Camryn was very surprised to hear that.He was from York Corporation.Was he an employee of York Corporation or someone from the York family?Camryn could not tell.She thought, ‘I’ll ask Serenity who that number belongs to the next time she comes to my store to buy flowers.’Serenity did not know Callum had begun to approach Camryn. After Zachary sent her to the bookstore, she chatted with Jasmine for a while before her old classmates she invited over to help weave the handicrafts arrived. Serenity told them to weave a small trinket according to her instructions.She first had to make sure that their skills were not rusty, then she took a lot of materials from the small storeroom and distributed them to everyone to take home and weave.After sending them off, Serenity turned and was just about to go back into the store when Elisa arrived in her car. She watched Elisa park in front of the bookstore and get out of the car.“Seren.”Elisa walked over to Serenity with a smile. “W
Whether it was Serenity’s hometown or the neighboring villages, the young worked in the cities while only the older generation stayed behind. The elderly could not do much farm work, so the fields were deserted. Since there was someone rich who wanted to rent the fields from them, they would not refuse the opportunity to earn money.Serenity and Jasmine were very pleased to hear this.After Elisa finished updating them about the investment project, she looked at Serenity and hesitated a moment before saying, “That was the good news. Time for the bad news. Seren, I also got someone to inquire about what your relatives were up to while talking about contracting the land.”“Everything they’ve done has been bad news. Just say it, Elisa. I’m prepared to hear whatever it is they’re doing recently. At most, they hauled away the bricks, sand, and gravel and sold them.”“The trucks of materials you sent to rebuild the house were still there. They were stacked properly untouched. Your relati
“They can try every dirty trick under the sun, but we’re not going to change our minds about taking them to court. We’ll only take what is ours and nothing more,” Serenity spoke firmly. She was not a heartless person, but she could show no mercy when it came to her money-hungry relatives. It would take Serenity a lifetime to get over the hurt from her childhood. “Of course. They can talk and make up stories all they want. We’ll take the legal route, so it’s a fair game for them and us.” Elisa said, “I have never met anyone more shameless than them. Are you sure your father is their blood family, Seren?” “I believe so. My father shared an uncanny resemblance with his old man. They’re just playing favorites…. That’s the case with some parents—they dote on the oldest and youngest while the middle child tends to get ignored. “I will request for a DNA test if they put up a defense, saying that my father isn’t their child in court. The DNA test will prove the blood relations. “
Serenity said with a smile, “I know, I know. I’m the luckiest woman alive. I will count my blessings. I mean, I do count blessings.” Her best friends and family were easily paid off by Zachary, and now they always put in the good word for him. Well, Zachary was good to Serenity. “I don’t know what I should get him.” Serenity puckered her brows. Her two best friends believed Serenity was tormenting them by showing off her relationship. It did not affect Jasmine much though as Josh was nice to her too. However, as someone without a partner, Elisa was envious and jealous. “Zachary used to have everything but a wife. Though that’s settled because you’re now married to him. He needs children in his life now. Hurry up and make babies. Get a pair of twins—a girl and a boy.” With an adorable kid like Sonny in mind, Elisa uttered, “You can have lots of children if they are as cute and smart as Sonny. Zachary can afford to raise them anyway. “Seren, any good news from you? I m
Serenity was shocked. She was in the wrong business. In fact, why set up her own business? She could just give Zachary children. Her wealth could be built through giving birth. Jasmine gasped in awe; as expected from the wealthy. The push present was a lot of money, and Grandma May was not the only giver. The other family members would be showering with cash gifts too. “Seren, you can be rich by having children,” Jasmine commented with a smile. Elisa grabbed Jasmine’s hand and caressed the charm bracelet Jasmine got from Mrs. Bucham, uttering, “Jasmine, you don’t need to be envious of Seren. Your future mother-in-law gave you a family heirloom. I thought my eyes deceived me, but now that I had a close examination, I’m certain this is the Buchams’ family heirloom.” Jasmine was at a loss for words. “The Buchams’ family heirloom? How can you tell?” It never occurred to Jasmine that Mrs. Bucham would give her the family heirloom during their first encounter. Did Jasmine p
It never occurred to Serenity that Mr. York turned out to be her husband. “Seren, it’s all in the past. I quit daydreaming the moment he saw me as his cousin-in-law. He has done a lot for you but never anything for me. He wouldn’t even talk to me in the past.” Serenity was not the only reason Elisa could get over Zachary. Elisa was able to tell that Zachary had no feelings for her as he only had eyes for Serenity. “Come to think of it, my best friend shares a similar experience with you except their roles were reversed—she took Zachary’s role. She hid her identity when she was together with her boyfriend, but the guy left her for someone rich. Apparently, the new girl had money and connections, so he didn’t need to work as hard to advance in his career.” Serenity remarked, “She should be relieved that she saw the man’s true colors before they got married.” “That’s what I told her too.” Elisa grabbed her car keys. “I got to go, Seren. Do you have time to draft the contract?
Serenity said, “I’m okay. Am I not sitting here all fine? But my car was smashed. Zachary drove me to work this morning.” Liberty nervously asked, “Who was it? Was it those people again?” She thought it was their relatives again. “No. It’s the Newman family. Well, the sister of the woman I helped before, to be precise. I got into two arguments with her, so she hired a few thugs to get back at me.” “I can’t believe it! Where is the law?” Liberty reproached. “Did you call the cops?” “Yeah.” Serenity looked at her nephew in her sister’s arms and replied, “I’ll be fine, Liberty. Zachary assigned another two bodyguards to protect me. I’m letting you know now in case you and Sonny might be dragged into this.“How about you move in with us, Liberty? We can look after one another, and it’s safer for all of us.” Liberty answered, “I’m renting in quite a safe neighborhood. Since you called the cops, they would’ve learned their lesson and wouldn’t try something again. We’re livin
The clock struck nine. There were two more hours before the event ended. Yet, Zachary had come all this way to take his wife home. Mr. Jefferson smiled and said, “It’s nice that you dropped by, Mr. York. It’s my mother’s eightieth birthday. Can we have the honor of you joining us at the party?” Without replying to Mr. Jefferson, Zachary uttered in a low voice, “Jim.” Jim stepped forward with a gift in his hands. Zachary said, “I’m sorry to bother you. This is a little gift for the birthday girl. I wish nothing but happiness and longevity to your mother.” Although Zachary did not attend the celebration, he was giving Old Mrs. Jefferson all due respect by preparing a gift. Jim handed the present to Mr. Jefferson. He accepted the gift and thanked Zachary profusely. Standing there, Zachary appeared rather dashing. The bouquet looked brilliant under the night light. Seeing that Zachary had no intentions of coming in, Mr. Jefferson did not insist and told the maid to fet
Isabella’s bodyguard had only called out to her, not daring to touch her, so she had not woken up. However, when Austin gently patted her face and called her, she woke up almost immediately. When she opened her eyes and saw Austin’s handsome face, Isabella was momentarily dazed, thinking she was dreaming about him.She had actually dreamed about Austin. Had she developed feelings for him? If she had not, why would she dream about him? In all her life, this was the first time she had dreamed about a man. Isabella wanted to touch Austin’s face, but as she raised her hand, she realized she was not dreaming.Austin was real. She could smell the fresh scent on him because they were so close.He had showered.Isabella quietly lowered her hand, hoping Austin had not noticed her earlier intention, lest he misunderstood.“Ms. Isabella,” Austin’s warm and pleasant voice reached her ears, making her want to close her eyes and go back to sleep. With him around, she felt safe and secure.
Hunter had neither money nor power. What could he possibly use to save his sons?“Dad, go home. When the trial starts, we’ll send someone to pick you up so you can attend and observe.”Hunter stood up angrily and stormed off.After he left, Ellie asked Ava, “Are we really not going to do anything? My child is still young. Having a father in prison will always be a stain on their life.”“What can we do? Even if we wanted to save them, we don’t have the means. We know what Caroline is like. She’s not going to let this go lightly this time,” Ava replied. “Anyway, think about last year, when they were caught cheating. How did they treat us then?”Remembering the events from last year, Ellie said, “Let them serve a few years in prison, then. Ava, Caroline is in the hospital. Should we go visit her?”“We should. Let’s go tomorrow. We’ll call Emma and visit Caroline together. The Fisher family is full of terrible people, but Caroline still has some conscience. She’s always been kind t
Hunter was momentarily speechless. He did not have much money. When Belinda was alive, he never had more than five hundred dollars on him. After his children grew up, he secretly asked them for money. During that time, he had money to spend freely, living a lavish life outside.However, all that money had been spent. He had no savings, mainly because he was used to spending extravagantly.He had been unable to save money. He did not own any shops or properties either; Belinda had kept him on a tight leash.The house in their hometown had been built with Belinda’s money, but it was not under his name. It was under his three sons’ names.After Belinda’s death, his sons supported him. Each son gave him over a hundred thousand dollars a month for living expenses.Combined, that was several hundred thousand dollars a month, allowing him to live comfortably in Ashford. He had managed to save a little, but not much, just over a million dollars in total. Hiring the best lawyers for h
Despite this, lying in bed and enduring the pain, Caroline could not help but start to cry, feeling deeply wronged.When Darren came in and saw her crying, he walked over, sat on the edge of the bed, and gently wiped her tears with a tissue.“They’re not worth your tears,” he said, his heart aching for her.Caroline sat up and buried herself in his arms. “Darren, you’re all I have now.”Darren held her tightly, his voice filled with tenderness. “I’ll always be by your side, no matter what happens, Ms. Caroline. Even if the sky falls, I’ll hold it up for you.“If you’re really hurting and need to cry, then cry. Let it all out.”It would also help her sever ties with the past and the family bonds that had caused her so much pain.Caroline did cry—a long, cathartic cry. It would be the last time. From now on, she and the Clarks would go their separate ways.Meanwhile, Hunter went to Justin’s house and called Jason’s wife, Ellie, over. He said to his two daughters-in-law, “By no
After a moment of silence, Hunter repeated the same line. “But you didn’t die, did you? You only got a little hurt, and it’s not even serious.”Caroline almost laughed in anger at this.Sure, she had not died. She had only been injured. Did that erase the fact that her brothers had tried to kill her, though?She retorted, “Dad, if I had tried to kill your three sons, but they didn’t die and only got a little hurt, would you say the same thing to them? Would you tell them it’s just a family dispute, ask them to forgive me, not to sue me, and not to send me to jail?”Hunter instinctively replied, "If you had the intent to kill, how could I let you continue down that path? Of course, I’d have to let you serve a few years in prison…“Carol, I’m old, really old. I only have the boys to rely on in my old age. Are you trying to leave me with no one to depend on in my later years?”Caroline said coldly, “I’ll provide for your living expenses. I’ll make sure you don’t starve. You can even
Darren did not let go even after being struck.Seeing Darren get hit, Caroline’s expression darkened. She coldly said to her father, “Dad, if you really want to kneel, go kneel at the hospital entrance and shout at the top of your lungs that your daughter is unfilial.“Tell everyone that your sons tried to kill your daughter, and your daughter refuses to forgive them, so you’re kneeling there to force her to forgive your sons.“Let’s see if I give in.”Hunter stopped struggling. After slapping Darren, he felt a pang of fear. He was afraid Caroline might retaliate by slapping him to avenge Darren. Fortunately, while Caroline was furious, she did not lay a hand on him.He began to cry. “Carol…” He wept bitterly.Darren released him, and Hunter sat on the sofa, sobbing, “Carol, I’m old. I have no income, my parents are long gone, and your mother is no longer here. I only have your three brothers to rely on.“If you send all three of them to prison, what will happen to me? Who w
Caroline hummed. “I do plan to visit Wiltspoon to see her sometime soon. I just don’t know if I’ll be kicked out when I get there.”“And I should visit Mr. Foster too. How is he, by the way?" Patrick was the longest-living person she had ever met. Back when she lived with her adoptive family in the countryside, the oldest people in town usually lived into their eighties, and few made it to ninety. Patrick was nearly a hundred years old. What was more, he could walk without support and even travel long distances with his old friends.Liberty replied, “He’s doing quite well. Aunt Audrey accompanies him on walks every day. When they don’t go out, he sits by the cradle and watches baby Elias for hours on end.”The bond between generations was strong. When Patrick looked at Clive’s son, Elias, he felt like he was looking at his great-grandson. As Tiara’s great-grandson, Elias was naturally like his own great-grandson, too.“Dr. Carden comes by periodically to check on him and adjus
Liberty had already called Audrey to inform her about what had happened and also mentioned it to Serenity.Knowing the Clark brothers had all been captured, Serenity felt thoroughly relieved and stopped worrying that her sister would run into trouble in Jensburg.She told Zachary that Caroline never let people down.Zachary did not comment.Caroline’s fever had completely subsided, but her coughing had worsened. The doctor had changed her prescription, but the effects were not immediate.When Liberty entered, Caroline was out of bed and walking around, supported by Darren.“Caroline, why are you out of bed?”Liberty scolded her, “Get back in bed and lie down. You’re injured. If you don’t rest properly and keep moving around, you’ll aggravate your wounds, and you’ll regret it.”She did not blame Darren, though. She knew Caroline always came first to him. He always followed her lead and was unable to influence her decisions.“I’ve been lying down all day. My back is sore, and I’m
The housekeeper replied, “Yes, sir.”They did not have much work in the first place, so they did not need to slack off. Once they were done with their work, they had tons of time to entertain themselves.Hunter rushed out the door with his car keys. Despite being over seventy years old, his driving skills were still quite good. Not needing to hire a driver, he drove himself straight to Jensburg.Upon arriving at the city, Hunter did not immediately go looking for Caroline. He was unaware that she had been injured.Instead, he went to meet his old friends to ask them to help him find out if anything had happened in relation to the Fisher family last night.After he finished speaking, one of his friends said, “We were about to ask you the same thing. Your three sons attacked your daughter with knives and even kidnapped her, intending to chop her up and feed her to the fish.“Luckily, that Mr. Fletcher, who works for your daughter, arrived with the police and rescued her, but she wa