Tyler grabbed Vicky's wrists. "Vicky Shaw, do you know anything else other than how to seduce men?"Vicky froze and looked up to find contempt and disgust in his eyes. "But you said—""What did I say?" he coldly interjected.She turned pale when she recalled that he did not say anything in specific, and she dug her own grave in response to a few words he said."Honestly, I've grown tired of your body." He pushed her away in disgust. "Looks like you've lost the only leverage you ever had."With that, he turned to leave, and Vicky remained frozen in place in the dark room....Once the rainstorm passed, Tyler left on the helicopter, leaving Vicky on the ship on her own.She knew that she had not been forgotten but was abandoned.A day and a night later, Vicky returned to Stoneford City. She was not restrained, and Tyler's men left after seeing her off the ship.Tyler did not seem concerned that she would escape or simply grew tired of her repeated attempts of running away. Stil
"In any case, you were kidnapped because of me...so I'm supposed to apologize to you," Vicky said hoarsely."You don't have to force yourself to do so," Gloria said. "Tyler told me you had nothing to do with this.""But you don't believe him, right?"After a few moments of silence, Gloria said, "Tyler looked into it and found no record of contact between you and Alex before he returned, so you couldn't have made him do anything. Alex Torres did all that on his own..." She paused and turned to look at Vicky. "You thought that Tyler would believe whatever I said, is that it?" She chuckled. "Despite being married to him for so long, you still don't know him any better than I do.""What happened in the past?" Vicky asked."Tyler made it quite clear," Gloria said. "Did you think that I'd lie to you in front of him?""I can tell that you're still in love with him. The truth about the misunderstanding back then came out, so why didn't you two end up together?""Why?" Gloria narrowed he
After a few moments of silence, Gloria said, "Vicky came by today.""What was she doing here?""To apologize, and to beg for mercy in Alex's place."The look in Tyler's eyes darkened.Gloria studied his face. "Tyler, are you holding Alex prisoner?""Yes.""Is he..." she muttered hesitantly. "How is he now?""Alive for now."Her heart sank and she thought, 'Alive for now? Will anything happen to him?'"Tyler," Gloria whispered. "I've known Alex since we were kids. He might be a hothead, but he's not a bad man. Maybe he just wasn't thinking when he did all that. I'm fine now, so why don't you just let him go since he has been punished accordingly?""Don't worry about Alex. I will handle it," replied Tyler."Tyler, can't you just leave it?""You should be resting," he said and turned to leave."Tyler!" Gloria raised her voice. "Are you this reluctant to set Alex free because he kidnapped me, or because he...took Vicky and left?""What are you trying to say?""If it's for my
After the recording, silence fell over the room."Tyler, Vicky stabbed you in the chest before, and now, she agreed to my unreasonable request for Alex's sake... I know I shouldn't say this, but you should know that she's never loved you. If she cares about you even for just a little, why would she leave you when you hit rock bottom all those years ago? You heard what she said, and so did I."The look in Tyler's eyes darkened.Gloria studied the man before her and continued, "Tyler, I know that you feel like you owe me for what happened, and you've been doing whatever you can to make it up to me ever since I came home, but I know that you've suffered far more than I have. You mentioned that you'd make a wish of mine come true back then, didn't you? My one and only wish is for you to divorce Vicky."...As soon as Tyler left, Selene hurried into the room."Good job, Gloria!" She walked over to the bed, beaming. "You should've done that a long time ago. You were always so worried a
Selene stared at Gloria. "I know that you're not that kind of person, but you need to understand that when a man gets hurt in a romantic relationship once, it's hard for him to start anew with someone else. Gloria, you can't expect Tyler to treat you the same way he did with Vicky... I know that it's not fair, but you know that a man's first love can't be replaced. If he fell in love with you first, you'd have that special place in his heart as well. He has his guard up right now after failing in his first relationship... That's the time when a man needs to be cared for by another woman."Isn't that the reason why you didn't agree to go out with him when he pursued you back then? Time has changed, and four whole years stood between the two of you. If you expect him to pursue you or treat you like he did Vicky... Gloria, I'm certain that it'll never happen until you get him to open up to you."Gloria froze for a long while before reaching out to grab Selene's hand. "Selene, you are ri
"Is it because…you don't want to see how much Vicky…cares about me? Tyler, do you think I don't know about…that little thought in your mind? Other people might not figure it out…but not me… I know everything about it. You're a lunatic… A twisted, cynical pervert. Vicky likes a righteous and just man… Knowing who you truly are…she'll never ever like you again…" hissed Alex, despite being choked.When Alex was nearly out of his breath and suffocated, Tyler finally let go.Tyler was back to his usual distant, indifferent self."Ugh… Ack, ack!" Alex breathed in heavily.Tyler looked down at Alex condescendingly. In his fitted formal suit, he looked utterly prestigious and supreme. What a big difference when compared to Alex, who had been tortured and who was in bad shape.After Alex was able to breathe normally, Alex looked at Tyler's handsome, cold face. "Why did you stop? You want to kill me, don't you? Don't tell me you're afraid!"There was no expression on Tyler's face. He remai
In the past, Alex did not understand why her feelings for Tyler were so deep. However, he understood entirely after having kidnapped Gloria.Alex looked at Tyler in devastation."D*mn it! It was you!"Vicky had a boyfriend when she was studying abroad, and he knew about it. It was not a secret because she told him earlier and even wanted Alex to meet her 'boyfriend' at the time.Since he had a crush on Vicky all the while, he refused to meet his love rival and thus stalled her.Of course, he knew Vicky was devastated by her breakup. In the spur of the moment, he bought a bouquet to confess his love to Vicky. Vicky did not embarrass him in public because they were childhood friends, yet she cleared the confusion with him afterward.Ever since then, Vicky never mentioned her boyfriend.It turned out the man in front of him was Vicky's first boyfriend all along.Tyler looked at Alex coldly. "I was just wondering how to torment Vicky…yet here you are, showing yourself at my doorste
On the day of the party, Vicky arrived punctually.The venue was full of people conversing with one another.Vicky roamed around the well-dressed guests. She had no idea why Gloria asked her to join the party, but it had been a long time since she last saw Tyler. It would be worth it if she could see Tyler here.After walking around the venue, she did not find either Tyler or Gloria. Guessing they might not arrive yet, she found a quiet corner and waited patiently.About 10 minutes or so later, an uproar occurred at the entrance. Sensing something, Vicky looked in that direction.A tall, lean man walked in with a young, beautiful lady. The man wore an entirely black suit that emphasized his lean and muscular body, giving him an undeniable gentlemanly aura.The lady beside him had a very pretty and classical look. Dressed up in a moon-white color gown, she looked like a goddess from heaven.In this era where everyone could look beautiful with makeup and plastic surgery, the lady'
[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