“What are you guys here for again?” Chelsea demanded to know.She wanted to bar Serenity and the rest from entering her home, but she was too weak to stop them.Her husband, on the other hand, sang a different tune as he politely invited Serenity and the Yorks into the house.Matthew started glaring at them furiously the moment he saw Serenity and her party.His father saw this and pinched him.“You need to apologize honestly later.”George reminded his son in a lowered tone of voice, “These people are not to be trifled with.”They remained wholly unscathed even after smashing up the Reptons’ home.The cops at the police station yesterday were not on their side at all.George was worried the Yorks had some hidden power and so decided to capitulate, reminding his son to apologize genuinely.Actually, it was all George’s overthinking. The police had watched the security camera recordings and felt Matthew had been overtly cruel, which was why they had decided to ignore the fact
Olivia wailed and rubbed her eyes before she scolded Matthew. “Matthew, Sonny is your cousin. How could you beat him half to death?”“Mom, Matthew knows he did wrong. He’s just a child who doesn’t know how to hold back.”Chelsea defended her son and said to Serenity, “Serenity, Matthew was wrong for beating Sonny, and his father had already taught him a lesson yesterday. He’s learned his mistake. Later, I’ll take him to buy some fruit to visit Sonny and apologize to him.“In any case, we’re still relatives. We won’t press charges regarding how you smashed my home up, so you shouldn’t insist on my son taking responsibility either. It’s normal for children to fight, but it won’t be nice if adults like us interfere.“Besides, Lucas said that it was Sonny who hit him first. Matthew was just protecting his own brother, just like how you’re protecting your sister now.”Serenity sneered. “Chelsea, could your eyes be any more blind? Who was the one who made the first move? The surveillanc
Chelsea was glared at by her father and did not dare speak, but she desperately shot a look at her brother.Hank received his sister’s plea for help. He cleared his throat and said to Serenity, “Serenity, just let my sister take Matthew to apologize and leave it at that. I’m after all Sonny’s father and one of his guardians, so I think I have the right to decide.”Serenity said sarcastically, “Oh, so you do remember that you’re Sonny’s father? If other children’s fathers knew their son got bullied, they would drag a forty-meter-long broadsword to get even with the perpetrator with no second thoughts.“You’re his father, but you want to settle the matter instead. Are you closer to your nephew than your own son?”Serenity then said to George, “Sonny was rescued in the hospital and had a full-body examination which cost several thousand. I’ve brought the bill from the hospital so you won’t think I’m ripping you off.“I came here today for two reasons. Firstly, I want you to bring you
Seeing Serenity immediately transfering the money to his daughter-in-law, Mr. Brown breathed a small sigh of relief.The money was given to his daughter-in-law and would be used for his grandson, not for an outsider.If the money had gone to his son, it would have gone back to his daughter’s pocket.When they left the Reptons’ residence, Rowan insisted on taking Zachary’s car.In the car, he said to Serenity, “Serenity, why didn’t you call me when you all came over to fight yesterday? I was the only one excluded.”Serenity turned her head and looked at her youngest brother-in-law, saying, “You’re still a minor. We have to protect minors.”“Actually, both Matthew and I are minors. If we fight, it’ll just be two minors fighting.”“We didn’t have to do anything. Let his own father teach him a lesson. Didn’t you hear what his amazing mother said? She wanted us to compensate her. She had no way to claim from us solely because he was beaten by his father instead of us.”“Nana said I’
Serenity was shocked. She remembered how desperately she studied back in high school to be accepted into a reputable university.However, Zachary and his brothers could easily get into a good university and even skipped a few grades.“Serenity, don’t look like you’ve been hit to the point of doubting your existence. The person who’s been hit the hardest is me.”Serenity thought about it and agreed. Rowan was the most pitiful one here. She laughed and said, “Don’t be discouraged, Rowan. I believe you can also get into a good university. You can do it!”“I have to get into the same university that my brothers went to. If I fail, I’ll... retake the exam.”He wanted to say that if he failed, he would slap himself twice. However, after thinking about it, it was better not to put his foot in his mouth, so he changed his mind.Zachary turned to glance at his brother before returning to focusing on driving. “If you fail, don’t say that you’re my brother.”Rowan was speechless.“Zachary
Grandma May was actually in denial of her feelings of schadenfreude.Serenity stayed up the whole last night and only drank a cup of coffee this morning, so she was feeling tired now.“I’ll call my sister and ask her how Sonny is.”After the call, she learned that Elisa and her mother had visited Sonny with gifts. However, Serenity knew the main purpose of their visit.“Sis, did Mrs. Stone say anything?”Serenity did not reveal the other matter to her sister.“She didn’t say anything. She just felt heartbroken that Sonny had suffered. Elisa scolded the Reptons family for a good half an hour.”Her sister’s friends and in-laws were more powerful than her own husband and in-laws, which made her even more sad.How blind was she to have married a scumbag like Hank?How dare a father like him compete with her for Sonny’s custody?When the divorce lawsuit went to court, she would provide the photos of Sonny’s injuries from the physical abuse to the judge. She believed that the judge
Zachary went back to their little home with Serenity in his arms.As soon as the door was open, the pet dog rushed over.“Get out of the way!”Zachary gave a hushed roar, and the little thing lay on the ground obediently, not daring to come any closer.It knew that its male owner did not like it very much.Fortunately, he did not abuse it or deprive it of food and water.Ring ring ring...Zachary’s phone rang.He was still carrying Serenity and could not spare a hand to answer the phone.The phone stopped ringing.It should be from Josh. Zachary instructed him to call every ten minutes so he would have an excuse to leave.However, there was no need for that now.Audrey and her daughter had already left Liberty’s house.He carried Serenity back to her room, placed her on the bed, and covered her with the quilt before calling Josh. “You don’t have to call anymore.”“I don’t? I was thinking about whether to spam you.”Zachary’s lips twitched.“Have you eaten? Do you want
Zachary said stubbornly, “No!”“Really?”“Really!”Serenity straightened her back and said with a regretful expression, “I was thinking that if you didn’t want me to leave, I could tell Mrs. Lane to stay at my sister’s house while I accompany you. Since you don’t need it, I’d better go keep my sister company.“The weather is getting colder. It sure feels like winter is approaching. I always feel uncomfortable sleeping alone during this time.” Serenity sighed.Zachary was speechless.‘Is she implying that if I said I didn’t want her to leave, she would hug the pillow and quilt and hog my bed?’Serenity was still carrying a regretful look. She reached out and patted his face twice, before trailing her finger down to his neck, and finally rubbing his chest. When Zachary’s eyes deepened and he stared intently at her, she withdrew her wandering hand.“I’m hungry. Let’s eat. I want to see if the dishes my husband cooked for me are any good.”Serenity was done teasing him and left.
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
The Queen family was well-educated and had few members. Sophia had heard of other families fighting over power, but Caroline’s experience shocked her the most. Maybe it was because the Queens was close to her. Sophia quite liked Caroline as well. “How could they… You’re their biological sister!”Caroline smiled bitterly. “Are you having a fever, Carol? Your face is red.”Sophia touched Caroline’s forehead. She said, “You’re burning up. Have you informed the doctor, Mr. Fletcher?”Darren replied, “The fever started at dawn. Ms. Caroline caught a cold. Her fever subsided after taking medication once, but it returned.“It’s time for her to take her medicine.”Sophia spotted the lunch boxes. She told Darren, “Go have your lunch, Mr. Fletcher. I can look after Carol.”“It’s okay, Mrs. Queen. I can eat on my own,” said Caroline embarrassedly. It was her first time feeling cared for by someone her mother’s age. Although Sophia was not part of her family, the lady treated her
Caroline looked toward Darren. She said, “In my younger days, I often caught colds and coughs when the weather was too cold. The coughing will last throughout the changing of seasons. Therefore, I’ve been looking after my health since I grew up.“My immune system strengthened a lot. I haven’t been coughing for years.“I’m not worried.”Caroline stared at Darren lovingly. “I have nothing to be worried about with you here.”Darren pinched her face lightly with affection. “I’m still sulking. I didn’t want you to risk yourself, yet I couldn’t stop you. I’ll only feel better once you recover.”He was Caroline’s assistant and had to heed her orders. Even if they were dating, he still had to follow her arrangements.“Okay. Don’t be angry. I won’t take risks like this again in the future. You’ll age quickly if you get angry frequently. If that happens, your hair might turn gray before I even grow old.“We promised to grow old together.”Under Caroline’s gentle coaxing, Darren’s expre
Darren became an orphan when he was only a few years old. After losing everything, he was collected and trained by the training center to be an all-rounder assistant. He could not remember how he lost his parents as he was too young back then. Since he had no memories, there was no pain.Nevertheless, he had seen others interacting with their parents. He knew parents should love their children. There were not many parents who would not shower their children with love. Ms. Caroline was too unlucky to have met one. “I don’t care. I don’t care about my dad at all.”Caroline asked, “Has my dad asked you to give him money? He doesn’t need money. He just wants to know about his sons’ conditions.“Having lived for so many years, he was probably aware of the consequences of his sons’ plan and had advised them not to do it. They didn’t listen to him, so he’s just hoping to get lucky and waiting for some news.”Hunter must have known that her brothers were going to murder her. Sinc