Vicky stored the medicine away safely. "Thanks."Harvey leaned against the sofa nonchalantly. "Glad to be of help."After chatting for a while, Vicky's phone rang. Her eyes lit up with glee when she saw who was calling. A few seconds later, she answered the call."What are you doing right now?" came the voice from the other end of the call.Vicky's expression softened in delight. "I'm working," she said softly. "Are you done with your meeting?""Yup. Where do you want to go for lunch later?" Tyler replied."I don't know. Do you have anything you're craving for?""A new restaurant just opened near your studio. Let's go give it a try."Checking the time, Vicky noted that it was an hour away from lunch break. "Are you going to pick me up later?"Tyler was silent for a few seconds before answering, "I'm already outside your studio."Vicky was shocked. "What? You're already outside?""Yup."Vicky silently glanced at Harvey before looking at her phone again.Noting her silence,
Tyler looked at Harvey coldly. "I trust Vicky; I just don't trust the people around her. She's just too trusting for her good, so it falls to me to protect her from people with impure thoughts."Harvey's smile never faltered. "I'm curious, Mister Hart. Just what kind of impure thoughts are you talking about?""For example, feelings that one keeps deep inside his heart because he knew confessing them would bring trouble?" said Tyler while looking straight into his eyes.Harvey's eyes widened with shock.Sensing the tension in the air, Vicky hurriedly said, "Hey, aren't we going for lunch? You say you want to go check out the new restaurant, right?"Tyler glanced at Vicky's panicked expression and smiled. "Why don't you join us, Mister Sparks? It's not every day I get to bump into you."His invitation was so unexpected that it surprised both Vicky and Harvey. Vicky looked at Harvey, praying he would turn down the invitation."Don't mind if I do. After all, it's not every day I get
"I never expected the suave Mister Sparks to be a big baby who doesn't even know how to order his food." Tyler passed the menu to Vicky. "If that's the case, we should do our best to take care of this overgrown baby. Right, Vicky?"Harvey was not offended at all. "I might be a big baby who doesn't know how to order my own food, but it's better than someone who insists on keeping someone else tied to him every hour of the day. Even kindergarteners have some time away from their mommies. I pity Vicky; she can't seem to take a breather at all.""That's because the relationship between them is that of a mother and child, whereas Vicky and I are wife and husband. I pity the fool who can only do some passive-aggressive things to attract attention," remarked Tyler callously.Vicky was so worried they would end up fighting each other that she hurriedly cut in, "I'm just going to randomly order another two dishes since Harvey doesn't know what to get!"Functioning under the pressure, Vicky
"He was under someone else's hypnotic control? What does that mean?" asked Vicky, stunned.Jennifer's eyes reddened even more as she explained everything to Vicky."I sensed something was off with Anthony a long time ago. We grew up together, and he's never mistreated me before. But, he became like a different person whenever Lily was around; he'd always take her side unconditionally."Whenever I fought with Lily, Anthony would always make me apologize to her no matter who was wrong or right. His preferential treatment toward her was so obvious. But then I found out…"Jennifer balled her hands into fists and gritted her teeth, an expression rarely found on her beautiful face."Someone hypnotized Anthony when he was kidnapped, and Lily…was the mastermind all along."Vicky had heard this story from Jennifer before. Both Anthony and Lily were kidnapped when they were young. Their bond became stronger after they spent a few days together as hostages. One day, when the kidnapper decid
Jennifer wiped away her tears. "Anthony is so good to me when Lily's not around. Thus, even though I knew he'd forget me once Lily came back, I still can't help but have feelings for him…"Last time, after Anthony helped me and Cece leave the city, he told me his feelings for Lily weren't what everybody thinks it was. He doesn't love her, yet he'd be unable to control himself whenever he sees her in trouble."Jennifer's eyes dulled by then."I'd always forgive Anthony 'cause I can't bear to see him sad. That was, until that one time… We went to a yacht party, and he chose to save Lily instead of me when we both fell into the sea. I gave up on him after that, and I blocked him out of my life."But it wasn't long before I heard from my parents that Anthony decided to cut ties with his family because of Lily."My dad also said the Yavners are loyal people. Anthony's dad nearly went mad because of a woman, and it seemed like Anthony was following in his dad's footsteps."A new client
However, Jennifer's eyes dimmed swiftly."But Lily will never let me get close to Anthony now that she knows I've overheard what she said. Besides, it'll take some time to undo the hypnotization effect," she said with a frown. "He's been hypnotized since he was young, so I imagine it'd be very hard to undo it.""I did some research on hypnotization before," drawled Harvey. "It will be quite hard to undo the effects when he had been hypnotized for so long. In fact, I'd reckon it'd take at least a year or so if the hypnotist is a very good one. And there's one other thing…"Anthony won't be that easily hypnotized now as compared to when he was younger. What Lily is doing now is just driving in the message she planted in his head. In other words, she's not trying to plant new ideas. It'll be hard to undo the effects."Harvey looked at Jennifer. "I suggest you team up with Anthony's parents on this to have a higher chance of succeeding. Make sure he's not spending time with Lily while
Vicky continued, "My parents wanted to marry me off to another family to gain business favors. So, instead of letting them decide my life, I thought I'd be better off marrying—""Marrying someone you like?" interrupted Tyler.After a few seconds of silence, Vicky sighed and said, "No. Harvey was trying to chase Gloria at that time. I knew he didn't like me, nor would he ever. My family had a lot of business dealings with his family back then, so to cement their business relationship, my family and his family persistently tried to set up Harvey and Gloria together. However, Gloria put up a fierce struggle, and the two of them never ended up together."I went to find Harvey to put forth my proposal." Vicky glanced at Tyler. "By the way, did you decide to chase Gloria after finding out she turned down so many excellent men for you? Were you moved by her gesture?"Tyler was speechless. It would take them more than three days and three nights to talk about who wronged who if they insist
A familiar voice was heard from the voice recorder."Even though Tyler is using memory loss to cover his real problem, it won't be that hard for those who meant him harm to find out the truth soon enough. Plus, if word gets out about this, they'll find ways to test or trigger him, so it'll be easy to expose him."The alluring deep voice belonged to a man, and it took Tyler no time to recognize it as Harvey's.Next, came a woman's hesitant albeit familiar voice."How did you…" It sounded like she was unsure whether she should ask her question."The medicines you've asked me to look into," came Harvey's voice again. "I can't think of anyone other than Tyler using it.""You based your guess on this point alone?""Vicky, do you even know how long you've been accompanying him to work? No normal couple does that. Let me put this another way: Why did he suddenly need you to go to work with him when he didn't used to in the past?""So you were aware of what was happening all along.""
[Alright.]Aurora sighed in relief. "Vicky, we've been out for quite a while. Shall we head back?"Vicky glanced at Aurora. "Can we finally go back now?""Yes, we can go back... Huh?" Aurora sensed something was amiss. "Vicky, do you...know something?"Vicky smiled. "Every time I go out with friends, Tyler always bombards me with questions about when I'll be back and insists on picking me up. Strangely, he didn't ask me anything today. Also... I remember that it's my birthday today."Aurora was left speechless as she realized Vicky saw right through her act....By the time they got home, it was starting to get dark outside. Inside the mansion, it was quiet and pitch-black. Suddenly, a warm, yellow candlelight gradually illuminated the darkness, revealing a handsome face."Happy birthday, Vicky," Tyler said.Vicky gazed at the flickering candles, feeling a bit dazed.It was then she remembered that during the early days of their relationship, he had prepared a birthday surpri
Tyler showed great disdain when his wish of getting a daughter was let down. What irritated him most was that this son looked remarkably like him.After recovering from childbirth, Vicky accompanied a newly pregnant Aurora on a shopping trip for baby supplies.Upon hearing Vicky's story, Aurora could not help but ask, "Men are usually happy when they have sons, so why does Tyler prefer daughters?"Vicky sighed. "Tyler says that a family is never really balanced and happy unless they have one son and one daughter."Aurora nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed. Now that you have a son, having a daughter would be perfect. Vicky, have you and Tyler considered responding to the national call and having a third child?"Vicky shook her head. "The last time I gave birth, Tyler wasn't around, so he doesn't know what it was like. This time, he was scared out of his wits and had no intention of having more children. A few days ago, he even underwent a vasectomy."Aurora chuckled. "Daughters may be s
However, everything spiraled out of control.Tyler knew his behavior was despicable, but he could not control his emotions.When he loved, every cell within him longed for her. Every time he came to see her, he told himself it would be the last time. However, he found himself appearing at her house more and more frequently.Tyler knew he was in trouble, and it would not be long before he returned to his former self.Vicky was like a drug to him. Even though he knew that contact with her was toxic, he could not bring himself to let go.He knew she was pregnant with his child, and his most primal desires began to surge, making it impossible for him to resist the urge to make her stay.Vicky listened quietly to his confession, and her heart ached.She could not fight off the urge to hold him; her touch was firm and comforting.He only mentioned a few words about the time he regained consciousness, but Vicky knew he had endured a lot of pain. The fact that he was alive was a miracl
Tyler's lips quivered as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he fell silent.What was there to say? It was not like he could apologize. The deed had been done, and his apology would not mean anything. Besides, he had no regrets whatsoever.Vicky stared at him. "You tampered with the surveillance, didn't you?""Yes.""And the servants and nannies. They're all under your control, right?"Tyler lowered his gaze. "Yes."Since all of this was real and not a dream, she must have been unconscious when Tyler returned. No matter how soundly she slept, she should have felt something. Since she had to take care of Lufian, she came home every day for meals, so she guessed that something was added to her food.For the past few days, she pretended to eat at home while secretly disposing of her meals. As it turned out, her suspicions were correct.Vicky repeated the question she asked before. "Why didn't you come to me?"Tyler remained silent once again."Did you come here just t
"Are you planning to leave just like that?"The man's body tensed.Click! The desk lamp was turned on, its warm, amber light illuminating the darkness."Why won't you look at me? Are you brave enough to do it but not to admit it?" echoed Vicky's gentle voice.Tyler snapped out of it and instinctively pulled his hand away from hers, ready to escape, only for Vicky's next words to pin him in place."If you leave now, I'll get rid of the baby in me tomorrow."He swiftly froze in place and turned back to her. "What did you just say?"Even though she prepared herself mentally, seeing the shock on his face made Vicky's eyes widen in shock. In an instant, her eyes welled up with tears. "You..."As Tyler met the shock in her eyes, he came to a sudden realization and turned his face away, looking anywhere but at her.When she learned about her pregnancy and knew she had not been dreaming, Vicky had a hunch about who it was that came and went freely into her home. The only one capable o
Vicky began to feel increasingly uneasy. She was pregnant without even knowing who the father was. That had to be one of the most absurd jokes in the world.Aurora, Noah, and the others were bewildered.They knew Vicky's character well, and she was not the type to casually sleep around. Besides, she still had feelings for Tyler, so she would never sleep with another man.Getting drunk was even more out of the question. After all, she was either working or taking care of her child. She had neither the time nor the inclination to go out drinking.Even Vicky herself was bewildered, and her thoughts were in disarray. "I... I don't know."The others exchanged glances, all noticing that Vicky's first instinct was not to terminate the pregnancy."Vicky, go home and think it over carefully. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call us," Aurora said gently.Vicky nodded absently.Back at home, Vicky reviewed the surveillance footage once more.She had watched it numerous times, but
Just then, a dish that Vicky usually enjoyed was brought to the table by the waiter.The aroma filled the air, but Vicky paled instantly. Before anyone could react, she retched and rushed to the bathroom.Everyone exchanged puzzled glances.Cece blinked. "What's wrong with Vicky?"Jennifer furrowed her brow. "Vicky doesn't look well. Is she ill?"The concerned Aurora chimed in, "Ever since Tyler's disappearance, Vicky hasn't been in the best mood. She even suffered from postpartum depression. Let's take her to the hospital after dinner. We can't afford for her to fall ill again."Everyone assumed that something was physically wrong with Vicky, but Noah, who remained silent, spoke up."I remember when Vicky was pregnant last time... She seemed to be very sensitive to certain smells."All eyes turned to Noah.Jennifer's eyes widened. "What are you trying to say, Noah?! You don't mean to suggest that...Vicky might be pregnant, do you?"Under the curious gazes of everyone, Noah c
As Anthony and Jennifer grew up in Lovian, and their families had deep roots there, they had to stay at Lovian as well. However, whenever they had free time, Jennifer often returned to Stoneford City to meet her friends for gatherings and meals.Vicky's birthday was approaching in a few days, and Jennifer came back early for the occasion.Lufian, on the other hand, became the darling of the group, and everyone loved him. Thus, one of the highlights of visiting Zendonia was to see Lufian.On this day, Vicky had some free time and decided to go to the airport to fetch Jennifer.Harvey held Lufian and walked out of Vicky's mansion.He had also come back early to celebrate Vicky's birthday. Like everyone else, he adored Lufian. His priority the moment he returned was to see Lufian, even though Lufian resembled Tyler most uncannily.Harvey carried Lufian and settled into the back seat, preparing to bond with him during the ride. Vicky sat in the driver's seat.Just as they were about
"Lufian is usually very well-behaved. He doesn't cause a fuss and is easy to handle.""Is his name Lufian?""That's right. Lufian Hart."Gloria's gaze flickered briefly but quickly returned to normal. "Have you given him a nickname?""Not yet," Vicky replied.Gloria did not say anything further.After playing with the child for a while, she carefully placed the necklace she had prepared around Lufian's neck.The baby played for a while and soon fell asleep.Gloria then gently returned Lufian to his stroller.Leaving the nursery, Vicky and Gloria engaged in casual conversation. They had no deep-seated grudges, and over time, their past love and hatred gradually faded away.Vicky smiled and remarked, "You seem to really like children. How about having one yourself? A kid would make a good companion for Lufian.""I'd like to, but I haven't found the right person," Gloria lamented.Gloria had been single for years. It was not because she could not forget Tyler or was waiting fo