“She’s doing great. She’s handling some things now. Don’t underestimate her. She’s been through many ups and downs. Her parents passed away when she was fifteen. Despite having vicious and greedy relatives, she raised and educated her ten-year-old sister well. “Those who have gone through hard times are especially strong-willed.”Kevin finally understood why Audrey had chosen Liberty to compete against Caroline in Jensburg. “It’s a relief that she isn’t too shocked.”Kevin smiled. “Are you getting off work now? Oh, by the way, I brought you a present.”He retrieved a box from his suit pocket and gave it to Hayden. Hayden accepted it, but she did not open the box. Instead, she went to her office table and placed it into the drawer.“Aren’t you going to take a look?”“No. Anything you give is the best. I’ll look at it when I’m free and savor your love for me.”Kevin stared at Hayden. She seemed gentler, and reciprocated his feelings openly. He had succeeded in advancing a s
Hunter glanced at his wife in despair and closed his eyes. He was in immense pain. Belinda was not angry at Hunter for not looking at her. She walked to the windows again and stared outside. Her mind wandered off. If Patrick had been willing to be with her, help her, and marry her back then, her life would have been complete and filled with happiness. Unfortunately, he was only loyal to Tiara. Even if Tiara had gotten married to someone else, had children, and eventually passed away, Patrick would refuse to follow her and choose to disappear instead. Decades had passed, and Belinda was already seventy years old. Patrick was probably dead by now. Why was she still worried?At that moment, Belinda’s phone rang. It was Caroline. Belinda answered the call after a silent pause. “Mom.”Caroline said, “Are you okay, Mom?”She asked about her mother first instead of Hunter’s injury. Belinda said calmly, “It can’t get any worse. What’s there to not be okay about? You all
Caroline turned her gaze away from Hunter and followed Belinda to a small lounge. She placed the lunch box on the table and opened it. She told her mother, “I even brought you some fruits.”Belinda sat and stared at the sandwiches and cut fruits Caroline had brought. After some time, she said, “You’re the only one who’ll actually prepare sandwiches for me.”Her sons and Celine would not have followed her request because they opined that those foods were not worthy of her. “Have the sandwiches while they’re fresh, Mom.”Back when Caroline was still with her abusive adoptive family, she could not even have sandwiches. A sandwich was a luxury for when she was young. Having experienced a tough childhood, Caroline never wasted money once she was an adult and earning money herself. She maintained a low profile and spent money wisely. Her personality, which was shaped by her environment, did not change with her increasing savings. Belinda ate the sandwiches while recalling a scen
Caroline said, “I don’t have one, Mom. I was just asking. But will she be recognized by the family? “She’ll be acknowledged as long as she’s your blood. The Fishers will be with you throughout your pregnancy and birth. Once the child is born, they’ll accept her.”Caroline replied, “If so, why do I have to get married? If I don’t wed, then I won’t have to worry about scumbags getting a share of the family’s assets.”Belinda was speechless. She must be out of her mind. Why was she suddenly talking to Caroline about this?Maybe her husband’s betrayal had ruined her mood and she could not resist nagging her daughter about marriage. Caroline continued, “There might still be flaws even if everything is planned out well. The best solution is to give birth to a daughter without marrying the man. Without getting a marriage license and becoming husband and wife legally, the man won’t be able to take any assets. There won’t even be any shared assets between us from the start.”Belinda s
Belinda raised her head to look at Caroline, and her expression relaxed. She said, “I know you’re good at hiding your true abilities. You have a hint of ruthlessness like me, but you’re still too kind. You have to know that there’s nothing fair in this world. It’s every man for themselves.”Caroline was silent. “You should go back.”Belinda knew Caroline was much stronger than Celine, yet she would not listen to her every time. Caroline had a mind of her own. Belinda feared that everything she had painstakingly gained would return to the hands of Tiara’s lineage. If so, her efforts would have been for naught. Decades of hard work would go to someone else just like that. Even if she were dead, she would be so angry that she would tear her coffin open.Caroline told her mother to take care of her health before leaving the ward. Belinda only withdrew her gaze after Caroline left. Then, she returned to sit by the bed and said, “Carol went back.”Hunter replied, “Okay.”However
“Mom…”“Don’t call me that. I’m not your mom. If I hear you calling me that again, I’ll cut your tongue off too. Your mom is still waiting for you in the countryside.”After speaking, Belinda shut the door again. Tears flowed down Celine’s face, yet she dared not cry out loud anymore. She was the perfect example of someone fallen from grace.Hunter heard Celine’s cries from the bed. Although he felt sorry for her, he stayed quiet. When he heard footsteps approaching, he closed his eyes. He did not look at Belinda as he was scared that she would see the sympathy in his eyes.He knew that he and Celine were done for. Although he was not chased out, his life in the Fisher household would be a living hell. However, he had to tolerate it for the sake of the Clark family. If Hunter wanted his days to get better, his sons had to inherit the head of the family position. Caroline becoming the matriarch would not benefit him at all. He swore to himself that he would help his
“Thanks, but I’m fine,” Duncan said politely. He had stayed in Fortress Hotel before this, albeit seldom. None of the employees remembered him, the young master of the Lewises. Well, even if Zachary was here, they probably could not even recognize the CEO of York Corporation as well. The person in charge of all hotels owned by York Corporation was Kevin. Most employees were familiar with him. Kevin bumped into Duncan while seeing Hayden off as Duncan entered the hotel. “Duncan.”Kevin was somewhat surprised to see him. He had heard from Liberty that Duncan would be coming over. However, Duncan’s arrival was supposed to be around two in the afternoon. Kevin thought he had yet to arrive as Liberty had just returned and had not gone to fetch him from the airport. That was why he was surprised to see Duncan being wheeled into the hotel by his bodyguard. Kevin smiled and went to Duncan, asking, “Here by yourself?”“Yeah. The plane was left in the airport. I rented a car
Duncan said, “It was a last-minute decision, so Sonny doesn’t know. His friend was visiting. He’s having so much fun that he forgets that I exist. There’s no way he’ll care about where I go.”Liberty smiled. “He doesn’t even miss me that much, let alone you.”“Sonny is close to Serenity. That’s why you can leave so easily.”“You’re right. Seren has been helping me take care of Sonny since he was born. She was the one who cared for me and Sonny during my postpartum. Sonny’s father had to work. He only took a few days' leave when I gave birth in the hospital. As for my former in-laws, they disappeared after visiting Sonny in the hospital. “They were even urging me to try for a second baby before my divorce. It was lucky that I got a divorce. Otherwise, my whole life would’ve been ruined by that family.”Liberty pushed Duncan into the elevator. When they reached the third floor, she picked a private room and helped Duncan to sit on a chair. She asked, “What do you want to eat?”“