Emily was in a quandary. She didn't want to meet anyone, but Jared's questions and statements about her made her confused.It wasn't that she couldn't handle a guy like Jared—he was just like Jason, who was often surrounded by women—but rather that she wasn't in a good mood. She was in the mood for the company party that would be held next week.She doesn't even let her best friend come to see her."I'm sorry, Jared. I still need some time alone. At least this week. I'll be back, but for the time being, I need to be alone."Emily's request was explicit, and she didn't want anyone to interrupt her vacation. Even if it was for something Jared said was important, Emily could still ignore it in favor of spending time with herself. She really won't let anyone interfere with her life right now."It's fine if you don't want me to bother you. Maybe next time we can talk about this over lunch." Emily nodded. She realized that Jared couldn't possibly see her movements at the moment. However, t
Emily was all geared up and ready to go to the beach club not far from their hotel. However, before she could open the door to her room, there was a knock.Emily rushed to open the door and found Jeffry Allen standing in front of her.He, in a shirt and trousers, stood with a friendly smile and took a moment to notice Emily's appearance, who was wearing a knee-length floral chiffon dress. It made Emily look as sweet as a teenager.However, everyone knew her age, except for her pregnancy, of course."Are you ready?" Jeffry asked, extending his hand.Emily, who had never received such sweet treatment, especially from a stranger, hesitated to accept the man's hand.She wasn't suspicious; she didn't want to open the door to anything other than business. However, she couldn't help but accept Jeffry's hand. She then walked hand in hand with Jeffry while chatting lightly about the challenges Emily faced after becoming a subsidiary owner of McKennel."It was very thrilling. Just imagine never
"Oh, you have the guts to return to this house?" Charles quipped to Jason, who casually stepped into the McKennel residence that he had left long ago.Charles did not mind Jason's departure when he was still with Emily. Indeed, they intended to start an independent life as a married couple. However, after separating from Emily, Jason still dared to come home and meet his parents, which was surprising."No need to insinuate me like that, Dad. You were the one who told us to separate, so it's not my fault." Jason refuted with a face that did not turn to his father.Charles would not be angry at Jason's attitude because he had faced the same thing all along. Jason was always easy to refute if he felt right—regardless of whether he was right or just winning his ego.And again, what his youngest son said was one hundred percent true. Charles asked the two to marry and then made them sign the divorce papers afterward. However, it was all because he had witnessed first-hand how much Emily su
As Jared promised, he picked Emily up at the airport because she asked him to. Not because she wants to take advantage of Jared's attention but because she needs a handhold to strengthen her morale at this time.Too many things had surprised her lately. Some men made her a little uneasy. Although with Alex and Jared, Emily can be calm, but not with Jeffry.Jeffry seemed to approach Emily too aggressively. Even just a few times meeting and he already dared to express his interest in Emily."You kept your promise to tell me. I thought you'd shy away because of what I said," Jared said as he drove his vehicle. Emily only flashed a faint smile.Emily stared at the handsome face of the man beside her for a moment, his long hair tied up neatly, mesmerizing. Jared had always made women hold their breath every time he passed them."There's nothing I need to avoid from you, Jared. You're like a big brother to me." Emily finally answered after taking in the sight of her adopted brother."Seriou
"Who? Do you know him? Or maybe someone you know? Because he said that he's worked with and been a client of dad before," Emily replied as she savored her food which she was about to finish.Jared had ordered so much that Emily admitted that she had overeaten seafood today."Oh, I'm so full I'm going to burst. Are you done yet?" asked Emily, who had noticed a change in Jared's face. He seemed to be still trying to remember Jeffry's name.It could be that Jeffry had something to do with Jared before."Don't think about that guy, Jared. We should go home now because I want to get ready and head to the office to organize all our project preparations and check if there's any work on my desk."Jared nodded in understanding, then got up and left the restaurant for Emily's house to let her get ready, then dropped her off at the office.Arriving at the office, Emily invited Jared to sit down and talk it over, with Shila listening in. As Emily's assistant, Shila had to know the intricacies of
Seeing Emily helpless, Jason and Jared rushed toward the woman and tried to help.Jared was eager to avenge what Jason had done to Emily, but this was not the right time. The most important thing for them to do was to get Emily to the hospital and make sure she got the best care possible.Jared swatted Jason's hand away as the man was about to lift Emily's body. He wouldn't let Jason land his dirty hands on a kind-hearted woman like Emily. Especially after what he did to her, Jared wouldn't let Jason get even closer to the woman who had officially become their adopted sister.However, Jason felt panicked because he didn't do it on purpose. The one who should have fallen down and even died on the spot, if necessary, should have been Jared.For Jason, Jared had always been a thorn in his flesh. Jared always kept Emily away from him.However, this time, should Jason feel angry because of the closeness between Emily and Jared? Because he has alienated Emily and made her no longer believe
Emily was alone with Jeffry in her room. She asks Jared and Shila to leave and assures them that she will be fine. Shila takes it easy because she doesn't know who Jeffry Allen is, and all she knows is the man's intention to build a business together with Emily, while Jared is different.Jared couldn't forget Jeffry's piercing gaze, as if he knew Jared well and now came with a purpose.Emily didn't see it the same way. To her, Jeffry Allen had been created as a package deal with a loud and arrogant character. So she was not surprised to see how the interaction between Jeffry and Jared went."I didn't know you were in the hospital." The man started the conversation with a gaze that could not be separated from Emily, who was still lying down with a bruised face in several parts and an ear still covered with bandages."When did you arrive in Eastonville? I'm sorry I asked you to come here; I was afraid I wouldn't be able to make it to your office on time."The man brought his face closer
Emily was still in the hospital and undergoing treatment. However, Shila continued to accompany her and help her with her office work. Although sometimes bored, at least the presence of Shila and Jared, who attended alternately, could slightly treat the boredom.Emily only asked that they keep her condition a secret from Charles and Emma. Emily did not want her adoptive parents to worry and overthink about her health while forgetting their old condition.And one more thing, Jeffry Allen began to come to visit since he knew that Emily was still in the hospital.Jeffry used various things as an excuse so Emily would not mind his arrival. In fact, it was not uncommon for him to suddenly appear without giving any news. One stubborn man should be enough, and Jeffry's presence seems to be a rival for Jared.Let's not forget Alex, who until now continues to contact Emily, but the woman did not tell her whereabouts at all. Not even since her vacation to Bali. And now, Alex sounds anxious when
Three months laterJason visited Emily and brought her a box of chocolates and a bouquet of her favorite flowers. Lili and Peonies that Jason still remembers today.Emily seemed happier than before, and of course, Jason's feelings also began to slowly calm down because he was freer to meet his son and spend time with Liam and Emily.She no longer rejects Jason's presence because she also needs him in Liam's care. She doesn't think of another love; her life is only for Liam now. She will do anything for her baby."Have you eaten yet? I brought your favorite food. Chinese food and spaghetti," Jason said with a bright smile.Seeing what Jason had brought and placed on the dining table, the two hazel eyes rounded."Seriously, Jase, this is a lot. Who's going to finish it?" asked Emily. "I'm on a diet."Jason chuckled at his ex-wife's words and got up and walked over to her, and grabbed both her hands."You still have to breastfeed Liam, and then your figure will return on its own.""What
In a different place, Jason repeatedly clucked and swore because Alex didn't come. Where did he go to relieve himself for so many minutes? Jason suspected that instead of going to the bathroom to relieve himself, Alex was meditating.Jason looked at the black clock in his hand. The long hand of the clock had changed to four. That meant he had been in his apartment for over twenty minutes."Where is he?" muttered Jason.Jason checked his cell phone. It was dead, so he couldn't use it to contact Alex. After charging it in the car, it finally turned on.Jason hurriedly searched for Alex's contact name. As soon as he wanted to call, three messages appeared from the person he was waiting for.Jason opened them. There was one slightly long video there. A little suspicious, Jason finally played it. In the video, he only saw a white image. Jason snorted in annoyance."What is he doing exactly." Just about to press the button again, Jason heard a voice. The white video finally changed, showing
Jason ignored Alex's words. At Alex's house, Jason had a heated argument with the man. Shila even had to break it up. Because of the woman's words, Jason left and returned to his apartment to get something. He was going to get ready to meet Jeffry.Who would have thought that Alex would follow him? Finally, the man stopped at the door of his apartment."Move!" Jason said for the umpteenth time but did not get a response from Alex. Alex shook heis head. "You want to get into more trouble? If there's anything wrong with Jeffry, he can deny all charges," Alex explained. The man's face looked solemn."Then, you want me to stand by while he manages to make Emily the victim of his physical and sexual abuse? You want me to stay silent and let him laugh out loud in the hospital bed?" Jason's eyes were full of flames of anger.Alex looked down because he couldn't bear to stare at the man's eyeballs, which seemed ready to destroy his through invisible lasers. Alex clenched his fists. Honest
Shila bit her lip. Her heart beat fast because the two people she was waiting for had disappeared. "What are they looking for? What took them so long?"Evil thoughts about her two friends immediately came to mind. Maybe they were caught and were being beaten up by the burly guards.Shila shook his head. Her heart almost jumped when she heard a noise next to her. She thought she was caught too, but it was far from it as she saw Jason and Alex.Shila then approached the two of them. "Are you guys okay? Did you make it?"Jason nodded. "Looks like luck is on our side. We managed to get the footage." Jason took the pen drive he had saved and showed it to Shila.The woman let out a long sigh. Showing that a heavy burden had just been lifted. Shila, who had been filled with fear, could now smile broadly. "Good. With that recording, Emily can get out of prison right away."Alex patted his shirt. "Before that, we have to see the video."Jason put his arm around Alex. He slipped the car keys in
The three people who had just arrived were invited to sit by a man wearing a black suit. Jason thought it was not the same suit he had worn last night. The man, who was in his forties, looked fit. However, a few gray hairs appeared in his hair."So, what's your plan?" asked Jason as he looked through the documents before him."You haven't introduced them to me yet," said Mark, full of awareness, then took turns looking at Alex and Shila.Alex hurriedly held out his hand as a sign of introduction and seemed more polite. "Ah, sorry. I'm Alex, Emily's best friend."Mark welcomed the handshake kindly. Seeing what Alex did, Shila also did the same."Sorry, Jason was probably too excited to investigate this case. So, he didn't have time to introduce the two of us." Shila smiled sweetly. "Oh yeah, introduce me to Shila, Jason, and Emily's best friend, the current suspect."Mark also greeted Shila kindly. "Okay. I'm Mark Jefferson. Jason's father's best friend and the detective he appointed t
Jason's idea then made the three people pay full attention to Tamara. From now on, Jason will take over the investigation of the woman. Meanwhile, Alex and Shila will look for something about Jeffry. Both are determined to make the man pay for what he did to their best friend."I'm going home.""What for?" Shila's brow furrowed. "What about Tamara? Don't you want to investigate on your own?"Jason nodded. "I am. But I'll ask my parents to contact Detective Jefferson. I didn't get a chance to meet them yesterday."Alex patted Jason's shoulder. "Alright. You can go home; we will look for information about Jeffry.""Good. Then I'll go now. You guys take good care of it."Alex and Shila answered together with confidence.Jason excused himself and headed straight to his parent's house. Yesterday, he didn't meet them because Jared's presence made him emotional. The man who had the misfortune of being Jared's brother chose to leave rather than cause a more complicated commotion. If not for J
Emily was indeed much safer at Alex's mansion. After Shila and Jason took turns visiting her today, due to the weekend, the four got together and discussed Liam.Jason, suspicious of Tamara, let her stay in his apartment with Aaron. However, with Emily in Alex's residence, Jason has to go back and forth between his apartment and Alex's house to ensure Emily is okay.After all, he doesn't know Alex, and anyway, Alex is a man who used to be very close to Emily. Even now, Jason still couldn't accept that fact."I can't say anything other than one thing; I'm keeping an eye on someone who might shed some light on Liam," Jason said as he reviewed the files on the report Jason had filed with the police. "They're not moving at all. Look!"Alex looked thoughtful as she heard Jason's words."Don't you think someone influential plays a role in this case? Who knows if it's true? I can confirm that Jeffry is the one," Alex said."You mean Jeffry paid the police not to investigate this case? This i
Tamara had just finished showering. She waited for Jason, who hadn't called her. "Where exactly is he? He hasn't even called me all day." Tamara scowled and headed for her dressing table. She looked at her reflection. Tamara saw a beautiful woman with a charming smile before her. Tamara liked the shape of her face. "No wonder so many men like me. Because I am beautiful," she praised herself. Reminiscing about the many men, Tamara could hardly believe that she had been in a relationship with Jason's brother-her current boyfriend. Tamara shook her head. The man was nothing more than an asshole. Tamara was too lazy to talk about it. Tamara stroked her belly. "It's probably a good thing me and Jared's baby wasn't born. Although I'm sad, there's no way I can hide that fact forever." Speaking of babies, Tamara remembered Aaron—Liam's new name, the son of Emily and Jason. Jeffry's words replayed in her head. She remembered clearly when Jeffry told her to get rid of Liam. The baby she now
Jeffry didn't care that his cell phone kept ringing. He continued to curse Emily. That crazy woman had the nerve to stab him. Jeffry alerted his two guards to help. It didn't take long for the two guards to find Jeffry still on the bed with a knife stuck in his body.One of the guards called an ambulance. About fifteen minutes later, the ambulance finally arrived and took Jeffry to the hospital.The man swore that he would make Emily feel even more pain than before. Because of him, she had gotten into a place she hated.***Elsewhere, Emily managed to reach a pay phone. She called Alex and told him about her situation. Of course, Alex was surprised when he heard Emily's story. Even though it was late at night, Alex immediately drove to take Emily to his mansion. Alex also called Shila to come over, as well as Jason.Now, the three of them were at Alex's residence. Shila cried when she first saw Emily's condition. She was only wearing an oversized shirt and shorts. Emily wasn't even we