Margot glanced at Calvin, thinking he was the one who had spoken about it. Calvin immediately turned to Anthony, persuading, "Anthony, leave Margot's matters alone.""I wouldn't care if she weren't my sister, but she is now," Anthony retorted. His recent rest had revitalized him, and though he couldn't get up, his bodily functions were normal. He looked at Margot with a mix of frustration and disappointment, "Do you love him that much? A man who injured me like this, cheated during his marriage, and kept a mistress and illegitimate child outside – is he really worth your continuous, undignified support?"In Anthonyi's eyes, Curtis was a man of corrupted morals and twisted values, exploiting his power and status to hurt Margot repeatedly. He couldn't stand it, wondering why she chose Curtis over everyone else."Anthony, stop it," Calvin interjected, worried that Margot would get upset.Margot was trying hard to control her emotions. Taking a deep breath, she looked at Anth
Seeing Margot beside him cry, Curtis felt an inexplicable bitterness in his heart. He gently wiped her tears with his hand, but he disagreed with what she said. "Anthony's injuries will heal, and I am also undergoing treatment. Margot, stop talking nonsense about taking Lilac into the mountains; I won't allow it." Holding her tightly, Curtis tried to comfort her, "It's my fault, making you worry so much for me, I'm sorry!" He took all the blame upon himself, which, in fact, was indeed his responsibility.How could a man let his woman worry so much for him and even shed tears for him? He felt he deserved to die. Initially distressed, Margot was initially distressed, but upon hearing Curtis blame himself, she hurriedly contained her grievance. Moving away from his embrace, she clarified, "Don't overthink; I was just venting. It's not your fault." "How is it not my fault? I hurt Anthony, and my illness has caused you so much worry." Curtis' face clouded over. He gripped her han
"Yeah, Daddy misses his precious girl. Darling, Grandma has come to pick you up. Do you want to go with her?" Lilac saw her grandmother not far away. Ashley was dressed beautifully. Lilac's grandma made all the kindergarten kids envious for having a handsome dad, a beautiful mom, and a kind grandma. Ashley was good, and Lilac was willing to go to the castle to play, especially since there were many brothers and sisters there who were nice to her. Thinking of this, Lilac cheerfully responded, "I want to go with Grandma. Can Daddy come to pick me up later?""Of course, whenever you want Daddy to pick you up, just call, and Daddy will come with Mommy to get you." "Okay, then bye-bye, Daddy." Saying this, Lilac handed the phone back to the teacher. After getting the confirmation, the teacher handed the child over to Ashley.Putting away his phone, Curtis hugged Margot in his arms tighter. "Lilac has been picked up to go to the Crosby residence. Let's see how she does there alon
Curtis found himself speechless, recognizing the futility of reasoning with a woman. Women were quite difficult to deal with.Unable to win the argument, he wrapped her in his large embrace, a place where she couldn't escape and could freely express herself. For Margot, Curtis' arms were the safest and most comforting place in the world. It was a place where she felt utterly content whenever she was held by him.Due to their child being taken to the Crosby residence, Margot decided to stay in the hospital with Curtis. They did not leave the hospital for two days, waiting until the doctor confirmed Curtis' stable condition before planning to return to the Crosby residence to pick up Lilac on the third day.Just as they stepped out of the hospital, Margot's phone rang. It was Natalie's urgent voice on the other end. "Margot, are you busy right now?""Not at all, what's up, Natalie?" "Can you ask Curtis to check with Gabriel if he has taken Benjamin away? Benjamin is missing,
Margot said, "Natalie told me she doesn't love Gabriel anymore; she likes Calvin.""Did she tell you this herself?" Curtis tilted his head, looking at her. If Natalie was clear about her feelings, then it was likely a lost cause for Gabriel. This time, by taking the child away secretly, wasn't he just making matters worse?"I think even if they got together, there would be a gap between them. Gabriel lost a daughter, and Natalie felt deceived. What's the point of them being together under such circumstances?" She might not be able to interfere in others' affairs, but she felt sympathy for Natalie. She believed Natalie deserved a better man.Curtis sighed. "That's true, but they grew up together and have a child. It's not easy to just cut ties." "If our views differ this much, does it mean we are incompatible in fundamental values?" Ye Shengsheng suddenly asked.Curtis quickly realized the sensitivity of the topic and sided with her. "No, I was just speaking thoughtlessly. I t
Gabriel believed he wielded control over Natalie using their child as leverage. He gestured toward the agreement on the coffee table, "Sign this, and I'll arrange for you to see your son." He aimed to secure his victory without pushing her too far.Natalie's gaze fixated on the document before her. It laid out stringent terms, binding her to a lifetime of celibacy and prohibiting any romantic or ambiguous relationships with other men. Should she violate this agreement, she would forfeit custody of her son, forever barred from seeing him.As she read, Natalie's fingers clenched the paper so tightly that her nails pierced through her skin, sending a wave of pain coursing through her. Memories flooded back, reminding her of the humiliations from her marriage to Gabriel and the terrible moment he imprisoned their son to harvest his bone marrow for another woman's child.How come Gabriel could have a daughter with another woman, yet she was denied her own freedom and love? Back then, she
Natalie's gaze bore into Gabriel, her typically fair face now cold as ice. Gabriel pursed his lips, meeting her eyes once more."Is there no room for negotiation?" he asked."Gabriel, I haven't called the police over you taking my son. That's the greatest mercy I've shown you. If you don't return him, don't blame me for being ruthless," Natalie retorted."But he's my son too. He's been with you all these years. Can't I have him over so my parents can see him?""Did you even ask Benjamin if he wanted to go with you? Don't you realize how much he resents you and your parents?"Frustration made Natalie raise her voice, her emotions spiraling out of control. "Do you even understand the psychological trauma you inflicted on him? Do you know how terrified he becomes every time he needs an injection at the hospital, recalling how you once planned to harvest his bone marrow for your other child? And you dare claim you're fit to be his father?"Without wasting more words, she shoved him a
After breakfast, Margot and Curtis left Lilac at the Crosby residence and went out together. Since Curtis's health was stable, they didn't need to visit the hospital that day. Instead, Margot treated Curtis to her pizzeria. However, on the way, they had to make a detour to Curtis' company to handle some urgent business, with plans to meet up with Margot later in the afternoon.Despite being busy at her pizzeria, Margot couldn't shake off thoughts about Natalie's predicament and decided to call her. Natalie answered with a weary voice, "Margot?""Natalie, have you managed to contact Gabriel? Is Benjamin alright?" she asked."I'm back in Amberville, currently discussing legal actions with my lawyer," Natalie replied."What? He won't return Benjamin to you? Where are you? I'll come to you."After getting the address of the law firm, Margot hurriedly left. Coincidentally, she bumped into Calvin. He approached her, hoping to mend fences. "Margot, are you busy? If not, can we talk?"He