"Listen to me first." Lincoln's voice was tranquilizing. "I understand that you don't want me to be wronged, but letting this go is our only choice.""Lincoln, are you saying this because you don't want me to go after Vicky?""That's not it," Lincoln said calmly. "Mom, have you forgotten where we are?""We're at our home, of cour—" she blurted out, only to pause, realizing that they were in Zendonia.Lincoln knew that Valencia realized their situation. He smiled faintly and said, "This is Zendonia. Even if you go to Tyler, what can you do? You know his temper. He'll never apologize. If you provoke him, do you know what the consequences will be?"Valencia's face paled slightly at Lincoln's words.Although Tyler had acknowledged his lineage, due to his rebellious and wilful nature, Valencia's impression of him had deteriorated over time. Her feelings toward Tyler shifted from feeling guilty and indebted initially to sheer resentment.She never regarded Tyler as her biological son,
However, Valencia did not believe Avery's explanation.Even if it was the result of a scheme, Avery's reputation was in the dirt, and the Harts could not accept such a woman into the family.'As for Vicky Shaw...' Valencia thought. 'She'll never be a part of this family unless I die.'Lincoln did not seem surprised and smiled. "Since Miss Yeager has come all the way to see me, it seems inappropriate to chase her away. Let's meet and cancel the engagement officially."Valencia scowled. "But she used to be all over you. Will she agree to call off the engagement?"Lincoln chuckled. "She will."...One day, Aurora had nothing better to do and came to visit Vicky once again. The Harts assumed that Aurora was Tyler's fiance and did not make any effort to stop her from entering.After receiving the servant's notification, Vicky had just come downstairs when she was greeted by Aurora's warm embrace."Vicky, long time no see. I've missed you so much," Aurora said with enthusiasm.Vick
"You are Tyler Hart?" Avery stared at the man before her with disbelief. "You are the elder brother of Lincoln, the descendent of the Harts who have been adopted into a different family?"Tyler lowered his gaze at her and asked, "Do you need something, Miss Yeager?"She blinked blankly. "Are you really? Seriously?""What's wrong?""You are different from how rumors describe you," she said bluntly.Tyler lifted an eyebrow. "Rumors?"Avery scanned him from head to toe. "Don't you know what people say about you?""I don't."As Lincoln's fiance, Avery had heard of Tyler's name.She and Lincoln had been engaged before Tyler returned to the Hart family. Due to work commitments, she had gone abroad for a period when Tyler was brought back to Zendonia.Though she had heard many stories about Tyler, she never met him.Avery intentionally teased, "Do you want to know?"Tyler responded with cold indifference, "I don't."Avery was momentarily rendered speechless, her words stuck in he
Before this, Avery had always thought that Tyler was a brute man, only for her belief to be denied entirely.Not only was Tyler handsome-looking, but he had a majestic air about him that rivaled Lincoln, who had been raised in a noble family. On top of that, Tyler had a more dominating presence than Lincoln.He was hardly that rumored brute thug but was the dream man of all women.If any of the noble ladies in the elite society had met him in person, they would kill him to marry him.Tyler remained indifferent and said, "I see."His calm and composed demeanor made Avery even more curious about him. "Aren't you angry?" she asked.Tyler calmly countered, "Why should I be?""They maliciously slandered you and said terrible things about you. Aren't you angry at all?""I never get angry over irrelevant people."Avery was momentarily stunned and asked again, "Do you have any plans to clarify these rumors?""No.""Why not? These false rumors can damage your reputation," said Avery
Not far away, Aurora saw Avery talking to Tyler and could not help but whisper, "It's her."Vicky turned her head to look at Aurora. "Do you know her?"Aurora nodded. "Her name is Avery Yeager. She is Lincoln's fiancee."Vicky furrowed her brow slightly.She had heard rumors about Lincoln's fiancee. Though she did not know the girl's name, she knew she belonged to the prestigious Yeager family, whose background was no less impressive than the Hart family.Rumors had it that Valencia hastily arranged a fiancee for Lincoln who could provide support out of fear that the return of her biological son, Tyler, would threaten Lincoln's position, and Lincoln had accepted the arrangement obediently.Aurora's voice rose again. "Speaking of which, the Yeager family is even more powerful than mine. Being engaged to Lincoln is considered marrying down a class, I suppose. Although the Hart family is also a top-tier aristocratic family, Lincoln's status as an adopted son is somewhat inferior whe
Vicky was a bit puzzled as to why Aurora felt the need to bring this up to her.Seeing Vicky's confusion, Aurora sighed with resignation. "Vicky, I'm sure Tyler's looks must've attracted quite a few admirers, right?"It finally dawned on Vicky what Aurora was getting at. "Are you saying that Avery might develop feelings for Tyler? But she's engaged to Lincoln, right? Would she try to date them both at the same time?""Not necessarily, but if Lincoln intends to break off the engagement with Avery and he gets his way...don't you think Avery might shift her attention to Tyler?" Concerned that Vicky might feel upset, Aurora added, "Of course, this is just what I think. The engagement between Avery and Lincoln might not be easily dissolved. After all, the investment Avery's family has made in Lincoln is significant, and the more they've invested, the harder it is to let go. Avery may have a fondness for handsome men, but she's not the type to dabble with multiple relationships. However,
Instantly, two maids darted toward Vicky from behind Valencia, and one of the maids slapped Vicky across the face.Smack!These maids worked hard labor over the years and were extremely strong, so Vicky's cheek instantly turned swollen.Valencia sneered smugly. "Look around and think twice if this is a place for you to do as you please!"The next instant, Valencia froze because Vicky raised her arm and slapped the maid before her.The maid did not anticipate that Vicky would fight back and collapse onto the ground under the impact.Although the slap was not aimed at Valencia, it still humiliated her.Valencia had met many wealthy and high-ranking heiresses, even some princesses, who all treated her with the utmost respect with the exception of Vicky.'It's because of her that Tyler repeatedly disregarded me, his own mother!' hissed Valencia internally and pointed at Vicky, her anger shaking her voice. "How insolent! How dare you lay your hands on someone? All of you, grab her,
Half an hour of hiding was all Vicky managed before Valencia's men found her.It seemed that Valencia was playing for keeps this time, as the people she sent to find Vicky were all skilled bodyguards.In the face of these professional guards, Vicky had no means of defending herself.Knowing that resistance was futile, Vicky decided not to invite more trouble upon herself.By the lakeside, Valencia stood on the bridge, enjoying the scenic view of the lake.When Vicky was captured and brought back, Valencia sneered. "Weren't you running away? Why did you stop?" Valencia leisurely walked over to Vicky's side, looking down at her from a superior position. "Where do you think you are? Did you really think that you could escape?"Restrained by the bodyguards on either side, Vicky could not move an inch. She remained silent, refusing to speak, and Valencia's gaze turned colder and more contemptuous the longer she looked at her.Normally, Valencia prided herself on her noble status and