “His shares in Benzone Telco are still in his name. Plus, Mommy would know if he weren’t.”Elizabeth nodded as she read through the documents. According to the report, Benzone Telco had recovered from the brink of bankruptcy four years ago. She breathe
CHAPTER 11 (PART 1)[FLASHBACK]"Liz, my God! Where have you been?" Cecilia, the trusted house help of the Bentlys, greeted her anxiously as she slipped through the back door of the mansion.The older woman hugged her tightly, her hands gently cupping her face."You don’t know?” Liz asked in confusion. Hadn’t they heard the news that she was already married and living at her husband’s mansion?“Know what? Never mind, what's important is you're safe. But you need to leave, my dear. Martha’s furious with you. She might hurt you again.”“I’m just here to get my Mom’s passbook from my room.”"I’ll sneak you in. Martha’s been looking for you since yesterday. I don’t know why, but she’s really angry."Cecilia grabbed her hand. They crept like cats toward Liz’s room on the mansion’s second floor. Liz began packing her clothes into a bag. She hadn’t found her mother’s passbook yet when she suddenly heard Aunt Martha’s voice outside her room."What are you doing there, Cecilia?" Martha’s sharp
CHAPTER 11 (PART 2)Elizabeth quickly scolded her daughter who asked for things as if money grew on trees. "You already have a Barbie at home."Lottie pouted and looked down. Couldn’t argue with her mom when it came to these matters. Elizabeth didn’t want her children growing up thinking they could get everything they wanted easily.“It’s fine. We’ll buy it, Princess,” Wulf interjected."Wulf…" Elizabeth protested firmly.“I’m making up for the years I wasn’t with them. Let me spoil them a little.”His voice was gentle, almost pleading, which made Elizabeth swallow hard. She fought the urge to let him see how much his sentiment affected her.When Wulf didn’t get a response from her, he turned his attention to Earl. “What do you want, Buddy?”Earl glanced at his mother, hesitant, before shyly voicing his request. “A computer set, Dad. Please!”Once again, her eldest son looked at her for approval, and this time, Elizabeth turned away to stifle a laugh.Her heart melted at the sight of
CHAPTER 12Maids greeted them as the car parked in front of the house. The trunk was filled with numerous shopping bags, and more were still being brought in.Lottie was still full of energy, even after spending almost the whole day running around the mall.“Sir, shall we start preparing dinner?” Melba asked when they entered the house.“Ask her,” Wulf replied coldly before heading upstairs without another word.Liz bit her lip. Felt a pang in her chest.She didn’t like how distant and cold Wulf had been acting towards her. He had always been cold and stoic. But his behavior today was different…He hadn’t spoken to her since she left the boutique earlier. If he had any questions, he would relay them to the twins. She felt invisible to him. If it weren’t for the kids, she had the sinking feeling he would have sent her home alone.“Maybe later, Melbs. The kids are still full. You and the others go ahead and eat first.”“Alright, Liz. Just come down if you need anything,” Melba replied.
CHAPTER 13[BENTLY'S MANSION]“What?! Are you sure it was her?” Catherine’s nostrils flared in disbelief upon hearing what her fiancé said.She abruptly got off Anderson’s lap, taking a long drag from her cigarette. “That’s impossible.”"I'm sure. I'm just telling you what I saw."Restlessly pacing the room, she continued puffing smoke from the cigarette between her fingers. Then, as if struck by a thought, she stopped and smacked her boyfriend’s arm.“Maybe you were high. And you mistook someone else for her? What?! Are you still into that stiff bitch?” She’s ready to argue if Anderson gave her wrong answers.“I did smoke some ‘Mary Jane,’ but I know it was her. You can check the shop’s CCTV. Your mom’s friend owns the place. She looked like a big deal now."Catherine’s frown deepened. Anything about Elizabeth drove her insane. Even hearing that bitch’s name was enough to send her over the edge."She had a VVIP credit card. A black one with golden trim.”"You're hallucinating! How co
CHAPTER 14Liz had just stepped out of the bathroom when she saw Wulf standing by the window. His hands rested on the windowsill; eyes fixed on the darkness as if watching something intently.“Aren’t you going to sleep yet?” she asked as she approached him.He glanced at her before his gaze swept over her, from head to toe. She suppressed the unease creeping up her spine and asked again.“Do you want to take the bed? I can sleep here.” Embarrassment crept in as she spoke.Here she was, comfortably using his bed in his own house, yet she was offering Wulfric only a thin mat on the floor.“I’m fine.” His heated stare remained on her.Elizabeth subtly crossed her arms over her chest. Felt as if she were bare under his gaze. Especially in the thin nightgown she wore. Wulf’s lips curled slightly at the corners, clearly noticing her attempt to cover up.“I’m used to hard beds. You stay inside,” she insisted and looked away. “Just don’t move too much, or the bed might collapse.”“I won’t sl
CHAPTER 98"I can’t, Allenon. The kids are waiting for me."His smile faded as soon as he heard her response. By six o’clock sharp, he was already outside the restaurant, hoping to pick her up.“Then let’s bring them along.”She shook her head. “The kids asked me to come home early.”“They’re your parents now?” he teased.“They just want to spend more time with me. My children are still young—they need me more than anyone else.”He was about to argue when Giovanni approached them, stepping in between her and Allenon.“Angus is looking for you,” he said seriously.He didn’t budge until she replied.“Fine, I’ll take a time-out.”“I’ll take you—”Van cut Allenon off. “I’ll handle it. Angus specifically asked for me.”Giovanni even accompanied her while she clocked out, ensuring her suitor had no chance to offer a ride.As she walked toward the apartment, she noticed Giovanni trailing behind, but he quickly disappeared when she caught sight of a figure standing in a dimly lit spot. Her he
CHAPTER 97She was absolutely furious about Maddoxx Almir’s sudden appearance.The way he claimed to have found her felt like a raging storm sweeping through her life. If not today, then tomorrow or the next, someone else from Southshire would undoubtedly come looking for her. The peace she had carefully nurtured over the past five months was on the verge of being disrupted.“Did you talk to him?” Mrs. Ivanovich greeted her with the question as she came inside.“Yes, Ma’am. Just an acquaintance,” she answered politely.“Oh, he seemed so eager to speak with you. We thought it was something urgent. He even said he’d trespass if we didn’t let him in.”“He just wanted to say something, Ma’am. He won’t be coming back,” she replied and apologized for Maddoxx Almir’s behavior.Mrs. Ivanovich insisted on having them driven home, even though their apartment was just in the center of Northshire. During the ride, she couldn’t help but glance repeatedly at the side mirror. Maddoxx’s car had been
CHAPTER 96“Ms. Shanon?”She blinked several times.“Are you okay?”She nodded at Cale and quickly averted her gaze. She wished she could just crawl under the table out of embarrassment. She’d been completely lost in thought while staring blankly at him.Why did his eyes have to be gray, too?“Sorry, Sir. I suddenly got a headache,” she explained.“You can go home early.”Her boss was considerate to all employees. It wasn’t obvious because he was always serious and rarely smiled, but his kindness showed in moments like this.His son, Giovanni, had clearly inherited his personality rather than his mother’s. Ma’am Jenza, on the other hand, was warm and approachable, always smiling and quick to connect with everyone—even though she practically owned most of the land in Northshire.“I can manage, Sir. It’s only a few hours until my break.”“Alright. Will you pick up these spices then?”“Sorry, Sir,” she declined. “I can’t leave my kids alone at home.”“Ah, yes. I forgot. I’ve been to Sout
CHAPTER 95"Wokey dowkey, Momma."Though she was exhausted and still half-asleep, Elizabeth had no choice but to get up when she heard Charlotte’s voice. It was too early, and yet the little troublemaker was already causing a noise.Charlotte suddenly jumped on top of her, making her gasp for air."Wokey dowkey now, Momma. The baby princess is hungry!”"Where are your brothers?""Earl is playing with Harmony." Charlotte answered, referring to the golden-haired cat from the next apartment. Its chubby frame had completely won over her eldest. "While brother Angus is doing the laundry. He doesn’t want me to help him."That got Elizabeth fully awake. Despite telling Angus that she could do the laundry for him, he insisted on doing it himself. If she hadn't stopped him from cooking in the kitchen, he would probably have been the one preparing meal while she was at work."I'm almost done, Momma," Angus called from the laundry room, standing proudly in front of the washing machine."Thank yo
CHAPTER 94“I’ll have the driver take you home, Elizabeth,” Cairus said while gently gripping her arm to lead her away from the interrogation room.Her entire body felt numb as she let him guide her.“My son didn’t mean what he said.”She gave a soft, bitter laugh and shook her head. “Please tell him I wish he hadn’t messed up my life.”Leaving him looking sympathetic, she walked away.She didn’t need Cairus’s pity. Even if he beat Wulfric to a pulp, it wouldn’t change the fact that his son had something to do with her father’s death. He’d mentioned her father’s name to Wulfric, knowing full well how violent her husband could be, yet he still mentioned it.Did Cairus not consider what that could lead to?“Condolences, Elizabeth. We didn’t expect Arthur to leave us this soon.”The woman who spoke reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze before pulling her into a brief hug. Sensing Elizabeth’s stiffness, the woman let go and walked away, understanding that she needed space to gr
CHAPTER 93A Nightmare.She wished it was just a terrible nightmare. That she would wake up and still see Arthur's cheerful face lighting up whenever he looked at her.Not like the cold, lifeless body now lying before her.“P-Papa, why are you sleeping there?” Her voice was weak and trembling as she stared at her father’s pale body.He didn’t respond. Desperate, she gently shook him, but his eyes remained shut. The tears she had been holding back finally spilled over.“Papa…”Elizabeth clung to her father’s lifeless form while sobbing uncontrollably.“Wake up, Papa. Please. Please, wake up,” she pleaded. Her voice breaking like a child begging for a miracle.“You can’t leave me. You promised me. You said you’d make it up to me. I’ve only known you were my father for a year. Why did you leave me?”Her hands slipped from his lifeless body as her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the floor.Melba quickly rushed to her side, draping a coat over her trembling shoulders. Elizabeth hadn’
CHAPTER 92Elizabeth felt a surge of relief when she got home. The familiar sports car was parked in front of the mansion, and she could hear Lottie’s delighted squeals. The sound of two boys laughing and Wulfric’s deep voice echoed from inside.“Momma’s here! Momma’s here now!”Charlotte quickly slid off the couch when she spotted her mother. The children raced toward her and wrapped their little arms around her legs.“Daddy picked us up from school, Momma! Where were you?”“I went to your Grandpa Art’s house.”“You didn’t wait for us! We wanted to see Grandpa Art, too.”She gently pinched Lottie’s cheek. “Next time, okay?”Obediently, Lottie nodded before running back to Wulfric, proudly announcing her mother’s presence as though he hadn’t noticed.“Daddy’s home now! Momma, say ‘I miss you’ to him!”Elizabeth hesitated, unsure whether to approach Wulfric or stay where she was and wait for him to make the first move.Angus and Earl gave her a playful shove.She stumbled right into Wu
CHAPTER 91Dorothea handed her the invitation for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of her mall's opening.“That’s not until the end of the month. You have to come, Bestfriend. No excuses.”She gave her friend a faint smile and glanced at the names printed on the scented paper.She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. Dory could freely go out and meet people. Her best friend was a career woman, while she spent her days staring at the walls of a massive mansion.“Don’t be sad. Talk to Alpha again and tell him you want to work.”“I already did,” she said, shaking her head. She wanted to push her husband further, but how could she when even his shadow was nowhere to be found?She and the kids had been staying at the manor for several days, and during those three days, her husband hadn’t come home even once.“I’m sure you two will make up. Your husband loves you so much.”“He doesn’t trust me. He even accused me of having an affair with the Chairman. I’m not Eva. I would never stoop to her
CHAPTER 90 (PART 2)He shook his head in dismay, even though he’d always known how irresponsible his father could be. Saying something like that to Angus felt like treating the boy as a dog that could simply be given away.“I love Momma and Papa. But you’re my father, Chairman. Papa Wulf may not like it.”“Use your brain, kid. I’m giving you an idea to have a complete family. Your mother isn’t coming back.”“Don’t you like me, Chairman?”The sad tone of his brother’s voice made Wulfric’s jaw tighten. He could tell Angus was holding back tears and struggling not to break down.“You’re a bastard. There’s no place for you—”Wulfric’s patience snapped. He kicked the door open with force. His fists clenched as he stormed toward the two, and both frozen in shock at his sudden appearance.“You motherfucker! Heartless old man!”“We’re having a conversation, Nikolaus Wulfric. I didn’t ask you here to my office,” Chairman Channing said coldly.“Fuck your rules.” Wulfric pointed at Angus. “He’s