The moment Delilah settled on the couch, Jodie's gaze toward her underwent a transformation. A cold stare replaced the previous warmth.Jodie had been subjected to her cruelty since childhood.Before discovering her true identity, Jodie naively believed her mother harbored no love for her. In pursuit of that elusive affection, she went to great lengths.It wasn't until she crossed paths with Cindy, Owen, and Nicole that the revelation about her true parentage unfolded. Delilah was not her mother.From that point on, Jodie's character took a dark turn. She became willing to do anything to secure Wilfred's love and the coveted status of being the cherished Newhouse heiress.Jodie would go so far as to take a life if Delilah commanded it. She was ready to obey every whim.Her existence felt like a precarious balancing act on a knife's edge. Each step brought agony.To cope, she redirected her frustrations onto Harvey whenever she felt upset. A model child in her parents' presence,
Jodie reminisced about the two decades she had spent living. Each step felt like a precarious tightrope walk, where any misstep could plunge her into a bottomless abyss.Cindy had informed her that her biological father served as the driver for the Ropers. -Back then.Delilah caused a fatal car accident, resulting in Anya's death. Surprisingly, Jodie's biological father took the blame for Delilah.During that time, Jodie was just a baby.Cindy, fueled by a quest for justice, confronted Delilah, who callously remarked, "I've already transferred money to your husband's account. Don't be too greedy!"However, Cindy wasn't easily deceived. She possessed evidence, a recorded conversation with her husband, showcasing Delilah's manipulation and his complicity in covering for her.To pacify Cindy, Delilah suggested adopting Jodie, yet as a sinister act of revenge against Wilfred and Anya, she covertly swapped two children..."This is that woman's daughter!" Delilah handed a girl rou
"W-What did you say?" Cindy's expression stiffened for a moment.Jodie stabbed at the steak on her plate. Her fork froze mid-air, the desire to bring it to her mouth evaporating. Her appetite had vanished. What she craved wasn't the taste of the steak but the satisfaction of sinking her fork into Maisie's flesh, tearing it into pieces, and spitting it onto the ground.Cindy's conscience lingered. "Jojo, taking someone's life... That's not right, is it? Besides, your brother already hurt her once. It's miraculous that she survived. You should...""Are you my mom or hers?" Jodie seethed with anger.Cindy trembled, attempting to placate. "Of course, I'm your mom. You're my dear daughter!""Then help me with this!"Cindy shrugged, hesitant to say more.From their dining spot, they observed the hotel entrance across the street.At that moment, Maisie, Daniel, and Wilfred emerged from the hotel.The trio stood outside, conversing, each adorned with a radiant smile.Maisie was close
"Of course, it's not instant poisoning." Cindy chuckled. "There's a kind of slow-acting poison. I'll give her a bit during meals, and over time, the poison will take effect in her body... They say even forensic experts find it hard to identify this poison!"Jodie nodded without saying more, half skeptical. She didn't care what kind of poison was used. What she wanted was for Maisie to disappear from this world!-After seeing off Wilfred, Maisie gently hooked her arm around Daniel's, giving him a sweet smile.Daniel affectionately pinched her nose. "Someone once said I should learn to grow up, right?"Daniel smiled without saying a word."So why did you follow me again?" Maisie's eyes twinkled."Well..." Daniel said honestly, "I can't rest assured letting you meet an older man alone."Maisie playfully hit him, but the second time, Daniel held her fist. "Of course, I feel like contract details should be my responsibility, too, right?""Then how should I thank you?""You know
Daniel squinted, maintaining a contemplative silence for a moment.Chris furrowed his brow. "Uncle Daniel, Lena and I are puzzled. What should our next move be?""Yeah." Lena nodded. "Or perhaps we should consider a different approach. Maybe Maisie isn't connected to the Newhouses?""She definitely is," Daniel asserted firmly, locking eyes with them. "No need to change our approach, but this test result did catch my attention. Maisie isn't Delilah's daughter, but she might be Wilfred's."Chris and Lena were visibly surprised."Uncle Daniel, have you uncovered something?""Not precisely," Daniel replied in a subdued tone. "I recently met Wilfred along with Maisie. It was the second time Wilfred encountered Maisie after the banquet. I just sensed that his gaze toward Maisie was noticeably different."Chris bit his lip. "Um... Was it the gaze of an older man with inappropriate intentions toward a young—?"Before he could finish his sentence, Lena jabbed him hard!Daniel didn't mi
In the future, he would go to any lengths to reunite her with Wilfred, restoring the father-daughter bond and ensuring she experienced the protective embrace of a father."There will be these kinds of activities in the future." He chuckled. "I'm talking about our kids. They'll be very happy. I won't miss any school events of theirs."Maisie was taken aback. "They?""Yeah." Daniel's hand circled her waist. "Let's have a few."Maisie blushed and pushed him lightly, gesturing toward the driver upfront.Daniel didn't mind. He coughed softly, and the driver immediately raised the partition."You...""Whatever we do now won't be affected, right?"Daniel's finger threaded through Maisie's long hair. He cupped her face, planting a gentle kiss on her lips."Don't..." Maisie halted his further advances. "Not here."Daniel's breath was slightly unsteady. "Not here? So, shall we find another place?"Maisie kept her eyes down, feeling her heart racing.Daniel focused on her with a smile
Maisie paused, momentarily uncertain. She wasn't always quick to react to these situations, not quite understanding why."Lily, I'm not well-versed in this stuff, but why not talk to Rachael? She knows a lot; maybe you both can come up with something?""Ugh, forget it!" Lily sighed. "Rachael hasn't been focused on work lately. She's been taking frequent leaves! But... she's been dedicated to me for so many years, working tirelessly before with no complaints. Let her rest for a while!""Rachael doesn't usually take time off, right?" Maisie was puzzled. "Is there something bothering her lately?""What could it be? It's just because..." Lily's words trailed off.It was because she favored Maisie so much that all the good resources flowed toward her. It wasn't a problem for the established authors under the company. However, Rachael had a few small authors under her, and they couldn't match these resources in terms of experience and capability. Yet, Rachael still wanted to try her bes
Daniel also wanted to preserve the most beautiful moment for their actual wedding night."Oh, about Rachael that Lily mentioned earlier..." Daniel paused. "Is she the one who's always trailing behind her?""Yeah, that's her." Maisie nodded. "She's also a veteran in the company. She and Lily basically founded SL Publishing. When Lily isn't around, she's in charge of everything in the company.""Has she ever caused trouble for you?""How could she?" Maisie chuckled. "She's been really nice to me and helped me a lot.""Then... between you and her, who does Lily treat better?"The question momentarily stumped Maisie as she hadn't thought about it before.Daniel's eyes narrowed slightly, and he chuckled. He had seen plenty of interpersonal relationship issues. Many partners could endure hardship together but couldn't share success.Sometimes, the involvement of others led to a rift between two people who once trusted each other, ultimately leading to a collapse in cooperation.It w