It seemed that no matter what happened, she could always plan the next step without changing her expression.After she learned that Duke was dead, should she not cry in pain and be extremely sad? How could she still think of making a deal with him?“What’s the deal?” he asked nonchalantly.“I can keep your secret, but you have to tell me where you sent Duke,” Adina firmly said as she stared at him.No matter what, she did not believe that Duke was dead.When Earl heard her request, his expression instantly turned cold.Duke! Duke again!This woman could pretend to be polite toward him for so many days for Duke!This woman could even keep this secret for Duke!Did she love Duke that much?Earl raised his hand and grabbed Adina’s chin. “Am I not in front of you now?” he asked in a persistent but menacing manner.Adina squinted. “Is it interesting to continue pretending?”“I’m genuinely Duke Winters. Unless you can find any evidence to prove that I’m not Duke Winters, you soun
“Addy, aren’t you in the hospital? Why are you back so suddenly?”Mabel changed her shoes and greeted Adina while holding her hand, like usual. She was startled when she touched her hand. “Why are your hands so cold? You need more layers. Don’t get sick. Come, let’s go upstairs and get you a coat.” Adina pulled her hand away. The bright lights in the living room shone on her face. Her indifferent gaze, bloodshot eyes, and the sneer at the corner of her mouth were clearly visible.Mabel finally sensed something was not right. She put down her handbag, and said with a heavy sigh, “Addy, what happened?”“You already know it, don’t you?” asked Adina.Mabel’s expression changed instantly when she heard what Adina said. She clenched her fists as she asked calmly, “What do you mean? I already know what?”“Your twin sons. Both of them are dear to you. I neither understand why you sent the eldest son away nor why you helped him kill your second son after two decades…” Adina’s smile t
‘Earl Winters killed my newlywed husband. I must get justice!’“Addy, listen to me, don’t act rashly!” Mabel grabbed her wrist again. “Duke is no more. He’s gone. If the public finds out about his death, the children will be fatherless. The Winters Corporation will lose its mainstay, and the Winters family’s honor will go downhill. From then on, no one will protect you and your children. Do you… want things to end this way?“Earl has been living in the shadows for the past two decades. He truly appreciated being able to live in the spotlight. He promised me that he will take good care of you and the children. He will be a good father.” Mabel pleaded, “Addy, please pretend Earl is Duke. Try to love him. It’s good enough if you can stay with him and protect the children together. Adina, please…”Adina harshly shook herself free from Mabel’s grip. She said clearly, “I will not pretend as if nothing has happened just to make life easier. If the children find out about this, they will
Alden and George looked at each other. Both of them had solemn expressions. Even the simple-minded Harold could sense something was off. He scratched the back of his head and said, “Why do I feel like something was not right with Mommy?”George pursed his lips and whispered, “Al, do you think Mommy was lying?”Alden nodded solemnly. ‘I remembered when I was young, Mommy was so haggard when Melody was sick and hospitalized, but at least her gaze was calm and clear.’ However, just now, Mommy’s eyes were bloodshot, making his heart skip a beat. ‘Based on how well I know Mommy, something big might have happened this time.’He said coldly, “I need to get back to Sea City early.”‘No matter what, I need to be by Mommy’s side and tide over the difficulties with her.’“Me too.” Harold followed him and said, “I’ve been having nightmares recently. I dreamt that something happened to Daddy and Mommy. I’ll only feel at ease when I’m with them.”Melody blinked her misty eyes, asked, a
‘The four children would not sit still once they found out something happened to Addy. ‘If I force them to stay, they might go behind my back and escape from me.‘Rather than that, it’s better if I…’“I’ll go back to Sea City with you, then.” Flint shrugged helplessly. “Have a good rest tonight. We will board the plane tomorrow morning to return to Sea City.” As soon as he finished speaking, his phone vibrated in his pocket.He glanced at the caller ID. It was his father.His expression instantly changed. ‘If my father takes me back now, who will protect these children…?’Flint frowned as he walked to the balcony and picked up the call. “Dad, I’m busy. Once I’m done, I’ll go home. Bye…”“Flinny.” A serious voice interrupted him just as he was about to hang up, “I heard that you know someone from the underworld?”“What? No!” Flint denied it without hesitation. “I come from a good family and am the heir of Morton’s family. Why would I get tangled with them? Dad, even though
Deep into the night, Adina sat on the balcony, holding the diamond ring tightly in her hand.‘This is the ring Duke put on my finger when I got married that day. Luckily, I didn’t throw it into the trash can on impulse.’‘The sea blue ring has become the only thing that I can remember Duke with.‘Where’s the ring that I gave him?’Adina was sobbing really hard. She looked bleak and pitiful under the moonlight. She had never been a crybaby, and she seldom cried in the past four years, but today, she had burst into tears three and four times.Even though her eyes were no longer bloodshot, tears were still streaming down her face. For the first time in her life, she was lost. She did not know what to do next. ‘If I don’t still have to look out for my four children, I would definitely bring the evil Earl down with me… ‘But they are my Achilles heels. They are the soft spots that I have embraced wholeheartedly… ‘Whenever I think about them, I feel as if my heart has been stab
Adina turned her body sideways and asked calmly, “Are you free to talk?”“What leverage can you use to negotiate with me?” Earl sneered. “Forget about using my identity. Let me warn you again: if my identity is exposed, the psychologist will be the first to die. And… the least obedient among the four children will be next in line.” Adina clenched her fist. She almost threw it at him. Threatening her with her children was a quick way to break her composure. ‘Luckily, I’ve sent them overseas. I don’t have to worry about them.’She took a deep breath. “It’s precisely because I don’t have leverage that I want to talk to you. You don’t want to have a ticking time bomb living in the house, do you?”Earl took a glance at Adina, strode into the bedroom, and sat down on the bed.He crossed his legs, looking like a gangster. Before this, he had been forced to learn how Duke acted. However, now that his identity has been exposed, he has become even more comfortable. He took out an
Earl took a glance at Adina’s back. ‘Ever since I was born, I have remained in the shadows. The one thing that I yearned the most is light. ‘I want to be the chairman of Winters Corporation, not its shares or assets… ‘If I’m able to make her trust me more just by transferring some shares, it will be a good deal…’ “If you were to be compliant and play your part as Mdm. Winters, you would profit from it as well.” Earl smiled and said coldly, “I’ll have my assistant transfer the shares to your name. Are you happy now?”Adina clenched her fist and slowly relaxed. She pursed her lips and said, “This has nothing to do with my happiness. I only did this for you to have a clear conscience. You must give what you owe Duke to the children as compensation.”After she finished speaking, she turned and headed straight to the washroom indifferently.Earl’s gaze turned cold again.‘So, she’s not doing it for the children, but does not want Duke to lose out?‘Hmph! Why is she still concer