One day, just as Vicky was about to leave work, Aurora called and invited her to dinner.The two of them often had dinner together, so Vicky did not think much of it and headed to the designated restaurant.The restaurant was the hottest upscale Western restaurant in Stoneford City, and it was always fully booked, requiring reservations several days in advance to secure a spot. Vicky had been there a few times before, and the food was indeed excellent. Nonetheless, getting a reservation was quite the feat.As she entered the restaurant, Aurora, sitting by the window, waved at her. "Vicky, over here!"Vicky walked over and noticed that a young, handsome man was seated with Aurora. He looked somewhat familiar, but Vicky could not recall where she might have seen him before."Aurora, who is this?" Vicky began."Gilbert Dyer, my senior back in acting school." Aurora introduced them. "Gilbert, this is my good friend, Vicky."As Gilbert's eyes landed on Vicky, they brightened for a mo
The world of entertainment had transformed over the years, no longer fixated on garnering attention through fabricated news and stunts.The newer generation of audiences focused more on idols' work rather than sensationalism. The mindless fandom-driven star-chasing had given way to a more rational fan culture.Fans had become more sensible, and the public was more accepting of celebrities dating. As long as their work quality was good, they were considered dedicated professionals, and their personal character was held up. Fans were supportive even when stars got married and started families.Vicky realized that this dinner was probably a blind date setup. She did not say much and instead engaged in light-hearted conversation with Gilbert as if they were friends.At this moment, Aurora interjected, "Vicky, isn't your studio looking for a male celebrity to endorse men's clothing recently? What do you think of Gilbert?"Vicky's studio had evolved from its early days of focusing solel
Vicky's eyes widened, and she swiftly lifted her head.A handsome and refined face came into her view, and she instantly paled. Memories of past humiliation flooded her mind.She took several steps back, not wanting to look at Tyler, and turned to leave. Alas, he caught her wrist."Playing hard to get again?" Tyler mused, his voice deep.As he spoke, Tyler deliberately lowered his head, his lips grazing her earlobe to plant a gentle kiss.Vicky tensed, and she reflexively pushed him away. However, he did not budge and effortlessly pinned her against the wall instead.Her voice trembled as Vicky said, "Tyler Hart, have you lost your mind?!"Tyler lowered his gaze and met her eyes, raising his brow as he did. "When you led me into bed, you didn't seem this afraid. What's different today?"Vicky had not anticipated that Tyler would dare to make such a move in public, and her heart raced with anxiety. She placed her hands on his chest in the vain hope that this would deter him from
Vicky clenched her fists and bravely replied, "I told you that I tore up that check.""Ms. Shaw, you don't want to return the check and are unwilling to fulfill the agreement. Are you trying to scam me?""The check is gone. How do you expect me to give it back to you?"Tyler's voice remained casual. "That's not something I should be concerned about."Vicky closed her eyes briefly, finally admitting defeat. "If you're worried I might withdraw the funds, you can freeze the account.""Freezing the account means I won't have access to the funds when I need them. Are you going to take responsibility for any losses the company might incur?"Vicky snapped. "Tyler, what exactly do you want?""Either you fulfill the agreement, or...you return that check to me.""You accuse me of trying to scam you, but aren't you doing the same?" Vicky laughed. "I tore up that check, so I can't withdraw any money. You, on the other hand, want me to fulfill his so-called agreement... Who's the scammer he
Tyler did not care and said, "I don't like sharing women with others, so you can't be with another man while you're with me.""I didn't agree to your proposal." Vicky stared coldly at him. "If you don't like sharing women, you should've checked if I have a boyfriend.""Boyfriend?""What? Did you not think that I'd have a boyfriend?""Are you talking about that actor?"'Actor? Is he talking about Gilbert?' She did not deny nor admit it. "It's none of your business."Tyler's unwavering gaze scanned her before he said, "Break up with him."Vicky sneered. "And I'm just supposed to do as you say? Who do you think you are?""That's right. You can only do as I say."Tyler's handsome face remained cool and aloof, his tone detached but laced with undeniable arrogance.Anger overtook Vicky, and she trembled. "What if I don't agree to break up?""With my current status, dealing with a celebrity merely requires a simple order. There's no need for me to personally intervene." Tyler lower
Tyler glanced at Avery and asked, "Aren't we going to eat?"Avery wanted to confront him but cowered in the face of his cold, striking eyes. She forced a smile and said, "Let's eat."After dinner, Tyler played the role of the perfect fiance and sent her home.When they reached her place, Tyler was about to drive away when Avery stopped him. "Tyler, are you still suffering from amnesia lately?""I'm better now.""The aromatherapy I gave you is almost finished, right?" She stared into his eyes and said, "Why don't you come upstairs and take some more with you?""Sure," Tyler replied.Avery sighed a breath of relief and smiled. "Let's go up, then."...Opening the door to the room, Avery turned on all the lights. "Tyler, please have a seat. I'll get you a glass of water."Tyler settled on the couch, not bothering to take in the decor or surroundings, instead closing his eyes to rest. Before long, the fragrant aroma of tea wafted in the air.Avery approached with a cup of freshl
"She feels so much like someone..."Avery inquired, "Like who?"Tyler shook his head. "I'm not sure, but I just have this feeling, like I've forgotten something.""Forgotten something?" Avery's breathing became more erratic. "Tyler, why do you feel this way?""I've noticed that my memories are somewhat disjointed. I can sometimes catch glimpses of bits and pieces, but I can't quite recall them."Avery's breaths quickened.Tyler's reaction indicated that the memories suppressed by the hypnosis were starting to loosen. Being physically close to Vicky caused him to remember some fragments, but it was uncertain what those memories truly entailed.'No, this can't persist!' she thought."I heard from Grandfather that you were involved in a car accident before... Could that be the reason behind your forgotten memories?"Tyler pondered for a moment. "The memories of the accident are indeed fuzzy.""Tyler, I specialize in this field. If you feel your memory is compromised, why not let
The next day, in the Hart Corporation office.Adam stared at Tyler dazedly and asked in disbelief, "What did you just say, Mister Hart?"Tyler frowned at the confused look on Adam's face and repeated himself, "Hand these three projects over to the Yeagers.""You want to head these over to the Yeagers?" Adam asked.His patience running thin, Tyler questioned, "Just how many times do you need me to repeat myself?""But you've refused to let the Yeagers get involved to prevent them from controlling you. These three projects are the most important projects for Hart Corporation this year, and if you wish to help the Yeagers out, you could've simply handed them one project. If you hand them all three projects and they mess up, Hart Corporation will be doomed..."A cold expression emerged on Tyler's face. "Adam, your job is to heed my order. If you can't even do that, you might as well exchange positions with Harry. After all, he's been transferred away for quite some time, and it may b
[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