CHAPTER 1Elizabeth glanced nervously around as she made her way to her boyfriend—Anderson's condo unit. Her heart raced, afraid that, Arthur, might have sent someone to follow her. She had escaped from the restaurant where he had introduced her to the old man she was supposed to marry—the owner of Channing Empire.Since childhood, Elizabeth had been under the care of Arthur Bently after her mother, who had worked as a maid in his mansion, passed away. Owing him a great debt of gratitude, she couldn’t refuse when the sixty-five-year-old man asked her to marry someone to save the Bently family’s failing business.She had barely held back the urge to throw up; he was even older than Arthur.The ‘Channing’ may have been filthy rich, but he was a complete slob.It might be better to just run away with Anderson."Catherine, you're so good at this, huh?" Anderson’s voice floated with a seductive and teasing tone.She froze in her tracks. Her heart sank as the sound of heavy moans followed.
CHAPTER 2 Arthur was declared comatose by the doctors, suffering from severe head trauma and multiple fractures. “This is all your fault!” She was frozen in place as Martha charged at her again. “If you hadn’t been reckless, this wouldn’t have happened to Dad." Martha wouldn’t let her go, so even the hospital staff had to intervene to separate them. Crying, Elizabeth curled into a corner of the hallway, her body aching all over. She hadn’t even begun to recover from what had happened last night, and now Martha’s relentless hitting continued. All she could do was sob in the corner, feeling the weight of self-blame. Once the guards finally managed to escort Martha and Catherine out, Arthur's secretary, Eldridge, approached her. “We have a problem. Martha refuses to release any funds for Arthur.” Elizabeth’s mouth fell open in disbelief. Eldridge let out a heavy sigh. “The company is on the verge of bankruptcy; if they withdraw any more money, Benzone Telco won’t recover.” “B
CHAPTER 3"I said no because you'll get more jobs. You’ll be tired," Earl explained in a soft voice. A warm feeling spread through Elizabeth's chest as her little boy shyly snuggled into her neck."You’re so sweet, baby. Thank you for thinking of me," she whispered.Lottie on the other hand, tapped her little fingers together as her rosy lips jutted out. She blinked up at her mother with wide, pleading eyes."It’s just a wish, Momma.”Elizabeth laughed and kissed her baby girl on the cheek. "It’s okay, Lottie. We’re going to the city. Momma has saved up some money."She had been hearing for a while now how much her children wanted to visit the city, so she made sure to set aside some savings for the trip."Yehey! Did you hear that, Earl? We’re going to the city! We’ll see big buildings and fast cars!" Lottie jumped in excitement. Elizabeth amusedly pinched Earl’s cheek when she saw him trying to suppress a smile. A grin broke across his face, showing his white baby teeth before he th
CHAPTER 4“It’s not acceptable that you can’t do anything!” Liz shouted at the train station’s staff when they told her there was nothing they could do but wait for a call.“Ma’am, please calm down. You’re partly to blame for this.”“My children are still so young! It’s their first time in Southshire. I can’t just sit here waiting for a call while I have no idea where they are. What if they can’t be found?”She pressed her hands to her face in distress. Receiving the same answer again, she left their office with slumped shoulders.It was already past five in the afternoon. In just an hour, the train would arrive at the Southshire station. Her mind was flooded with all sorts of horrific scenarios. Southshire City was a far cry from where the twins grew up. Crime was rampant there, especially the kidnapping of children for organ trafficking.Elizabeth turned sharply when she heard the noise of an approaching group. Her gaze immediately landed on Wulfric. He was the reason she had missed
CHAPTER 5Tears welled up in Liz's eyes when she found her children inside the Operator's office. She had practically argued with the staff at Louisiana, demanding they contact the manager of Southshire Train Station and search the entire area just to find her kids."Are you both okay? Did anyone get hurt?" she asked repeatedly. She paused when she noticed how unusually quiet, they were.Both had their heads bowed, looking utterly defeated. Lottie’s mouth quivered downward, on the verge of tears.“What happened?” she asked, worry filling her voice as her eyes scanned their tiny bodies. "What happened, Earl? Did someone hurt both of you? Were you scared? I’m sorry! This is all Momma’s fault."His lips trembled as if he was about to cry."W-We saw D-Daddy."Liz froze. "W-Where? There’s no Daddy, Earl.""There is, Momma," Lottie insisted, her voice sharp, as if she might stomp her feet. "Earl and I saw him, but he doesn’t like us."Liz pulled the little girl into her arms as she started
CHAPTER 6 Elizabeth adjusted her cap as the car pulled up in front of the client’s villa. Carrie had asked her to come along to an event hosted by her flower shop’s Southshire branch because they are short-staffed.The villa was in the city center, so Liz made sure to keep her face hidden. The city center was home to the headquarters of major companies, including Channing Empire and Benzone Telco.“Marlon, Erica, you two handle the front yard. Liz, I’ll assign you to the pavilion,” said Anne, the shop’s manager.Liz overheard that a party was to be held at the villa later that night.She was trimming the flower stems when she suddenly sensed a presence behind her. The first thing she saw when she turned around was a pair of hairy legs. Liz quickly stood and with bowed head, she greeted.“Good afternoon, sir.”The man didn’t respond right away. He cleared his throat before speaking, “Good afternoon.” Liz lifted her head, and her eyes widened in shock when she recognized Nikolaus Wulfr
CHAPTER 6 (PART 2)She didn't cross paths with Wulfric again for the rest of the day. The last she saw of him was when he was descending the grand staircase, talking on his phone. Thankfully, she managed to hide behind a divider before he noticed her.Erica, on the other hand, couldn’t stop talking about him all day. She kept raving about how good he smelled and how manly his presence was.Elizabeth bit her tongue to stop herself from telling Erica that he’s married. That would’ve shattered the woman’s fantasy. “Our boss called. We have to stay until the party ends. Part of the package is cleaning up the flower arrangements," Anne informed them.Excitement buzzed among her colleagues.Anne handed them paper bags with their outfits for the evening. The woman was always prepared, as this was a regular occurrence with their other clients.Elizabeth quickly applied light makeup and lipstick, then tied her hair into a high ponytail.The party was already starting downstairs when Anne knock
CHAPTER 7“You’re a whore! The guy has a girlfriend, and you’re still flirting with him!”Elizabeth was heading back to the party from the restroom when the woman who had kissed Wulfric earlier screamed and pulled her hair.“This is what you deserve! You’re a flirt!”The slaps came one after another as Elizabeth tried to block them, but sharp, red-painted nails scratched her face.“Idella! Damn it!”Someone pulled the woman away from her. Elizabeth struggled to breathe, her cheeks stinging from the blows she had received.“What the fuck are you doing, Woman?” Wulfric’s voice thundered.Dizzy, she tried to get up. She wanted to hit back, but her body felt weak.“S-She’s flirting with you,” Idella stammered.“You don’t understand…”Once again, she was shoved down onto the carpeted grass. Idella hit her several times—one slap near her ear, leaving her momentarily dazed. The next thing she heard was an angry voice, but the words were a blur.Murmurs filled the air, and she gasped as someo
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
CHAPTER 90 (Part 1)Cairus let out a loud laugh, infuriating Wulfric even more. A sharp gasp escaped Elizabeth as her husband raised his hand, ready to punch his father.“Wulfric!”His eyes blazing with anger. Despite her fear, Elizabeth grabbed his arm and pulled down his clenched fist. But Wulfric yanked her down the stairs without care, his long strides dragging her along. The pain in her injured foot worsened with every step.Tears threatened to spill, but she bit them back and endured the ache.When they reached the car parked near the front door, Wulfric practically shoved her inside.“We’re going home,” he said coldly.“But you already agreed the kids and I could stay here tonight.”“That was before I saw you talking to Cairus!” he snapped, walking around to the driver’s seat.“He’s your father. My father-in-law. The children’s grandfather!” she reasoned, listing the obvious but none of it seemed to sink in.“I don’t want you talking to him. Or to any other man!”Elizabeth flin
CHAPTER 89“Hypocrite!” she fired back.The older woman gasped audibly, her face reddening with fury as she turned to her equally narrow-minded relatives. They encircled Elizabeth like predators cornering their prey.“Shut your mouth, woman!” One of the men barked while stepping forward. He grabbed her wrist, and nearly twisted it as he forcibly pulled her away from the older woman’s hand.“Let go of my mom!” Angus wailed and kicked the man’s legs in a desperate attempt to free her.The child’s cries grew louder when the man shoved him to the floor.“Uncle Itho, you're hurting our cousin!” Francheska screamed, before rushing to Angus’s side.Logan and the other cousins quickly stepped in, shielding Elizabeth from further harm. Holand seized Itho’s arm and yanked him away.“Stay away from Lady Channing,” Holand said coldly, his voice sharp enough to cut through the chaos.“You’re just a servant of the Chairman,” Itho sneered.Holand moved closer, his presence chilling the room further
CHAPTER 88 More than half of the guests were strangers to Elizabeth. When she was introduced as Wulfric’s wife, a few raised their brows, giving her a once-over from head to toe.Others, however, welcomed her warmly. Logan had been right—Chairman Channing’s distant relatives were traditional in their thinking. On the other hand, her husband’s generation was the complete opposite of their parents.“You should come with us, Lizzy!” Francheska exclaimed enthusiastically. She was Logan and Suzane’s sister, all three being second cousins to her husband on his father’s side.“Don’t influence my wife, Cheska. I know exactly what you’re up to,” Wulfric warned. His arm firmly wrapped around Elizabeth’s waist.“You’re such a killjoy, Wolfy.”“Don’t push it, Ches,” Logan said with a laugh. “Wulf could cut your allowance.”Francheska pouted dramatically, hooking her arm around Elizabeth’s and leaning on her as if pleading.“Wolfy is so grumpy,” she whispered that made Elizabeth stifle a giggle.
CHAPTER 87 (PART 2)“Stop messing around! The driver might hear us,” she protested, but her cheeks flushing.He chuckled lowly and shook his head. His nose brushed against the curve of her neck as he inhaled deeply. He had been craving the scent of her skin all evening.“It’s soundproof,” he murmured.“Even so…”He tightened his grip on her waist. “I can do whatever I want with you here, Kitten.”She gasped softly as his hand slid up the high slit of her gown.Men’s eyes would undoubtedly linger on Elizabeth’s creamy legs and delicate neck tonight—both of which needed his mark.Elizabeth winced as Wulfric’s lips grazed the sensitive curve of her neck, his hot breath sending a shiver down her spine.“Wulf…” she whispered, making him smirk with satisfaction.Her knees weakened as she leaned against him for s
CHAPTER 87 (PART 1)“Daddy, carry me.”Without hesitation, he scooped up his youngest daughter, who immediately snuggled into the crook of his neck. Wulfric’s heart softened at the gesture, but the tender moment was short-lived as his gaze shifted to the staircase.Elizabeth came down the stairs, and his breath caught in his chest. His wife looked absolutely stunning in a gown that exposed her shoulders and back—no, no, no…His eyes searched for Suzane, ready to give her a piece of his mind for letting his wife wear such a revealing dress. It was too sexy. He could practically see her skin, her back—damn, he was going to lose all his blood.“Change your gown,” he barked out.Instead of complying, Elizabeth merely shot him a sharp look and gave him a mocking little sneer. His jaw clenched as thoughts of pinning her down on the bed flashed through his mind. Or maybe, they shouldn’t even go to Cairus’s birthday party. He knew he’d just end up jealous with every man who looked at her.Eli
CHAPTER 86 "Don't worry, Cousin-in-law. If you hear any crap during Chairman’s birthday, just assume they're trying to clean their own mess,” Logan quipped, throwing an arm casually over her shoulder.Elizabeth immediately shrugged it off and glared at him.“Get out of my office,” she said coldly while smacking him with her bag. “I didn’t give Wulfric the right to dictate my work.”“But you’re married,” he replied with a smirk.Her glare sharpened, prompting Logan to raise both hands defensively. “I’m just saying… conjugal property, and all that.”“Oh, so by that logic, I have every right to meddle in the Channing Empire’s affairs?” she challenged.“Well, technically… yeah. You could manage Nick’s shares in the Empire. Fair is fair.”“Then do us both a favor and get out of my office so we can end this nonsense,” she hissed and stormed towards the door.But Logan stepped in her way to block the exit. “Sorry, Cousin-in-law. I can’t give the position back.”“Are you not afraid of me?” s
CHAPTER 85 "Step down as CEO. Leave Benzone. I’ll assign someone to—”“I don’t need anyone from your team running my company!”“You will. I’ll buy the company—”Elizabeth stepped out of the car and slammed the door shut in his face with her brows furrowed in frustration. She stormed into their grand mansion. Her heels clicking against the marble floor.The household staff greeted her nervously while bowing slightly as she passed. Their unease only grew when she flung her shoulder bag onto the couch with a loud thud.“Momma!”Her tension melted away at the sound of her children’s voices. All three were dressed in matching pajamas, and their sleepy faces lighting up at the sight of her.“Use the elevator!” she instructed when they began racing down from the third floor.She caught sight of their nanny, Melba, trailing behind them. She was trying to keep up with their excited energy.Elizabeth shot a glare at Wulfric as he stepped inside behind her, but she quickly turned away and strod
CHAPTER 84 “What?” she asked, her voice sharp with disbelief. Shanaya immediately followed up.“Pardon, Sir?”Wulfric’s lips pressed into a thin line as he stared directly at Shanaya. “Just do as I said. Send me the amount of the penalty. If I need to triple it, that’s not a problem.”“Wulf!” she exclaimed while tugging at his hand in protest.But her husband didn’t let go. In fact, his grip tightened seemingly irritated by her attempt to intervene.“If there are papers she needs to sign, bring them to our house. I’ll send a driver to pick you up.”“No! I’m going to the office myself.”Wulfric ignored her since his attention fixed on Shanaya, who simply nodded obediently. Despite being her employee, Shanaya had no choice but to follow Wulfric’s orders. Shanaya knew full well that the Channings had financially supported Benzone for years. If you tallied up all the money and connections Wulfric had poured into the company, it was clear that not even the entire firm would suffice to rep