Tyler's face darkened as he glared at Jean, his eyes full of disdain. "Those are the words of a fool, so don't bother about it." As he spoke, his tone softened, and he put an arm around Lilian's shoulders. "Didn't you say you want to go to the garden? Let's go." Lilian pursed her lips and nodded. She linked arms with Tyler. The two left in the opposite direction, leaving Jean standing there. Jean felt like a clown as she watched them go. She took a deep breath and tried to hold back her tears. She sneered, thinking the woman wasn't aware that Tyler was already married. Chris sighed in relief to see Jean staying put and not going after Tyler and Lilian. He pressed the elevator button and waited for the door to open. "After you, Madam," he said. Jean strode into the elevator. She watched the numbers on the screen decrease as they descended. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess. Eventually, the elevator stopped its descent. Jean walked out only to bump into a grim Dorothy.Not
"Joyce, you must recover quickly and return to the Larson Residence," Dorothy advised. "Us Michaelses are counting on you for the glory of our family." With that said, she started her incessant nagging and mocking of Jean. It was as if Joyce was her biological daughter, and Jean was a child she picked up from the streets. Jean felt hurt inside, but she forced her tears at bay and remained calm. She turned to look at Joyce. "It's not that I don't want to do something for our family. You know how Tyler is, right, Joyce? I'm afraid that he might find out about our identities." Joyce nodded in understanding and said, "I know things can be difficult for you."She glared at Dorothy and added, "If it weren't for your ridiculous decision, Jean wouldn't have needed to live such a guarded life in the Larson household. Don't mention it anymore in the future." This time, Dorothy scowled. She noticed that Joyce was holding Jean's hand. She refused to comment further and turned to leave th
Joyce had a gentle smile on her face. However, the determination and decisiveness in her eyes gave away her answer. "Never." She sounded so sure. "No one can ever understand the relationship Tyler and I have." Jean froze, dumbfounded at her words. Joyce had a sort of calmness and certainty in her voice. She didn't even hesitate to give her the answer. She wouldn't have the courage to speak like that if she wasn't confident in their relationship. Perhaps there was something between the two of them that Jean never had. Her hands balled briefly into fists at her sides before she quickly let them go. Joyce lay on the bed and stared at her in silence. "Jean, thank you for helping me save my marriage for all these years. When I'm better, we can swap back our identities. If you want to study abroad or start your own business, I'll definitely give you my full support." "Okay." Jean nodded. Her reply was brief because she didn't know what else she could say. Joyce sensed that Jean
"That brat Jean is so problematic. It's because your grandmother raised her. Thank goodness I was determined to keep you with me." Back then, the Michaels family wasn't as affluent as today, so raising Joyce alone was already a burden. They had to send their less-outstanding daughter, Jean, off to the countryside. Eventually, the Michaels family rose in power and influence because of Joyce's accomplishments. It strengthened Dorothy's belief that Joyce was their hope and future. Jean, left in the countryside, was thus forgotten. Dorothy had only brought her home because she was accepted to a university in Henkel. A wave of hatred flashed across Joyce's eyes as she listened to Dorothy's words. She felt that all her family ever achieved today was because of her. Jean didn't deserve to even be compared to her. However, if Jean gave her full cooperation this time, she would willingly pay for her to leave Henkel. If Jean refused, she would definitely make her regret it her whole
Jean smiled as she looked at Esme. She was about to turn and leave when she saw Tyler walking out of the elevator. "What are you two doing?" he asked when he noticed Esme sitting on the floor and Jean standing in front of her. His expression darkened as he walked toward them. He stopped beside Esme and offered a hand to help her up. Seeing his outstretched hand, Esme teared up and placed one hand in his. After helping Esme up, he turned to look at Jean. "What happened here?" he asked with a frown. Jean glanced over cooly at him. "No matter how charming Lilian is, you should at least treat everyone equally," she said mockingly. "Otherwise, Ms. Esme here would come to me and cause trouble again." Esme took a sharp breath and shook her head. "That's not true, Tyler. She's slandering me." Jean's expression remained unchanged as she replied, "Esme, you didn't look so like this when you mocked me just now. Why are you pretending to be so pathetic now?" Tyler's frown deepened
Chris drove Jean back to Oakside Villa. Jean was silent the entire drive and refused to utter a single word. He thought she would do anything to pry him for some news about Lilian. However, she appeared as though she didn't care. She never asked him about it. When they arrived, Jean had barely even sat on the couch when a maid came over. The maid was holding a bowl of broth and other supplements."Madam, Mr. Larson said you need to recuperate these few days. So, please finish this bowl of broth while it's hot," she said. Jean's expression changed the moment she saw the layer of oil floating on the surface of the broth. Once again, she felt nauseous. Her brow knitted together, and her hands tightened into fists. "Take it away," she said, her voice low. Right then, she bent over and dry-heaved. Seeing this, the servant paled and asked, "Madam, are you okay? I'll call for the family doctor to check up on you." She picked up the phone and started to make the call. However, Jea
Tyler's voice was harsh and cold. Layla held her breath and stood aside. She didn't have the nerve to leave the room anymore. Jean watched as he entered the room. A shadow crept across her face. She mocked, "Even if you don't let me take any medicine, you still can't use my blood for the time being anyways. No one knows if my blood is contaminated." Lilian's condition was really weak. Her body needed blood transfusions to function properly. If the blood she received was contaminated, she would certainly suffer. Tyler's face darkened at Jean's words. He walked to her and stopped beside her. He grabbed her arm as he said coolly, "Are you doing this on purpose?" Jean furrowed her brows at her arm, which was in his hold. She looked at Tyler and felt her heart enveloped in a layer of frost. "Yes," she said. "I wanted to get a fever and fall sick so she won't be able to use my blood." Tyler's grip on her arm tightened. He glowered at her. "Are you purposely trying to cause trouble
Layla had just gone downstairs when Albert called to have the family doctor come over. Jean followed behind her. There was a slight change in her eyes when she heard him making the call. Tyler was prepared and had backup. The cool-headedness she had just now vanished in an instant. She started getting anxious. Had Tyler found out something? She tried to calm down as she made her way downstairs and sat on the couch. It was not long before the doctor arrived. Jean looked pale. Her lipstick had faded away, which made her look even more frail. The doctor took out a thermometer and gave it to Layla. His tone was calm and soothing when he said, "Take her temperature." Layla took the thermometer and approached Jean. Jean sat silently on the couch after placing the thermometer.The doctor then glanced at her and said, "Madam, allow me to take your pulse." Jean was worried. The Larsons' family doctors were all highly experienced. This one would surely figure out that she was pregna
Even though Lukas was now back together with her, Jenny could clearly feel that their relationship could never return to the way it had been in the past. After spending some time with Lukas, Jenny felt that Lukas' heart no longer belonged to her.Once Conner and Robin were done packing up Alina's belongings at the hospital, they made their way to Robin's car. Robin drove them to her apartment. Upon seeing where they were heading, Conner said to Robin softly, "Roo, I won't be going back to your apartment."Upon hearing this, Robin looked confused. Before she could ask why, Conner added softly, "I want to return to Swiree."Robin was taken aback for a moment. Then, she replied, "Dad, you really don't need to rush back home."Conner had already sold the family business in Swiree when Alina was hospitalized in Henkel. As such, Robin had not expected to hear Conner tell her that he wanted to return to Swiree."Just stay here," Robin said.Upon hearing that, Conner sighed softly and
After Alina passed away, her body was taken to the funeral home the next morning.Alina had instructed Conner to keep her funeral simple after her death.After Alina was hospitalized, Conner showed her a grave site according to her wishes.A van from the funeral home came to the hospital the next morning to take Alina's body to the funeral home.Upon hearing the news, Jean and Tyler rushed to the hospital and accompanied Robin there.On the way to the funeral home, Tyler tried to call Terence. However, Terence did not answer.Tyler had to call Wilson to inform Terence of what had happened.Only a handful of relatives and friends attended the funeral to pay their respects to Alina.With Jean and Tyler's help, Alina's funeral wasn't much trouble to set up.Terence received the news of Alina's death in the afternoon. Only then did he rush to the funeral home.When Terence arrived, Alina's remains had already been cremated and placed in an urn.He walked over to Robin. When he s
Robin's call managed to go through, but no one answered her call even after a long while.Robin gradually tightened the grip she had on her phone. She tried to maintain her composure while holding the phone.After what seemed like ages, Terence finally answered her call."Roo, why are you still up?"Terence's gentle voice came through in the end. His tone was tinged with a hint of exhaustion.Upon hearing his voice, Robin secretly breathed a sigh of relief.Seeing that Terence had ended up answering her call, she supposed there weren't any problems to worry about."Yeah, I haven't gone to sleep yet. I'm still—"Robin was about to tell Terence that she was still at the hospital.However, Terence quickly interjected, "I'm still at the hospital now."Upon hearing Terence's words, Robin unconsciously tightened her grip on her phone. Her heart quivered in fear for a moment.She suddenly felt insecure.Robin hummed in acknowledgment and asked, "Is Ms. Blake not doing well?"Robi
Robin's response was in no way problematic.From her response, it was clear how cautious and serious she was when dealing with matters of the heart.Brian sighed and looked at Robin deeply.However, Robin deliberately avoided Brian's gaze at this moment.She didn't want him to waste his time on her. Robin certainly didn't want Brian's friendship with Terence to be negatively affected because of her.Seeing that Robin was deliberately avoiding his gaze, Brian curled his lips into a small smile and said softly, "You don't need to be so wary of me. I'm not going to force you to help me."I'm glad to see that you're going steady with Terence. I'm looking forward to attending your guys' wedding."Upon hearing this, Robin pursed her lips lightly. She let out a calm smile and replied, "Well, then you'll have to spend quite some time waiting."Brian turned to look at Robin. He had a tender expression on his face as he said, "Don't worry, I know Terence very well. I'm certain he'll marr
Robin couldn't help looking surprised upon seeing Brian dressed in formal attire. He looked somewhat weary."Mr. Collins," Robin greeted.Brian nodded slightly in response and walked over to her side.He whispered, "I heard that Aunt Alina isn't doing very well, so I came to check on you guys. Don't be too upset if you can help it."Upon hearing this, Robin pursed her lips. She replied in a soft voice, "I already expected this to happen, so I'm not too upset by it. I just feel a bit helpless at the moment."Although Robin had already anticipated this outcome, she couldn't change it.Robin sighed as a hint of grief filled her eyes.Brian walked over to sit beside her. His tone was gentle as he said, "Death is inevitable for everyone, after all. People either die from old age or sickness. Try to take it easy."Aunt Alina probably wouldn't want you to be so upset either."Robin nodded and turned her gaze toward Brian. When she noticed that was wearing a suit, she asked, "Where we
During her conversation with Alina, Robin had already tried her best to keep her emotions under control. She did not expect Alina to get so worked up.Robin simply didn't want Alina to use her past as an example to educate Robin.After all, everybody was living a different life.Robin would never settle for second best.Robin sat quietly as the doctor continued talking. But she didn't hear a word he said. Noticing Robin's low spirits, Conner said softly to her after the doctor left, "Roo, don't burden yourself with all this. This day was bound to come sooner or later."Although Conner was trying to comfort Robin, his voice was hoarse and contained a hint of melancholy that he failed to conceal.Robin took a deep breath. With her reddened, teary eyes, she told Conner, "I shouldn't have argued with her knowing she was sick. With her current state, it's my fault that I insisted on my point."Conner sighed with a hint of helplessness in his expression. He avoided Robin's eyes and
Robin took a deep breath and said softly, "Don't worry about Chandler. Terence will handle it."After all, Chandler raised Terence like a son despite not being blood-related. The bond between them was too strong for Terence to ignore."Just focus on getting better."Alina went silent for a while. Robin chose not to say anything further either.She wanted to end the discussion in Alina's silence. But to her surprise, Alina uttered hesitantly after a long pause, "No, Terence will not care about Chandler."If Terence helps Chandler out, Weiss Group will face setbacks. Terence prioritizes his interests above all else. He won't care about Chandler. I…"Robin watched Alina getting worked up as she continued talking. Robin couldn't help but feel bad.However, she couldn't pinpoint her feelings. Did she feel bad because after all these years, Alina still cared about Chandler? Or was it because Conner's effort was being overlooked by Alina?Even though Chandler was her biological father
Conner had been working tirelessly to take care of the family. Even now that Alina fell ill, he cared for her selflessly."I should go back and check on your mom. If not, she'll wake up and find herself alone."Robin felt bad watching Conner's silhouette. She and Conner went back to the ward together. Sure enough, Alina was already awake.Robin sat on the couch and felt a mix of emotions as she watched Conner care for Alina devotedly.Alina had finished her medicine for the day, and Conner needed to get her the newly prescribed medicine from the pharmacy. So, Robin stayed back to keep Alina company.Robin kept her gaze fixed on Alina's weary face and asked softly, "Mom, do you want me to end up like you?"Alina paused for a moment after listening to Robin as a hint of confusion flashed in her eyes. Clearly, she did not understand the meaning of Robin's words.Robin took a deep breath to control her own emotions and continued softly, "I was referring to finding a man who takes
Terence was waiting at a traffic light, so his surroundings were noisy. As Robin's voice was very soft, Terence couldn't quite make out what she was saying. "I'm heading to the hospital to check on her now. How are things with your mom?" Terence repeated his question to Robin again. Robin went silent. She had already decided to be with Terence, and he had also publicly clarified that nothing was happening between him and Monica. So, it would be childish of her to ask the question again because he had already made things clear. Robin's lips were pressed together, and her expression had reverted back to normal. She said, "She's fine here. Don't worry about it." She then murmured softly under her breath, "I'll call you back later. Drive safely." As soon as she finished talking, she immediately ended the call. Terence didn't give it much thought after Robin ended the call. He turned the engine on and drove off to the hospital to visit Monica. Robin stood in the cor