"Mr. Scott, Charlie Brun. An attorney who wants to make an appointment with you. He wants to discuss visitation rights. Would you like me to schedule a meeting with our corporate lawyer?" Laurence fell silent. "Take him to the meeting room." Given his busy schedule, Matthew was surprised Laurence would handle such a small matter. He nodded and replied, "Of course."Laurence didn’t think Zoey would act so quickly. It seemed she didn't want to wait a second longer. She found a lawyer to cut the last tie with him."Get someone from our legal team to join the meeting." "Sure." Zoey’s attorney specialized in marital law. He had a contract for the other party to give up custody rights ready on his computer. Lawyers' fees were usually calculated by the hour and sometimes even by the minute.It was Charlie's first time at the headquarters of the famous Scott Group. He was kept waiting in the meeting room for half an hour. He checked his watch. He had prepared himself for the possibi
Zoey may have been seen as a pushover. Even when she sent back the interns’ proposal, she was soft-spoken and always open to discussion. She had always had patience for those starting their careers. She didn't hold back in sharing her experience and wisdom.The younger generation was more assertive. The interns were pretty well-off and had never had a hard time at home or school. They were offended that their proposal was criticized and turned down. Besides, it was no secret that Zoey had connections. She was around their age, but the interns weren't too pleased with their leader. The interns grumbled in hushed tones. They assumed Zoey would pretend she hadn’t heard them to keep up with appearances. Zoey stopped them. She said, "You can voice your complaints. No one will respect you if you moan among yourselves." Her calm words made their faces flush. It was like a slap in the face. They couldn't believe she would point it out so bluntly.The interns returned to their office. T
“Were you behind it?” Zoey asked as she ended the call. Laurence didn't understand Zoey's question. "What?" Despite his confused tone, Zoey didn’t believe him and it showed in her eyes. She did not trust him. Laurence was capable of getting whatever he wanted and he would do anything to get it. He threatened her to divorce Michael, and a few days later, Michael was in a car accident. The timing was too suspicious to be a coincidence. Laurence looked into Zoey's eyes. Her expression made him feel uncomfortable. Her lack of faith in him stung. He swallowed hard and took a moment to compose himself. He asked, "What happened?"Zoey did not hide the truth. "Michael was in a car accident." Laurence curled his lips and scoffed. He stared at her blankly. He knew where the conversation was going. "So you think I'm behind it?" Zoey nodded. "That's right." She ignored the hurt in his eyes and asked in a flat tone, "Wasn't it?" Laurence sneered at her serious tone. The pair were locke
There was a dark and menacing undertone to Laurence's words.After Laurence hung up on Michael, Zoey snatched her phone from him. Her face was flushed with rage. Laurence grew angry. He couldn't stand Zoey's attention being on someone else, even if the man was her lawful husband. "He isn't dead. You don't have to feel bad for him." Laurence's jealousy surged through him. The air grew thick and oppressive.The anger drove Zoey to the brink of tears. Her tendency to burst into tears had not changed much over the years. "Nothing good ever comes out of your mouth." Laurence felt uneasy, but he kept it together. He replied gracefully, "Yes, I'm a monster."Zoey didn’t waste another breath. She rushed out of the building and hailed a cab. Suddenly, the man dragged her into another car and slammed the door shut. She heard the door lock click. The chauffeur was used to the scenario. He held his breath the entire time. Laurence sat next to Zoey calmly. He cocked his head over and a
Zoey was startled when she heard the term of endearment, but she quickly warmed up to it. She let Michael hold her hand. She pursed her lips and asked in a soft voice, "What did the doctor say?" Michael hadn’t listened to what the doctor said, but he assumed it was nothing serious. Otherwise, he wouldn't be in the ward with only an IV drip."The doctor wants to keep me for observation," he told her. As Zoey's long-time friend, Michael was on her side. He knew she didn't want anything to do with her ex-husband anymore, so he played the role of an attentive and caring husband in front of Laurence. Michael didn’t mind addressing Zoey intimately. "I'm in pain, babe." He spoke in a weak and shaky voice. He leaned on Zoey as if she was his only lifeline. Laurence scowled at Michael. He found Michael repulsive before, but now he wanted to kill him. Michael felt a cold chill run through him.Zoey believed Michael. She furrowed her brows and asked, "Where does it hurt? Did you ask the
Zoey was shocked that Laurence would send someone to pick Teddy up from kindergarten without her knowledge or consent. No wonder he had been quiet when they left the hospital.Zoey was furious. She lashed out and couldn't keep her tone flat like before, "That's against the law. Where is my boy? I'll pick him up right now." The man on the other end of the line laughed. "I picked my son up from school. What's unlawful about that?" Zoey's hands were shaking. She got a grip on herself and asked, "Are you trying to fight for custody?" Laurence fell silent. He finally spoke, "No, I'm just using my visitation rights." He pursed his lips and said calmly, "You can pick him up from my family home tomorrow if you want to see him." Color drained from Zoey's face as she clenched her fingers. Her knuckles turned white. She replied, "You can't let your family know." The Scotts and Laurence were very different. In her two years of marriage to Laurence, Zoey was afraid of his father the most
Teddy put on a straight face. He wasn’t bothered that he had been kidnapped. Even at the age of five, the child showed a remarkable ability to remain calm in the face of danger. "My mom hates you too." Laurence stopped to look at the child on the sofa. He chuckled and gave the kid a nod. "I know. So what?" Teddy fell silent. The boy didn't have better emotional control than an adult. He looked at his supposed biological dad blankly. "No wonder my mom hates you." Laurence looked at the child and reached out to squeeze his face. Teddy looked insulted. He was disgusted by Laurence's touch. He turned his face away from his grasp. The man was feeling cheeky. He clutched the boy's chin and locked eyes with him. Laurence said casually, "Even if you hate me, you have to stay here." Teddy couldn’t fight Laurence, so he remained still. The boy refused to talk. His mother would pick him up so he did not panic. A while later, Laurence lost interest and released his grip. He left a
Laurence was more optimistic than ever. He knew there was more than one way to get back with Zoey. If he couldn't win her back, he would kidnap her. He believed that where there was a will, there was a way. Since he was no longer a gentleman to her, he had no problems doing whatever it took to get her back.Mrs. Scott was overjoyed to learn that Zoey was still alive. She was even happier than when she found out Teddy was their child. Nothing else mattered to her as long as Zoey was alive.As her eyes teared up, Mrs. Scott asked, "How has she been doing these past few years?" She mumbled to herself, "She is a kind and intelligent girl. I’m sure she was doing well wherever she was." Laurence couldn't answer his mother's question. He had asked Zoey the same thing, and she had told him she was doing well. But he knew that was not true."That reminds me. Does she know that you brought the child home? Did she give you permission?" "Mom, I told you to stay out of it." "I'm asking abo