After a moment of silence, Darren said, “There’s new information in Wiltspoon, but I haven’t confirmed the details yet. Maybe Liberty will disclose something to you.”“It doesn’t matter if she does or not. After all, we’re rivals. To be frank, I dare trust her fully, but she doesn’t. If she were to have full trust in me, she wouldn’t be a good fit to take over the Fisher family.”Before the truth behind Tiara and Alivia’s deaths was exposed, Caroline would not hand over anything that belonged to the Fisher family just yet. She promised that if her mother had indeed killed her Aunt Tiara and Aunt Alivia, she would cooperate with Liberty and return everything that belonged to Tiara’s descendants. After that, she would leave and not obstruct Liberty from becoming the next matriarch. However, if her aunts’ deaths were indeed an unfortunate accident, Liberty would have to compete against her fair and square. If Liberty could defeat her, she would willingly accept the loss.Therefore,
Even if Caroline were not involved in the Fishers' infighting, she would still experience deception as a businesswoman. Only a few people were truly kind in the business world; most were cunning. Ever since Caroline started her business, she had been paving her own path and managed to stand out among her competitors. Many smaller factories and companies were unable to secure orders and went bankrupt because they could not compete against her company. It had always been the survival of the fittest. Darren said, “I’ll find out more. If Mrs. Stone has truly found that assistant, I believe she’ll come over soon.”Audrey would seek revenge if Belinda did murder Tiara.Although Belinda could probably avoid the death sentence since decades had passed, she would definitely lose her position as the matriarch. Her descendants would be stripped of their rights to become matriarchs too. Audrey most likely would not spare any of them. Thinking about it, Darren reminded, “Should we p
Those who would harm her were either her brothers or father, while others dared not do anything to her. “Okay. That’s all. I’ll go and pick you up if I can finish my errands early.”Caroline did not refuse the offer. After the call ended, she was deep in thought for a moment. She felt like she was becoming more reliant and attached to Darren. He was the only person she could trust wholeheartedly. Caroline sent a message to check on Liberty’s arrival and update that she would be there soon. Liberty replied quickly, saying she had reached Caroline’s company and was welcomed in by a manager.Caroline returned a thumbs-up emoji.After putting her phone down, she started her car again and drove away. Forty minutes later, Caroline arrived. Her company had been doing well and was growing steadily. Even Hayden was willing to collaborate with Caroline’s company. That proved how promising the future of her company was. However, Caroline had not returned for some time. The
Although Mr. Wolfe did not know why Liberty had visited, he hosted her with utmost care. “I came late because I had something going on earlier,” Caroline whispered. She entered the VIP room and saw Liberty and her bodyguards sitting with a cup of tea in front of them. None of them had touched the tea. Upon seeing Caroline, Liberty smiled. “You didn’t have to come over if you were busy. We could’ve talked over the phone.”Caroline grinned as well. “Something happened. Adrian came over to get my signature on a document just as I was heading out. He kept rambling and we had a call with our mom. That was why I was late. Sorry to keep you waiting.”“It’s okay. It wasn’t that long of a wait.”Liberty got up to greet Caroline and only sat after Caroline came closer. Caroline told Mr. Wolfe to get back to work after he poured her a cup of tea. Liberty also asked her bodyguards to leave. They did not need to watch over her in the room. Soon, Liberty and Caroline were the only o
Caroline answered truthfully, “No clue. She didn’t tell Adrian and I during our call earlier.“If it were up to her, she might not punish Adrian heavily. He’s her biological son after all.”Liberty said, “I know. I won’t break the law to get back at Adrian, but I can make his life difficult and have him usher in the new year feeling terrible.“By the way, hasn’t your sister-in-law divorced your brother?”“The divorce isn’t finalized yet.”After a moment of silence, Caroline said, “They may be my brothers, but as a woman, I do agree they’re bastards.” Learning from Emma and Adrian’s situation, Justin and Jason started to treat their wives better. It was also because Celine had passed away. They tasted their mother’s cruelty and dared not be presumptuous anymore. Ava and Ellie had already forgiven their husbands. Their relationships seemed to have returned to normal. Since those two couples still wished to be together, Caroline left them alone. Her sisters-in-law had already
Maybe it was also because Patrick was determined to seek revenge. Caroline replied, “You’re right. Mr. Patrick must be healthy since he’s lived this long. The assistants undergo hellish training after they’re selected. Their physiques are stronger than ordinary people. Perhaps living till a hundred isn’t a problem for them.“My mom must’ve gone on her trip because she discovered his location. Is he safe now? He’ll be in deep trouble if my mom manages to find him.”Caroline knew Belinda too well. “You don’t have to worry about that. Mr. Patrick is very safe now.”He was staying with the Stones and surrounded by the legendary elders. Besides, he was in Wiltspoon. Even if Belinda wanted to kill him, it would be difficult for her to do so there. Belinda had considered using Carrie as her pawn to access Wiltspoon. However, Serenity and the rest had become suspicious and subsequently discovered her scheme. Therefore, Belinda gave up on Carrie. Any of her people who tried to gain a
Caroline was teased while seeing Liberty out. However, she did not even blush and said, “Darren doesn’t look like a romantic person.“I don’t think I am too.“We aren’t in a relationship right now.”Liberty said, “Aren’t you going to consider it since you’re already planning on having his daughter? It’ll be difficult to find a man who treats you well and isn’t like your dad. With your identity and status, finding a capable man willing to marry into your family is rare.“Darren is a perfect match. Regardless of whether you two are dating or not, he’ll always be loyal to you and stay by your side. You have high standards and different views on marriage as well. I think you won’t fancy another man aside from Darren.”Caroline held admiration for Hayden before, but it had been just that. Hayden was a woman, who had also thought of bringing Hugh and her together. Unfortunately, both of them were not interested in each other. She had no choice but to give up. After a moment of sil
The elevator brought them to the first floor. Liberty and Caroline exited and talked about something fun instead. They walked out of the building with smiles. Caroline stood at the entrance and watched Liberty leave before getting into her car. No one knew what they had discussed other than that they were having a pleasant conversation when walking out together. Night befell early during winter. The city was ablaze with lights, while places without lights were already pitch black. Upon returning to the city center, Caroline proceeded to meet a client as scheduled instead of heading home. She did not care about Belinda’s sudden return and pretended to be in the dark about it. Since Belinda liked to spring surprises on them, she could do it as much as she wished. Caroline did nothing wrong anyway. She was not afraid of Belinda’s little ambushes. That would however be different for Adrian, who should be breaking out in cold sweat.Little did he know that Belinda was bac
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