At the hospital, Chloe struggled to find the right words. "It wasn't me… I didn't do anything…""Enough! Just shut up!" Nathan stood up abruptly, his eyes reddened. "When Mr. Harold fell into a coma, you gave the same explanation. And now, when Amelia is facing this situation, you're using the same excuse again. Do you think we're fools?!"A lump formed in Chloe's throat, and before she could speak, Gabriel interrupted her. "Since you appeared, everyone around you has gotten hurt—Joe, Mr. Harold, and now Amelia. You keep saying others are trying to harm you, but who are the real victims here?""But I'm not lying. It's the truth—""Why is it that whenever someone gets hurt, it's always someone else, but you remain unscathed?"Chloe glanced at Joseph whose brows were deeply furrowed. Her lips turned pale, and a wave of sadness washed over her. As long as there were no visible physical injuries, everyone assumed she was unharmed. If that were the case, she would much rather endure th
Nathan's face sank. "I'm sorry." Ava had to stay in the hospital for observation, and Nathan needed to work. He went home to pick up his laptop before heading back to the hospital to accompany her.When no one was around, Ava sent a text to an unknown number. [Chloe has discovered my identity. What should I do?] The reply came swiftly. [What do Nathan and the others think?] Ava replied, [Everyone else believes me.]The response came, [Then there's no need to panic.]*Joseph arrived home in the early hours of the morning. He had matters to handle at the Whitman Group, so he went to Docwood after leaving the hospital. After resting briefly in the living room, he headed to the office for a meeting just as the sky began to brighten.After the meeting, Lucas brought breakfast and placed it on the coffee table. "Sir, please eat.”There were two black circles around Joseph's eyes, and he sounded weary as he said, "I'm fine. Has Chloe contacted me?"Lucas took out his phone and c
Chloe frowned and looked outside. "Who's here?" The commotion outside grew intense. The house helper, who was cooking in the kitchen, looked outside and exclaimed, "Oh, it's Mr. Jonathan!""Jonathan?""And a bunch of other people," the helper added.Before Chloe could react, Jonathan and numerous members from the Whitman family's main and side branches stormed in like a swarm of bees. Taking the lead, he approached Chloe and grabbed her by the collar, dragging her outside."What are you doing?!" Chloe shouted, attempting to break free from his grip."You hurt Grandpa, so we're taking you to the police station!" Jonathan said arrogantly.Gone was the submissive man he used to be. He had done his homework well before coming here. He knew that Joseph was away on a business trip today, so he could not help this woman."It wasn't me! I didn't harm Grandpa!""All the evidence points to you. Your lies won't work. Everyone present today is a senior member of the Whitman family, and w
"Get someone to handle the task," Joseph said.“Yes, sir."*Two hours later, Joseph returned home and learned about what had happened. Though the bodyguards failed to stop Chloe, they held Jonathan back. After all, why should they take the blame when he was the one responsible?However, Joseph just looked at Jonathan coldly and said, "Fuck off." Jonathan was taken aback. ‘Does he no longer care about Chloe? He's letting me go so easily?' Jonathan wondered. "So I can leave? I hope you won't be angry at us, Joe. We did it for your own good," Jonathan said cautiously, "My father is about to be released, and I'll bring him here to apologize to you. We’re still family, after all."Joseph chuckled lazily. "Did your chip investment fail?"Jonathan was stumped. "There have been some issues."Initially, he could have withdrawn both the principal and the profits. However, there were some malfunctions with the chip."Okay." Joseph was not interested in Jonathan's matter. He waved,
"Mind your own business," Joseph said and dragged Chloe away.Emily stomped her foot in frustration. 'Jeez, he's so unreasonable!'In the car, silence hung between Joseph and Chloe as they exchanged glances. Chloe turned to stare out of the window. Joseph felt a sense of sadness at being ignored. Sitting at the front, Lucas tried his best to minimize his presence, hoping not to incur either of their wrath.After a while, Joseph said after composing himself, "We'll get the maternity DNA test results for Amelia and Karen the day after tomorrow."Chloe turned back to him. Her voice shook with emotion as she asked, "You believe me?""When did I ever say I didn't?""You never once believed me and always doubted me," she retorted.Her words stung him. His face sank, and he decided to stay silent.The sky darkened, and they slowly left Aesper, heading toward the direction of Docwood. As she watched the passing scenery, Chloe asked, "Aren't we going home?"Joseph replied calmly, "No,
"No... I don't like Icarus."Her face was covered in tears. Even her curly lashes were decorated with dewy drops, making her a pitiful sight."If you don't like him, why are you unwilling to stay with me?""I no longer love you."Chloe closed her eyes and allowed her tears to escape her. As she made that statement, she was in so much pain that she could not breathe. All the past scenes of them flashed past her mind. She recalled how nice he was to her, but even a great love would be washed away by overflowing disappointment. Now, all she wanted was to give birth to the child and raise the child well.Joseph seemed to have received a great blow. He clenched his fists tightly as the gloominess in his heart attacked him fiercely. Every word she said caused him pain. It was as if she could lead a better life without him. In the past, she had shamelessly fawned over him. But now, she regarded him with disdain after gaining his heart.Joseph’s gaze went blank. The humiliation hit him
Chloe raised a question. "How is all that for me?" "Duskfall wanted to kill you that day. Although you managed to escape, Vanya isn’t the only member of Duskfall. They have hundreds of killers. Cyrus is a crazy man. He failed to locate Mr. Joseph's mother, so he's taking his anger out on Mr. Joseph.“You're Mr. Joseph's lover, so it's inevitable that Duskfall will target you relentlessly. To outsiders, it looks like Mr. Joseph is indifferent toward you and is in comparison nice to Xavia. It's just to confuse Duskfall and protect you."Mr. Joseph has tried his best to be nice to you."Chloe touched her face and felt tears on her face. "It doesn't matter anymore." She no longer cared about who Joseph truly loved.When Lucas saw her calm expression, he frowned slightly and stopped talking. Chloe arrived at the marital home Joseph had mentioned. In the dark, the mansion appeared spacious, and she could not see the end of it. Even with its many lights, she felt no sense of security.
Vanya looked at him in disbelief. "Will you let me go?""What do you think?""I can't trust you wholeheartedly unless you offer me something in return.""You have no right to negotiate terms with me." Vanya gritted her teeth. "Well then, I’ve changed my mind!"She would be doomed if she told him everything and he broke his promise. By not saying anything, she could hold on to her worth.Joseph lost his patience with her and turned to leave. He felt that Vanya would tell him the truth sooner or later. It was just a matter of time before she exposed everything. *At the mansion, Chloe was plagued by nightmares from sleeping in an unfamiliar place.In her dreams, she stood at a busy crossroads. She had no idea where to go. Suddenly, a small and blurry figure approached her and addressed her as “mother.” Inexplicably, she felt that this baby was hers. She lovingly picked up the baby and patted his back gently to comfort him."Aaaahh! Mommy, don't leave me. Please don't leave me