Sylvia did not know that Liam said all that to Odell after she left.When she got home, she washed up and rested like in previous days.For the next few days, she did not see Odell when she went to see the two little ones. Perhaps he had gone on a business trip.However, it was good that she did not see him. That way, she did not have to force herself to greet him.A few days later.That morning, the two little ones came over to her early in the morning.Sylvia promised Simon to attend his painting exhibition, so she took the two little ones with her.The place where the exhibition was held was near their preschool.When they arrived at the pace, Isabel ran inside with joy.Liam quickly followed her and grabbed her little hand.Sylvia followed behind them.Even though they were young, they looked like they knew how to admire the paintings.Sylvia could not help but laugh.Then, she received a message from Edmund.He asked, "Lil Syl, are you free at noon? I'll treat you to
Liam said, "Don't touch my sister's face."He had a childish voice, but his tone was as mature as a grown-up.However, Edmund naturally would not bicker with a small child. He smirked and said, "Okay, I won't touch."At this point, Sylvia also came back.She asked suspiciously, "Isabel and Liam, what are you two talking about with Edmund?""Nothing," Liam answered and pulled Isabel to his side.Sylvia looked at Edmund.He smiled and said, "Your kids are really cute, Lil Syl.Sylvia smiled. "Let's go and continue to view the exhibition.""Sure." He immediately followed behind Sylvia.Isabel and Liam looked back at him in unison.Liam's gaze was wary, while Isabel carried a scowl.Edmund narrowed his eyes at them.Isabel narrowed her eyes back.However, Liam turned his head away coldly and ignored him.It looked like an action from a businessman.Simon was the famous Aquila, and many people were rushing to see his paintings.Sylvia was Simon's friend and knew a lot about
The meal was very lively.Edmund wanted to send them back.However, Sylvia refused and went back with the children.She drove on the way back.Isabel and Liam sat in the child seats in the back.Liam was quiet.Isabel chattered endlessly."Mom, what's that mister's name again?"Sylvia replied, "Edmund Price.""What does he do?"Sylvia did not know exactly what he did either, so she said, "I've only met him twice, so I'm not familiar with him yet, but he should probably be in business."Isabel asked, "Is he a mob boss?"Through the rearview mirror, Sylvia saw the glimmering light in Isabel's eyes.She was anticipating Edmund to be a mob boss.Sylvia's lips twitched, and she smiled back at her. "I don't think so. He's just in business."Isabel sighed. "Fine."The car was quiet for a short time before she piped up again."Although he's not that fair and good-looking as Baddie, he's quite interesting." She gave a serious evaluation of Edmund. "Mommy, remember to take me al
"Because I said so."Sylvia ignored him.Odell said angrily, "Why aren't you saying anything?""There's nothing I have to say.""Do you not understand what I'm saying?""Yeah, I don't."Odell was speechless.His chest suddenly felt even more stuffy.After a long time, he said, "If I find out that you came into contact with him again, you'll never see the children again."Then, he hung up the phone.In Sylvia's residence.She sat on the bed and cursed at the phone, "Lunatic."...The next afternoon, Sylvia bumped into Edmund when attending an activity held by the Art Association.The event was open to the public, so anyone could participate.Sylvia did not expect Edmund to come. It seemed like he was really interested in art.She explained the event to him.When it was over, it was just in time to have dinner.Edmund said to her, "Lil Syl, it's getting late. Let me treat you to dinner."Sylvia did not think much about it and simply agreed.The weather was very cold,
After Edmund left, Sylvia went straight to the old Carter mansion.The two little ones had finished dinner and were building a snowman in the yard.Although Liam was not interested in building the snowman, Isabel was very enthusiastic.Not only did she want to play but she also yelled at him to help her.Thus, he had no choice but to go with her.When Sylvia arrived, she heard Isabel shouting, "Liam, hurry up and bring me the little pepper!""...""Liam, roll two more balls for me!""..."She stood in front of two snowmen about her height, fiddling with her little hands and shouting at Liam.Liam's small figure was busier than her, running to the kitchen and then back out to make snowballs.His chubby face flushed red.Sylvia went up to them.She smiled and asked, "Isabel and Liam, do you want me to help?"When Isabel and Liam saw her coming, their eyes instantly brightened."Yep!" Isabel exclaimed."What should I do?" Sylvia asked.Isabel pointed to the spot behind th
A round mass of snow hit Odell's chest and splashed onto his chin.The busy yard instantly fell silent.The guards who got carried away while playing quickly retreated while Isabel and Liam also froze.Only Sylvia laughed sheepishly. That was because she was the one who threw the snowball.She originally wanted to hit Isabel's butt, but she raised her hand too high and used too much force. She did not even notice Odell standing in front of the door.At that moment, Odell pursed his lips coldly. His expression was shrouded and cloudy, appearing a little scary.Sylvia hurriedly explained, "Sorry, Odell, I didn't mean to."Odell's expression was still stony.At that moment, Isabel ran over and said, "Mommy, just ignore him. Let's continue playing."She obviously had not played enough.Odell did not say anything, and since Sylvia already apologized, she stopped paying attention to him. Then, she called out to Isabel and Liam. "Isabel, Liam, go hide. I'll find you!"Isabel was in
Sylvia blinked sheepishly. "Sorry, Odell. I accidentally hit you."Odell's lips pulled down coldly. Then, he walked toward her with large strides.Isabel suddenly screamed, "Mommy, run away!"Sylvia was stunned for a moment and quickly ran to the side.Both Isabel and Liam also ran up to her, moving to protect her.However, Odell took off the heads of the two little snowmen in each hand, stunning Isabel and Liam.Odell's eyes were fixed on Sylvia, and he did not even notice their changing expressions. He took large strides forward, his gaze appearing gloomy and terrifying.Sylvia was afraid that he would blow her head off and turned around to run.He immediately accelerated his pace and threw a large snowball at her, striking Sylvia's leg. As a result, she almost fell, but she continued to stumble forward.Isabel and Liam also snapped back to their senses. Liam was so angry that his little brows were scrunched up. Isabel puffed up her face and yelled, "You baddie! I'm going to
She had to go inside quickly and dry off. Otherwise, she would freeze.Sebastian nodded and went over with a guard to carry Isabel and Liam into the house.Soon, Sylvia and Odell were the only ones left in the yard.As Sylvia stood up and patted the snow on her behind, Odell gave her a side glance.Sylvia giggled. "Aren't you going in?"He looked at her coldly and asked, "Why did you come after eight tonight?"She was stunned. She was a little late because she had grilled steak with Edmund, but…"Wasn't it you who said that I could only come after 8 p.m.?"Odell's expression instantly turned cold.Sylvia quickly amended her words with a smile, "I went to the Art Association event this afternoon. The event ended late, so I came over a little late."Odell's expression eased slightly. Then, he turned around and went into the living room.Sylvia followed him in, going straight to the two little ones' room.After the two kids were carried in by force, Isabel scratched the door a
She was her usual self in every aspect. She put her heart into her job and never started trouble so long as nobody tried to start trouble with her. The crew cycled through their locations during their shoot. The constant travel made her skin break out slightly, but there were no other concerns otherwise. The shoot progressed very smoothly and within three months, they managed to wrap up everything at the mountainous region previously mentioned. It was nearly evening when they wrapped up the shoot. Holding a bouquet in hand, she took a group picture with the crew and celebrated with everyone. After that, she planned to hitch a ride with another crew member and leave for home. To their demise, some men in uniform who claimed to be the road maintenance technicians showed up to break the bad news to them. They mentioned that they had to repair some of the roads urgently and so the way home was temporarily obstructed. The director took his phone and called the city hotline fo
He remembered his first meeting with Isabel. She was sitting all by herself on the floor, in the middle of nowhere. Her vulnerable expression only made her more endearing. So, he managed to get her to go to his place and installed her in his home. He fell for her and paid careful attention to all her needs. It did not take long before Isabel caught feelings for him as well. The two of them got together in no time. Their days were plain and ordinary, but also very fulfilling, that was until he met Clarice. With the help of his father, his power struggle with Roland had reached a tipping point. It was at that opportune moment when Clarice’s father saw something in Roland and planned to wed his daughter Clarice to him to join up their families, which was a cause for alarm for Decker. He stressed over it for an entire night before approaching Clarice himself the very next day. Clarice quickly caught feelings for him as well. Furthermore, Roland had been foolish enough to reject
Decker was smiling quite earnestly at Isabel. Isabel threw a deeply suspicious look at him, then she glanced at the stack of documents laid out on top of the table in front of her. “Transferal of Shares.” She was dumbfounded. "I've gone through the contract, it’s safe to sign so go ahead.” Roland picked up a pen and handed it to her. "Roland, I..." "Sign it first, I’ll explain when we get home.” Isabel frowned and tried to protest. "I—" "Don't make me have to beg." Isabel did not know how to respond. Fine. She briefly scanned through the contract. The contract stated Decker’s agreement to transfer the remaining forty percent of his shares in Rockwell Corporation to her. Roland must have talked to the shareholders of Rockwell Corporation about this as well. They all regarded Isabel with polite smiles. Isabel had flipped through the final page of the document. She signed her name on one of the marked-out sections. She proceeded to sign all thr
They ended the call shortly after that. Isabel glanced at Martha and was hesitating if she should break the news right away. Martha seemed to have sensed her staring and suddenly turned to her with a flash of concern. "Isabel, what's wrong?" Isabel took a deep breath and broke the news. "Auntie, Master Rockwell just passed away." Martha's eyes widened. After a lengthy silence that lasted more than ten seconds, she started to break out in tears. She covered her face with her hands and expressed amid bouts of tears mixed with laughter, “Wonderful! About time! I hope he enjoys life in the underworld. God knows that someone like him will never deserve a spot in heaven!” Isabel did not know whether she should celebrate with Martha or console her. Soon, Martha began to collect herself. She briefly wiped away her tears and joyfully took Isabel's hand. "Isabel, let’s go shopping! I’m in such a good mood today, I’m going to go on a shopping spree!” "Okay. But Roland w
Isabel held onto Roland's hand firmly during the entire drive home after leaving the hospital. It was because Roland’s hands were cold and rigid. Isabel sat with him and tirelessly rubbed his hand to keep them warm. After one hand was warm, she would shift her attention to the other. By the time she managed to warm the other hand, the original hand would turn cold again. She decided it was easier to take both of his hands and caress them with the warmth of her palms. Roland looked at her with a gentle glow deep within his eyes. “Thank you, Isabel,” he said softly. Thank you for loving him, and for sticking by his side all this time despite circumstances. Isabel smiled. “I’m just warming your hands, it's no big deal. Still, you’re welcome." Roland smiled faintly and left it at that. Soon, his hands began to warm up off of the heat of Isabel’s palms. When Isabel felt that his hands were no longer freezing, she prepared to pull her hand away. That was when
Decker looked nothing like his usual self. The pompous, arrogant man who held himself far above others and who expected everyone around him to kiss up to him because he was superior to them all. It was as if he had been plunged not only to Earth but a pile of swamp. He had completely lost his usual grace. Isabel said crossly, "Decker, have you gone mental? Is everything going on too much for you?” “Yeah, could you help me?” he said with a coy smile, “Just one hug should be enough to take care of it all.” Isabel rolled her eyes. Without warning, he suddenly braced himself and lunged right at Isabel, stepping past Brandon who was caught off guard by this sudden attack. Isabel barely had time to react. Just when it seemed like his hand was about to graze Isabel, a long pair of arms seized Isabel from behind and jerked her backward. It was swiftly followed by a long, muscular leg shooting outward right next to Isabel. Thump! Decker was kicked to the ground.
"How did you and Roland meet?" Decker suddenly asked. Isabel turned away, fully intent on ignoring him. "Did you meet each other at Carter Corporation? Or did you meet him outside of work and gradually fell in love with him, then you decided to set him up with a position at Carter Corporation?” What did he mean by that? Was he insinuating that Roland was relying on her to snake his way into Carter Corporation? She threw a sideways, belittling look at him. "Do you think Roland is anything like you? He wouldn’t latch on another woman to further his goals.” Decker was not upset by this as he continued with a smug smile. "Oh? Then how did he get into Carter Corporation?" “He proved his worth.” Isabel realized that she had been roped in by Decker again. Nevertheless, she continued, “He passed the interviews himself. I was one of the interviewers and initially planned to dismiss him, but he managed to leave a very good impression on my father and the rest was history.” "
"I never meant to kill him! Roland, you have to believe me. Why would I still try to deceive you when I’m in this state?” “In that case, you can go ahead and explain things to him in the afterlife.” Master Rockwell was taken aback by this, his demeanor tightened. "You...you..." Roland looked at him calmly. "Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. It was Grandma and my parents who raised me. They instilled morals and virtue into me and made sure I’d grow into a decent man.” Master Rockwell was briefly relieved to hear this, but before he could rid himself of his trepidation, Roland continued in a dark voice, "But I won’t forget about you and Decker bribing all those media outlets to defame Isabel. I know you manipulated the stock prices to try to kick me out of the corporation. I’ll make sure to settle our score through the legal system.” If convicted guilty, they would have to rot in prison. “Roland… listen to me, Roland. Decker is your uncle. If you want revenge, you can come
Master Rockwell must have heard their shifting movements and opened his eyes. When he recognized the faces of Roland and Isabel, there was a brief glow in his murky eyes. He motioned to the nurse to have her help him sit up from the bed. After he managed to position himself seated up against the head of the bed, he asked the nurse to leave. Then he cast a loving, tender smile on Roland and Isabel. “Roland, Isabel, please have a seat.” Roland said disinterestedly, "We have things to get to, just hurry up and tell us what you have to say." Isabel stayed silent. A look flashed in Master Rockwell's eyes. Then, he turned to Isabel and expressed regretfully, "Isabel, I’m a foolish old man, it was me who told Decker to leak pictures of you two. He had no choice because I forced him to do so. If you have to blame someone, blame me!” Isabel frowned. She was somewhat impressed by how smoothly the old man switched his mask from one to another. From a forlorn and sad state t