"Yeah." The maid nodded. "Mister Tyler searched the entire mansion and didn't find you anywhere, so his attention will be drawn elsewhere.""Do Mister and Missus Hart plan on killing me?""They want to but are both hesitant about it. Right now, they don't want to worsen their conflicts with Mister Tyler. If they kill you and Mister Tyler finds out, he might not stop at severing all ties with the Hart Family... Who knows what cruelty he'll be capable of?"Vicky frowned and wanted to argue but decided against it in the end."I can't stay here for too long. If Missus Hart finds out that I'm a spy, I can only imagine what'll happen to me," the maid continued. "She doesn't want Mister Tyler to find out about any of this, so no one is allowed to get out of the mansion. All communication devices have been confiscated, so I can't seek help from the outside world for you."She glanced at her watch and sped up her speech. "The most dangerous place is often the safest as well. You've been tr
"Tyler, I agree to leave with you... I like the ocean, so let's settle down somewhere near the ocean, okay?""Can you remove my cuffs? I want to design our home.""How does this design look? Do you want to make any amendments?"Vicky put up a great act and appeared to be dreaming of their future together, so Tyler eventually started envisioning their lives together as well.He had always been composed and realistic, so he was never one to fantasize about the future.He let his guard down and found himself drowning in the idealistic picture she painted for their future, only to find out that everything was merely an act.She escaped when he went outside and came close to truly getting away.He was furious like he never was before, in a way that he had never felt even when he was tortured by his mother.When Tyler caught her once again, Vicky stared at him with despair in her eyes."Why does it have to be me? Why?"Tyler never asked why things were the way they were and had not
The night was as dark as ink when the door to the mansion flew open.Before the guards had time to react, they were all restrained by the intruders.Tyler glanced at Harry and ordered, "Gather everyone in the mansion. Quickly."Harry instantly realized that Tyler wanted to prevent anyone from leaving through the secret passages.Everyone who worked for Tyler was professional and quick on their feet. Soon, every person in the mansion was gathered in one place and guarded.Orion and Valencia, who were informed about the intrusion, hurried over."Tyler, how dare you barge into your parent's house in the middle of the night like this?!" Orion questioned furiously.Tyler shot them a cold look. "I'll ask you one more time: Where is Vicky?"Orion and Valencia both guessed why Tyler was there and managed to keep their composure.Valencia frowned. "How would we know where she is? You didn't believe us and searched the mansion once before, didn't you? What do you want now?""I think yo
There were secret passages in the mansion, so none of them understood why the maid was found.Before Orion and Valencia could comprehend the situation, Tyler was already standing before the maid."Everyone was gathered in the yard, so where were you going?" he asked.The maid kneeled on the ground, panicking. "I... I...""Speak up." Tyler narrowed his eyes sharply.The maid trembled under his glare and glanced at Orion and Valencia for help.Tyler instantly caught onto the look she directed at the couple and glanced at Harry, who immediately stepped forward to stop the maid from looking at Orion and Valencia."Miss, you should know that you're in Zendonia, as well as who it is that rules over this land." Harry's voice was soft but steady, so everyone could hear him. "Missus Hart has gone missing right now, and if Mister Hart finds out that someone knows Missus Hart's whereabouts yet fails to report it...do you really need me to spell out the consequences for you? Naturally, if y
Vicky stopped and glanced around before spotting the elegant ladies sitting under the pavilion in the distance.Vicky stepped over and the ladies immediately stopped chatting to stare at her in contempt.One of the women said, "Are you Vicky Shaw?"Vicky looked at her. "Yes. And you are?"The woman lifted her chin with a prideful look on her beautiful face. "I'm Tyler's mother."Vicky jolted in shock.Tyler rarely mentioned his parents, and all Vicky knew was that his relationship with them was astringed. She also knew that the status of the Harts had been falling in recent years.Sensing her confusion, Valencia said, "I'm Tyler's biological mother. The couple you're probably thinking of is merely his adoptive parents."Vicky was shocked for a few moments but soon accepted it.'It's no wonder that Tyler isn't close with his parents. So they aren't related after all,' Vicky thought, feeling happy for Tyler as she thought that this was Tyler's chance of being loved by his true f
Vicky's status was not considered low, but compared to the Hart family, the difference was indeed immense. Even with the support of her family, she was hardly worthy of being wed to the likes of Tyler.During that time, Tyler was busy resolving his company's crisis, so they rarely saw each other.As a result, Vicky was constantly invited by Missus Hart to accompany her, under the guise of teaching Vicky proper manners and etiquette. In reality, she did not learn much about etiquette, and Missus Hart simply took her to numerous banquets and social gatherings.At first, Vicky thought Missus Hart wanted to broaden her horizons, but as she faced more and more ridicule and gossip, Vicky finally realized the truth.Missus Hart was a force to be reckoned with and managed to hide her true intention all along. Despite all the difficulties, mockery, and grievances, Vicky did not admit defeat. She silently endured and kept herself from mentioning any of the events to Tyler."Vicky. Vicky..."
Orion glanced at the servant and said, "Tyler, your mother and I had no idea why she'd say something like that. Besides, she's brought from the Harts' old mansion…so who knows, she might be a spy sent by another relative to drive a wedge between us."Although Vicky was found here, the words of a servant alone were not enough evidence to pin the crime on them. What could Tyler do to them as long as they denied, denied, denied it repeatedly? No matter what, they were his biological parents, which meant they could do no wrong.There was nothing Tyler could do even if they killed Vicky. If he did, he would be labeled as 'the unfilial and ungrateful son' for the rest of his life.Tyler narrowed his eyes, which were overflowing with coldness. He was about to say something when he felt someone tugging on his arm. He turned around just in time for Vicky to pass out gently into his arms.Tyler drew his lips into a thin line and lifted Vicky. Then, he took one glance at Orion and Valencia be
Vicky looked up at Tyler and answered, "Because…I'm your wife?"Tyler laughed. "Wrong. It's because I'm still useful to them.""How are you still useful to them?" asked Vicky with a puzzled expression on her face."I can help their adopted son to successfully get the position of being the heir to the entire Hart family's fortune."Vicky was a little taken aback. "They want you to help him? But aren't you their real kid…?""So what?" Tyler asked back indifferently.Vicky fell silent.Tyler was right—what did it matter that he was their biological child? He had long been labeled as the 'rebellious one', and it was all because of her. If she was not in his life, he would not have been hated by his parents nor would he have to suffer through so much torture.This new knowledge made Vicky feel as if a giant boulder was pressing against her chest and making it hard for her to breathe.Since Vicky did not continue the conversation, neither did Tyler.Vicky—who on account of being lo
[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