Although Avery understood Tyler's personality, the fact that he did not ask more left her disappointed.Ever since the annulment of their engagement, Avery grew increasingly uneasy. Despite having numerous means at her disposal to manipulate Tyler, she still felt restless.Avery mulled over her thoughts and eventually attributed this unease to the fact she had never been intimate with Tyler.The thought that Vicky slept with Tyler filled Avery with jealousy. However, she was the one who cheated first, and she dared not to confront Tyler.It seemed things were spiraling in an unfavorable direction, and Avery made up her mind that she could not wait any longer. She had to secure Tyler with whatever means necessary.Raising her glass, Avery softly said, "A toast to you, Tyler."Tyler lifted his glass and lightly clinked it with hers.As he drank, a glint of determination flashed in Avery's eyes.In the dimly lit room, Tyler's face seemed even more radiant. Avery's gaze was fixed o
Tyler was gone by the time Avery woke up the next day. She gave herself a few seconds to feel disappointed before picking up her phone and dialing the number she memorized by heart. The phone beeped three times before Tyler picked up."Hey, Avery," greeted Tyler coldly, chilling her to the heart. How he treated her today was far different than how he treated her last night! She could not help but feel hot and bothered by the contrast."Where are you?" she asked softly."In my office," replied Tyler in the same cold tone. "Something happened in the company, so I need to handle it."As upset as she was about Tyler leaving for work without letting her know, she told herself that she should be grateful that they made some progress in their relationship last night."Alright. I won't keep you, then. By the way, are you free tonight? Do you want to have dinner together?"After a brief silence, Tyler answered, "Sorry. I don't have the time to spare.""That's okay. Bye, then," said Avery
Vicky nodded.Cece looked at her and said in a low voice, "Vicky, Avery is here too.""Avery?" repeated Vicky, surprised."Yes. She arrived not long ago. She says she wants to see you and won't leave no matter how many times I tell her you're not here. She said she'll wait until you come."After thinking it over, Vicky said, "Show me to her."…Avery sat gracefully and played with her manicured nails in the meeting room.Vicky pushed open the door and walked over to her. She looked at Avery, who smiled smugly at her the moment she walked in."Miss Avery, I heard you were looking for me. How can I help you?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.She wondered why Avery did not just call her if she wanted to talk to her. After all, it was more convenient than making the effort to come to her studio."I heard your business is booming, so I thought I'd see for myself," said Avery languidly. She glanced at Vicky before continuing, "You don't mind, do you, Miss Vicky?""Forgive me, but
Avery scoffed. "You're in no position to judge me since that's how you manage to climb into Tyler's bed, too. Plus, I've met too many bitter women like you.""That's where you're wrong, Miss Avery.""Huh? How am I wrong?"Vicky smiled gently. "You're the bitter woman here because I was the one who didn't want Tyler. In a way, you're using my hand-me-downs."Avery's expression froze. She suddenly stood up and pointed rudely at Vicky."I warn you, Vicky Shaw! I'll make sure you won't ever make a living in Zendonia ever again if you don't stop pestering Tyler. Have you forgotten what happened after people found out you're his mistress? Tyler knew I tipped off the reporters. Not only did he not blame me, but he didn't even question me about it!"Avery smiled sinisterly. "You're nothing but a booty call to him! Don't think you're special to him just because you slept with him a few times. Stay away from him, or I'll give you a fate worse than death!"Vicky stood up, too. She was a li
"I slept quite well, thanks," answered Vicky in a tone colder than usual.For the past few days, she had been treating Tyler cautiously so he would not trouble Harvey.Tyler narrowed his eyes at Vicky's back.For some reason, Vicky had been constantly feeling exhausted. She still had some work to finish, but she found herself unwilling to get up from the sofa after changing her clothes.Tyler pushed open the door and walked into her room. Knowing it was him, Vicky did not even spare him a glance.She felt him looking down at him a minute later, so she opened her eyes, but it was too late."Did you miss me?" he asked while kissing her.Vicky turned her face away in disgust. "Mister Hart, we see each other every day. Why would I miss you?""You're right. But didn't you miss me when I didn't come home last night?" he asked again.Vicky breathed in his familiar scent. Usually, she would be able to stomach it, but for some reason, she could not help but feel like puking.All she c
Vicky had asked Cece about Harvey's condition this morning at work, and she learned that Harvey's recovery was promising. There was no mention of him having been discharged from the hospital at all.Vicky met Tyler's gaze and asked hesitantly, "When was he discharged?""This morning."Vicky fell silent. 'This morning? He should stay in the hospital for monitoring since he just woke up, so why did he leave? Is it because he found out about what happened at the blood bank and he wanted to save me from being blackmailed by Tyler?'"What's the matter? Are you feeling sorry for him?" asked Tyler.Vicky did not want to answer him.She walked past him emotionlessly, but she did not get far as Tyler suddenly grabbed her by the wrist and pinned her against the cold wall. He pressed his body against hers, leaving her no room to escape."The only reason I kept you by my side is to have fun with you." Tyler's cold lips brushed against her face, causing chills to run up her body. "But you're
Vicky thought Tyler would leave her alone since he knew she was having her period. However, he still came every day after that, which disturbed her.To Vicky, being a kept woman was like being friends with benefits. He would sleep with her when he felt like it, and when he did not, he would leave her alone.Thus, she did not expect him to go to her every day like clockwork as though they were a real couple."Why aren't you eating?" came Tyler's clear voice from across the table. "Is the food not to your liking?"Vicky snapped back to the present and looked at him. It seemed like he was not that busy at work these few days since he would leave quite late in the morning and come home every evening at six in the evening. The two of them even got to eat dinner every night."The food's fine. I was just thinking about work," she answered.Tyler left it at that and instead told her, "I have an event I need to go to tomorrow night, and you're coming with me."His tone left no room for r
Vicky knew nothing could stop Tyler, not even if the earth was to blow up, when he got into one of his moods.She turned her face away and said quickly, "Just let me turn off my computer, and I'll go to the room after that."Tyler finally let her go. "You have five minutes."Vicky nodded.Only then did Tyler leave her study.Vicky took a deep breath. She finally understood why Tyler insisted on keeping her as his mistress: It was so he could satisfy his perverted desire to control her.…The next evening, Vicky wore the gown Tyler prepared for her to the party. At first, she thought it was just some run-of-the-mill party, but she realized it was Old Mister Hart's birthday party when they finally arrived.It had been a long time since she had any contact with the Hart family, so she did not know how Old Mister Hart was doing then. At that moment, she stood at the main door and fell into a daze as she saw one familiar face after another. It was as though she had traveled back to
[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