At the police station, Daniel met Leroy, who appeared despondent. The formerly vibrant and prominent journalist now sat in a disheveled state. In just a few days, he had lost weight, his cheeks looked deeply hollow, and his face bore the marks of sleepless nights, such as the dark circles under his eyes. When he saw Daniel, there was a flicker of hope in his eyes, which quickly dimmed."Mr. Quimby...""It's going to be okay," Daniel reassured him in a low voice. "The legal team of Quimby Group has stepped in to work on your case. They are currently negotiating, so you should be able to get released on bail.""Mr. Quimby, I am truly innocent!" Leroy covered his face and ran his hands through his hair. "I don't know what happened. I haven't logged into that email account, and during the period before the exam, I barely visited my office. I mostly stayed at home.""I've verified everything." Daniel's voice was deep, and his gaze was intense. "Leroy, do you know who did this to you?"
At the moment, he no longer wanted to hide anything, nor did it seem worth it."Mr. Quimby, there's something else... I'd like to come clean about."Daniel shifted slightly. He had anticipated this move from Leroy. Now that their mentor-mentee relationship was broken beyond repair, Leroy had no reason to protect Amanda any longer."During Amanda's tenure as the editor-in-chief of the Cumulus Morning Post, she accepted bribes multiple times. She facilitated false advertising for some shell companies and published fake news..."And these companies profited immensely from this deceitful promotion. Eventually, they fled with the money, leaving the creditors high and dry. Some people even lost everything and resorted to suicide."Daniel's brows were furrowed. "So, no one has held her accountable over all these years?""She was skilled in handling public relations, and she made sure not to leave any incriminating evidence after the deed. I am the only one who knows the details of these
"You..." Daniel's throat tightened. "What do you want to write about?""I don't know." Maisie smiled innocently, her soft hair nuzzling his chin. The sweet fragrance of her body wafted toward his nose.Daniel struggled to control himself, afraid to expose his feelings. He coughed discreetly to hide his embarrassment and gently pushed her away just a little, making sure not to give himself away."Well, if I do write a novel, I don't want to write about such a tragic story. I want to write about us," Maisie said, raising her head to look at him."About us?""Mm!" Maisie grinned innocently. "I want to include all the good things you've done for me.""What about the times I wasn't good to you?""When have you not been good to me?" Daniel felt a pang of guilt and hugged her."In the past…" he murmured. He had genuinely mistreated her in the past. He had treated her like a pet, summoning her whenever he pleased and disregarding her when he didn't.He had no idea how Maisie had man
"Ms. Reyes, you..." Amanda's eyes widened, and her mind was in complete disarray.In theory, her plan shouldn't have gone awry. Lily was Daniel's former wife, and she had feelings for Daniel, so she should despise Maisie. Besides, Amanda could have used her as a pawn to eliminate the thorn in her side without anyone suspecting her.How had everything changed?"Amanda." Lily smirked. "Stop thinking that everyone else is as naive as you are. Or should I say, as morally bankrupt as you are?""Ms. Reyes...""From the very beginning, you wanted to use me to get closer to Daniel! And while I was in the midst of a fierce battle with Maisie, you'd sit back and reap the benefits. Isn't that right?""No!" Amanda protested. "Ms. Reyes, please listen to my explanation. I genuinely had your best interests at heart.""I could hear you scheming all the way from abroad! You dare say you were never jealous of Maisie? You dare say you didn't want to destroy her?"Amanda was left dumbfounded, una
Just as Maisie had finished typing the last line on her computer and stretched with a satisfied grin, Daniel walked in.Maisie quickly closed her laptop and turned to him with a smile. "You're back early today. I... I'll go prepare something for you to eat!""No rush." Daniel took her hand and looked at her with doting affection.During their time back in Cumulus City, she seemed to have gained a bit of weight. She was no longer as slender as before, but she had a more curvaceous figure. Her complexion had also become rosier. Everything about her reignited the emotions deep within him.Maisie leaned against him, listening to his heartbeat and feeling his gradually warming body. A blush crept onto her cheeks.She gently pushed him away, but he embraced her. "Don't do this...""I understand." Despite feeling frustrated, he was willing to respect her boundaries. "I won't cross any boundaries without your consent."Maisie lowered her head and smiled, pinching his cheek. It was somet
"What's the matter?" "I... I want to take you to meet my mom."Daniel was taken aback."Aren't you planning to marry me? Shouldn't we meet each other’s parents before the wedding? My family background isn't great, and my mom can be a handful. I just want you to be prepared...""I want to marry you, not your family," Daniel said, holding Maisie's hand. "But it's only right that I meet them. It's a matter of respect."Daniel had mixed feelings about it. When the weekend came, he prepared a gift and went with Maisie to her family's home. Even though Maisie had given them a heads-up, the atmosphere became tense as soon as they walked in.Cindy and Nicole were initially surprised to see Daniel, and then they stood by the wall, all still and nervous. Their words and actions appeared quite restrained as they cast wary looks at him.Maisie was a little surprised. She had been worried the whole way about her mom's materialistic nature causing trouble, as she was prone to saying things s
"Oh, it's Mr. Quimby." Owen hastily wiped his hand across his clothes, smiling obsequiously. "I didn't expect... to meet you again. How have you been?"Daniel looked at the hand Owen extended, his expression darkening even further.Maisie gave Owen a pat and whispered, "Owen, what are you saying?"Owen chuckled and quickly corrected himself. "Oh, I misspoke... Heh, I've had a bit too much to drink, and my head's not very clear right now. Maisie, what's for lunch?"Maisie rolled her eyes at him, feeling annoyed."Daniel will have lunch at home today, so I'll go help Mom and Nicole.""Alright, alright!" Owen hastily ushered her toward the kitchen. "Then you go ahead. Make some pork ribs for me! I've been working too hard lately, so I need some nourishment!""You..." Maisie glared at him, concerned he might say something inappropriate."Don't worry!" Owen snickered and whispered, "I'll step outside for a smoke. I promise not to speak with your Mr. Quimby. Is that okay?"Maisie gl
"Mr... Mr. Quimby." Owen bit his lip, his twisted smile growing even more sinister. "Do you still remember that child?"Do you know... where that child was buried?""You..." Daniel clenched his teeth, glaring at him.Owen smirked. He knew that poking this sore spot would hurt the most. "Back then, Maisie was already five months pregnant. You are the one who almost forced her to the brink of death! It was a live abortion of a five-month-old fetus!""It wasn't me!" Daniel's voice grew deeper, his temples pulsing as he emphasized each word. "I didn't force her!""So, was it just an accident? Are you saying it had nothing to do with you?"Daniel moved his lips, but he couldn't say a word. Back when Maisie had been pregnant, he had been cold because he had wanted her to abort the child quickly. Later, Maisie had insisted on keeping the baby, eventually managing to escape from him. She had lived incognito in a harsh environment, struggling to nurture the fetus for five months. Everythi