Haley glanced at her watch, on her wrist, and saw that it was already past 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Preschool was about to let out. She had unknowingly spent so much time at the Winston family's place.Originally, she had intended to visit the studio, but now it was getting late, so she had to go straight to the preschool to pick up the two children. Haley drove to the preschool and waited at the entrance for a while, then she saw the two children walking out, holding hands. Surrounding the two children were also a group of other kids.“Todd, you were amazing today. You must be the most talented kid at our preschool!”"Todd, you look so handsome. I want to be friends with you too. Can you sit with me tomorrow?"“I want to sit with my sister,” Todd replied calmly. “If you want to be friends with my sister, then I will be your friend too.”"Angela is so beautiful. If I play with her, I will surely become a beautiful princess too!""I want to be friends with Angela too!"So, the other
Haley carried the ingredients into the villa and said as she walked, "This is my grandmother's house.""Your grandmother sure treats you well," Thomas clicked his tongue twice, "But let's be clear, this house belongs to your grandmother, not your name. How about this, marry me, and I'll buy you a Bund waterfront villa with only your name on it."Haley kicked at him, "Thomas, if you keep talking nonsense, just get out!""Ouch, Haley, be gentle, that hurt!" Thomas dodged with Angela in his arms. "I was wrong, I won't tease you anymore."He sat on the floor in the living room, playing with building blocks with Angela. Todd glanced at his sister and habitually opened his laptop, logging into his personal account. Suddenly, his eyebrows furrowed, and a hint of coldness appeared in his gentle eyes. Someone was trying to crack the encrypted surveillance video he secured. Half of the one hundred and eight passwords had already been decoded. He quickly opened the program page and entered batt
Sunlight streamed in through the balcony as Haley rubbed her hair and sat up. She stared blankly, for three seconds, before getting up to tidy up and wash. After dropping the children off at preschool today, she had to go to the Martínez Group for a new product launch and then to the Winston Group in the afternoon to discuss cooperation.She opened the closet and picked out a professional-style dress. Just as she finished changing, she heard a commotion downstairs."Who allowed you to live here? You have three seconds to get out!" came Justin's furious voice from the living room.He had come over today to pick up Haley and go to the Martínez Group for the launch.Little did he expect that as soon as he entered, he would see a man, in just his underwear, lying on the sofa, fast asleep. Justin was instantly enraged. Thomas was also quite angry. He had slept in the study last night, but there were too many mosquitoes, so he had no choice but to make do with the sofa in the living room.
Haley didn't raise an eyebrow and calmly replied, "His name is Thomas, a friend I met abroad. He just arrived in Cuenca yesterday and has nowhere to go, so I let him stay for one night."Seeing her sincere expression, Justin breathed a sigh of relief and said softly, "He claimed to be the owner of this place.""I, I didn't say that!" Thomas shrank his neck and weakly explained, "I'm sorry, you misunderstood... What I meant was, it's not appropriate for a guest to be dressed like this. I, I'll go change my clothes..." And off he scurried, looking dejected.Justin said earnestly, "Haley, as a single mother, it's not a good idea to have a man stay overnight at home. If he has nowhere to go, you can let him stay at the Martínez family's place for a night."Haley obediently nodded and said, "Justin, please don't worry about me. I'll go to the Martínez family's place after dropping the kids off at preschool."Thomas poked his head out and shouted, "Haley, you go focus on your work. I'll tak
“I am part of the Martínez family. I am the marketing manager. Who dares to say anything?” Barbara snapped back angrily.Haley calmly said, “Of course, I won’t say anything. I just think it’s better to do some research before questioning others. Uncle, the launch is about to start. Let’s go out.”Steven nodded and led Haley towards the venue of the launch. Barbara kicked the table out of anger, but it was too hard, and her toes hurt, almost to the point of falling off. The Martínez Group had added a gimmick to this product launch, using a new concept for smart products to attract many people.Even Keith, who had just arrived in Cuenca last night and hadn’t even adjusted to the time difference, decided to attend the launch first. With the smart market thriving, the Winston Group also planned to invest in this industry, so Keith wanted to see how other companies were playing the game. With his assistant holding the invitation, he entered the venue and sat in the last row. Just as they
No wonder she made his mother so wary. Perhaps, it was their innate blood relation that prevented him from hating this woman. But as long as he thought of her purpose for coming back, which was to disrupt the DeRoss family, he could only suppress the favorable impression in his heart. His mother gave him life, so he had to protect her fully. Haley stood on the stage, always feeling a sharp gaze staring at her. She followed the gaze, she could only see a crowded mass of people. When she tried to search carefully, a microphone was thrown at her."Haley, everyone is very curious about your current situation with the DeRoss family. Could you please share?" The incident had caused a huge uproar, and the onlookers couldn't contain their curiosity any longer. Haley withdrew her gaze and calmly responded to them."I am the daughter of the DeRoss family, and that is something that can never change. The family has transferred 25% of the shares to my name. I am now the third largest shareholde
Keith stood at the end of the corridor with a cold expression on his face. This woman brought disaster to the DeRoss family four years ago, and now she’s targeting the DeRoss family again. It is understandable that his mother wants to teach her a lesson.There's nothing wrong with mother venting her anger. Hopefully, after this incident, this woman won't keep opposing mother all the time. Keith turned around and walked away. But there were four burly men walking towards him."This job is really a good one. The employer said that that woman is Cuenca's number one beauty, a beauty that no wealthy person can catch up with. Yet, she fell into our hands."Keith suddenly stopped in his tracks, he looked up at the four approaching men. All four of them were over six feet tall, with beefy faces and a malicious glimmer in their eyes. No matter what these men were here for, Haley wouldn't benefit from it. The four men didn't even notice a child standing in the corner as they continued to discus
"Who are you and what do you want with me?" Haley calmly continued to retreat.The four men approached step by step, "We heard that Ms. DeRoss is the most beautiful woman in Cuenca. We came to see how Ms. DeRoss managed to reach the top."The burly man in front, suddenly, reached out and grabbed Haley's wrist. She was prepared and smashed the glass water cup with a bang, using the sharp shards of glass to cut the man's wrist."Bitch, how dare you attack me!" The burly man was furious and rushed forward.Haley grabbed his arm and threw him over her shoulder. This man was too heavy, weighing around two hundred pounds. She almost exerted all her strength to throw him to the ground.“This bitch really knows martial arts!”The remaining three burly men exchanged glances, secretly sneering, fortunately, they were prepared. The man standing behind, took out a bottle of powder from his pocket, when Haley wasn't paying attention, and sprinkled it towards her direction. Haley only felt a stran
After a thorough read, she folded the document and spoke up, her voice indifferent, "Kid, who drafted this contract?""Our young master did," replied Russell, “Ms. DeRoss, if everything looks fine to you, the contract will take effect once you sign it."Haley chuckled. She was striking, exuding a bewitching charm.And yet, within the depths of her clear eyes, there was a peculiar blend of innocence and mystery.Keith felt his defenses soften and his detachment give way when he saw her smile. It was as if a hole had been poked through his armor of indifference.Realizing too late that he had been staring at Haley for a while, frustration surged within him.This woman must have used that same smile to ensnare Dad and confuse Owen..."I see a problem," she said, her smile vanishing.She leaned forward, a sense of authority emanating from her.Looking Keith straight in the eye, her lips twisted into a disdainful curve, "You should be in school at your age, not out here trying to show off.
Transmedia Tech, an internet media company.Two years ago, there were rumors of its bankruptcy, and after being acquired, it suddenly came back to life and became a leading player in the internet industry.However, there is not much information about this company on the internet.Haley glanced at Transmedia Tech's profile and said lightly, "What time did they make an appointment?""Half past two, at Pennie Coffee."After finishing her work in the morning, Haley drove straight to Pennie Coffee.She arrived ten minutes early, ordered a cup of coffee, and began to read the information on the internet.She searched for the company again, but she still couldn't find much info, and even the investor info behind it had been removed.It can be seen that this company has a lot of connections.She just didn’t know why this company would take a fancy to her newly opened studio.Haley waited for about five minutes before she heard footsteps outside the private room.She straightened her collar an
Keith thought that Haley had also planned to gain the trust of the entire Winston family through Owen. This woman's quite a schemer. Keith knew he had to be cautious......Haley picked up the kids and went home. When she was cooking dinner, she received a video call from Owen."Haley, why didn't you come to see me?" Owen's voice was still weak, "I'm so bored here in the hospital all alone. Could you come keep me company? I want to hear stories..."Haley shook the ladle in her hand, "It's too late today; I'll come see you tomorrow and bring you some cookies I've baked.""You're the best, Haley!" Owen's enthusiasm was palpable.Haley’s lips curled into a smile, "Get some rest now, and don't stay up too late, okay?""How about a goodnight kiss, then?" Owen puckered his lips towards the phone screen, a bandage still wrapped around his head, looking both pitiful and comically adorable.Laughing, Haley pressed a kiss to her phone screen and then ended the call.Carrying the freshly stewed
"The timing is too perfect, isn't it?" Keith said slowly, "Owen got in a car accident, and Haley just happened to be there and then saved him by donating her blood to him. What a coincidence!"His voice was deep and raspy, unlike a four-year-old boy.Ivan's eyes narrowed, "You think Haley staged the accident?""She had a motive," Keith pressed his lips together firmly and continued, "Surely you're aware of the bad blood between Mom and Haley...""It wasn't her," Ivan stated flatly.He had already been briefed on the accident. It was indeed premeditated. Someone had the audacity to target his son. But that someone couldn't possibly be Haley."Dad, are you so certain it isn't this woman when the investigation is still ongoing?" Keith's voice chilled, "What if it turns out to actually be Haley?""She wouldn't hurt Owen," Ivan looked at him with conviction. "She saved your brother; you shouldn't suspect her."Darkness crept into Keith's eyes.His moth
Taking a deep breath, he said, "Don't worry, Mom, I'll have someone look into it. I won't let anyone hurt Owen."After she voluntarily donated blood to save Owen, it's unlikely she'd attempt anything against him again anytime soon..." Emily's voice was husky and choked with emotion. "Now that she's gained your dad's trust, I’m sure she'll make her move... Keith, I’m really scared she’ll hurt you or Owen. I’d rather she came after me...""It won't happen."Keith ended the phone call.He turned to his assistant, Russell, and said coolly, “Check out that car accident near the DeRoss Group building. See what that was all about.”Russell nodded, “Will do, Mr. Winston.”He pulled out his phone and started making calls...Keith instructed his driver, "To the hospital."As the car glided smoothly down the road, they hadn't even reached the hospital when Russell received a call from the traffic police.The majority of the time, Maple Street is congested, w
Keith had been involved in the family business since the age of three.The company under his operation, Transmedia Tech, was a subsidiary that the Winston Group had planned to divest from two years ago.He took over the day before its planned bankruptcy.Now, after a year of shrewd management, Transmedia had become one of the top three most profitable subsidiaries of Winston Group.Keith, having just finished a meeting, felt a nagging unrest.He was usually a calm person, but his current anxiety exposed a vulnerability reflective of a four-year-old child."Young Master, you've pretty much wrapped up all your work for today. Perhaps you should head back and rest?" suggested his young assistant, Russell, with due respect.Keith shook his head.He sensed discomfort.Had something happened to Owen?He was about to reach for his phone to call Alfred when his phone began to vibrate.He glanced at it. The incoming call was from his mother.Ti
It seemed he didn't really mind the idea of marrying this woman...Haley, with her acute senses, caught Ivan's stare and quickly changed the subject.Her eyes shifted to Owen and she spoke with authoritative firmness, “It might not hurt now, but once the anesthesia wears off, you’re going to be in tears from the pain. You’ll understand then just how terrifying a car accident can be! Owen, if you ever want to see me again, just give me a call. I'll come pick you up myself. If you dare sneak out like you did today, I won't come to see you ever again!”Her face stern, she emphasized each word, her tone leaving no room for protest.Tears pooled in Owen's eyes as he looked at Haley with a plaintive expression, “I won’t ever do it again, Haley... I just missed you too much, I couldn't help myself. I just wanted you to hug and kiss me...”His big eyes were brimming with sorrow, making him look like a forlorn puppy.Haley's heart softened, and she bent down to plant
Chapter 181Ivan took a seat on the other side of the bed.He stated calmly, "Alfred, get some sports drinks, please."Alfred promptly went to carry out the request.In the hospital room, aside from the slumbering Owen, only the two of them remained, surrounded by the sterile scent of disinfectant.With a muted voice, Ivan said, "Thank you for this. Whatever you need, just tell me.""I have a soft spot for Owen. I was more than willing to save him, and…" Haley's voice faltered, a slight bitterness on her tongue, "he must have snuck out to find me. That's how he got into an accident..."Her voice trailed off, her gaze lowered, shielding all emotions.Ivan paused before saying, "He's really fond of you."A gentle smile curled on Haley's lips.Looking at Owen resting in the hospital bed, she couldn't help but reach out and gently touch his face. She felt an immediate warmth towards him when she first saw him at the airport. Owen kept coming back
His opened his mouth, about to speak, but his phone began to vibrate in his palm, displaying Alfred's name.The sight of Alfred's name sent a sharp pain through Ivan's heart.Whenever Alfred reached out, it was always a matter of urgency.With Owen in surgery and Alfred calling, could it mean…The typically composed man's fingers trembled, requiring two attempts to tap the answer button."Sir, Owen's going to be alright!" Alfred exclaimed, choked with joy, "The surgery's nearly finished and doctors say he should wake up by tonight if all goes well!"Ivan felt a great relief.He walked briskly towards the hospital, concurrently asking, "How was the blood resolved?"He'd made calls, but a resolution couldn't have come this fast."Sir, you might not know yet, but Miss DeRoss, Owen's aunt Haley — she's got the negative blood type!" Alfred rushed out his words, "When Owen had his accident, Haley was there, she brought him to the hospital, and she volun