Janine sighed and looked at the painting quietly.There were two double-winged fireflies on it, representing Xyla and Rowan. The forest that was the background was where they usually dated.It would be unnecessary if Xyla were to see it and be reminded of the sad past.That was why Janine did not plan to buy the painting. She wanted to raise the bidding price to donate more money to charity. It would be the best this painting could do.“Never mind, Cordelia…” She forced a smile. “Actually… Actually, I asked your mom, and she didn’t want to come.”“Oh.” Cordelia nodded in a daze and put down her phone.“This was her creation in youth. She doesn’t like it. Oh yeah, don’t bring this up to her when you go back, lest she overthinks it and thinks of the past.”Cordelia quickly replied, “Mm, I understand!” Although she could not share it with her mother, she felt proud to see her mother’s painting being auctioned today.“Our honorable guests, the auction will start soon!”The host
The nurses greeted Josiah friendlily. “Mr. Bayer, you’re here again!”Josiah smiled at them and headed straight to the hospital ward.The nurses had heart-shaped eyes as they gathered around to chat with grins.“Mr. Bayer is so handsome! Not bad at all compared to those hunks!”“Right? He’s not just good-looking, but he’s also devoted. He’s here every day while Ms. Kelly’s hospitalized… Sigh, it’s a pity that she doesn’t recognize him.”“Ms. Kelly’s a poor thing too. She got into an accident, and her father doesn’t even care… Lucky Mr. Bayer’s keeping her company every day.”Josiah pushed the door open and saw Kelly spacing out in bed. He forced a smile and walked over to her.“Are you feeling better today?” He wanted to pat her head, but she avoided him instinctively and stared at him as she hid to the side.Josiah was sad. It had been so long, and she was still unfamiliar with him. He forced a smile and kept his hand to pour her a glass of water and tell her a joke sitting ne
“You…” Rowan gave it a thought and asked softly, “Did you remember something?”Kelly jolted.“There’s nothing you can’t tell me.” Rowan’s smile was as if he knew everything. “Actually, from the first day I treated you, I knew that you were hiding something from everyone.“You didn’t remember something. You’ve never forgotten anything.”Kelly sat on the bed with her legs curled up as she bit her fist.After a moment of silence when Rowan was going to inject her, she grabbed his hand abruptly and looked with a pleading expression on her pale face.“Uncle Irwin, you’re a good person…” Even Kelly’s voice sounded pale. “Please don’t tell others!”Rowan automatically scanned the surrounding area of the hospital ward with a serious gaze. Confirming that there was no one else, he turned around swiftly and shut the door.“Some of the doctors and nurses around me are actually Nelly’s people,” Kelly said softly. “But I don’t know who they are, so I can only pretend to have lost my memory.
Rowan’s brows creased. He looked into the girl’s eyes. She was sick, but her eyes were full of life. They told him she already had an answer before she asked the question.She wanted to help Mandy and seek justice for herself.“You’ve thought through this?” asked Rowan. “Once these are exposed, the Tanners’ dirty laundry will be aired to the world. You’ll be implicated too.”“I’m not scared.” Kelly shook her head with a smile. “I’m dying soon. What’s there to be scared of?“But I can’t just sit around and watch them take advantage of my mom!”“Who says that you’re dying soon? Are you doubting my skills?” Rowan smiled. “Aren’t you afraid that your crush will be sad when you say that?”Kelly froze before a rare blush colored her pale cheeks.“Josiah is great. He’s more concerned about you than your father is!” Rowan took the syringe and injected her at the vein with ease.“My dad’s never been concerned about me.” Kelly chuckled self-deprecatingly. “He’s always scorned that I’m a
Joe clinked glasses with them.The doors opened at that moment, and the venue quieted abruptly. The chandelier on the hall’s ceiling was the only one making a soft clicking noise.Cordelia was smiling as she walked toward Joe and Nelly.Nelly’s expression changed instantly. She was going to lash out, but Joe stopped her discreetly.“Her status is unlike last time now. We’ll still meet in the future. Hold it in!”Nelly took a deep breath and looked at Cordelia coldly.“Why didn’t you tell me about such a joyous occasion today?” Cordelia smiled nonchalantly. “Ms. Tanner, do you still hold a grudge against me?”“Very funny, Ms. Jenner. That usually happens when people are close. You and I don’t seem to even be friends yet!”“Oh… people who are close?” Cordelia smiled. “What a coincidence. I brought your best friend here today. It’d be best if you two could resolve any grudges you have in front of everyone!”“What did you say?” Nelly’s heart dropped.Joe stepped forward with narr
“So, you still remember me, Ms. Tanner!” Mona scoffed.Nelly was startled. Mona’s gaze on her no longer looked like she saw her as a best friend.“Why… Why are you here?” Nelly went up to chide her softly. “You want to embarrass me like them too? Don’t forget, could you be popular without me?”“Yeah.” Mona’s voice was quivering. “Nelly Tanner, I wouldn’t have ended up like this if it weren’t for you!”She pulled the scarf off her face as she spoke. The deep scars on her face shocked Nelly.“This is what you gave me!”“Liar!” Nelly stumbled back. “I’ve never asked anyone to mutilate your face!”“Hah, not you, but everything’s because of you!”Mona faced the crowd. They were shocked when they saw the wounds on her face.“I’m here today to expose Ms. Nelly Tanner!“She’s the one who asked me to seduce Mr. Thompson and drug him. She’s also the one who got the press to cook things up. That’s how Mrs. Thompson got triggered and lost her baby!”“Mona!” Nelly shrieked. “Are you craz
Zephyr looked at Nelly in repulse and shook her off.Cordelia held his arm and looked at Nelly icily.Nelly still wanted to cling to Zephyr, but the bodyguard stepped forth and shoved her to the floor.The doors were opened again. This time, Mandy came in, wheeling Kelly. The latter was pale and frail in the wheelchair, but the determination in her eyes frightened Nelly.“Mandy, Kelly…” Joe was sweating profusely with a nervous expression. “Why are you both here?”Mandy scoffed, “Are we supposed to watch you hand the family business over to this scornful, vicious b*tch otherwise?”“Mandy!”Joe wanted to overpower her, but she tossed a document to him.“Joe Tanner, you must have forgotten about our prenup, huh?”“What?” Joe paled as he read the prenup with bulged eyes.It was only then that he recalled that Mandy’s family, the Chrisses, had asked him to sign a prenup before they married over 20 years ago. The prenup had accounted for their premarital assets. When the Tanner Gr
Joe picked up the papers from the floor with trembling hands and read them sheet after sheet.Mandy gripped the wheelchair handles so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She saw her daughter’s jerking shoulders and patted her.The papers that Kelly had thrown were countless photocopied sets, so almost everyone there could get one to themselves. As they went through the DNA test report and the injury assessment reports, they threw despising and abhorring glances at Nelly and Joe.“Hypocrites!”“Despicable!”Everyone hit the man who was down—Nelly and Joe stood rooted pathetically like they were tied to the gallows.“Dad, you probably don’t know how Nelly has been bullying me all these years, huh?” Kelly asked shakily, “Hah, or did you know and give your silent permission for her to do it?”“No, no!” Joe panicked. “Kelly, you’re my daughter too. Even though you’re sick, I’ve never thought of giving up on you, right?”“Don’t touch my daughter!” Mandy pushed him away resentfull