Angela lifted her black grape-like eyes and looked at Ivan in front of her. She was beautiful, like a delicate doll. However, this doll looked a little disheveled now. She had hidden in the flowerbed for two hours. Her dress was torn, and her face and hands were covered in dirt. The pink dress had turned a muddy yellow, and her fluffy hair had several decaying leaves stuck to it. Her whole body was a mess, except for her eyes that remained crystal clear and innocent. Ben held her with disdain. How dare such a dirty child hug Mr. Winston? If the child's parents were here, they would probably be bankrupt from the compensation they’d need to pay. "Throw her out!" Luke reluctantly ordered. It was too cruel to throw such a beautiful little girl out like this. But he knew Mr. Winston had serious cleanliness OCD. If the little girl continues to stay here, her outcome will likely be very tragic. Mr. Winston can harm his own son, let alone a dirty little girl. Luke signaled to Ben to quic
Ivan held Angela in his arms and turned back into the Winston Group building. Two hours ago, Luke told him that a little girl had sneaked in, and if he had come downstairs earlier, Angela wouldn't have been so scared. Such a beautiful little girl, almost becoming a little stray. The crowd at the entrance looked at each other in surprise."Luke, what happened?" Ben widened his eyes. "Mr. Winston took the little girl away, nothing bad, right?"Luke thought of Ivan's tone earlier and shook his head. "It should be fine. Keep an eye out at the entrance, maybe the girl's parents who lost her will come."Ben nodded quickly and returned to his work station. Luke rubbed his chin. Why did he feel like the little girl's eyes resembled Mr. Winston's a bit? If he didn't know any better, he would almost think that she was the Winston family's child.Ivan carried Angela to the top floor. "How did you end up here?"He gazed at Angela, making an effort to soften his voice. Angela looked at him with w
Haley had finished discussing the hiring matters with Justin and was preparing to have a cup of coffee. Her phone began buzzing urgently on the table. She glanced at it and saw it was Heidi. The children had been in preschool for some time, and Heidi had never contacted her during school hours.Haley put down her cup and answered the call. "Heidi?"“Ms. DeRoss, something has happened …" Heidi's voice tremble, "Angela is missing.""What did you say?!" Haley's voice suddenly rose. She found a quieter place and tried to remain calm. "Heidi, what happened? Please tell me slowly.""During morning exercise today, Todd and Angela disappeared. I checked the surveillance footage. At 8:40 in the morning, Angela left the preschool alone. Ten minutes later, Todd sneaked out of the preschool to find his sister..."Haley's heart tightened. "So you're saying Angela has been missing for two hours?!" She tightly gripped the phone and grabbed her car keys, ready to leave."Ms. DeRoss, Todd didn't want
Todd followed her instructions and zoomed in on the car, and the license plate number was clearly visible. Haley's heart sank instantly. She had seen this car before; it was Emily's newly bought sports car.In the surveillance footage, the car happened to drive past Angela. Could it be that Emily took Angela away?Haley immediately bit her lower lip. She closed her eyes, then opened them, her eyes filled with determination. "Todd, you go back to preschool and continue your classes."Todd hesitated, "Mommy, I want to find Angela.""I think I know where Angela is. Be good and go back to preschool." Haley gently guided him back into the car and pressed the accelerator towards preschool. Todd turned his head and looked at her. Haley's face turned cold, and bad suspicions began to emerge in his heart. Mommy's appearance didn't seem like she was going to find his sister. It was clearly like seeking revenge.Sitting in the back seat, Todd clicked the mouse, and the computer screen instantly
"Buzz, buzz, buzz..." Her phone suddenly vibrated. Haley glanced and saw that Ivan was calling her. This phone call felt like a heavy blow to Haley's heart. If she killed Emily in the accident, she would surely face legal consequences. But what about Todd?Todd had never had a father, and if Haley went to prison, Todd would lose his mother too.There were many ways to seek revenge, but Haley couldn't let herself become a murderer.She made a sudden turn, grazing Emily's shoulder with the car as she drove past.Emily was startled and her high heels wobbled, causing her to fall by the roadside. Haley drove the car to the back of the DeRoss family mansion before slamming on the brakes. Taking a deep breath, she reluctantly answered the continuously vibrating phone."Ms. DeRoss is quite occupied, taking so long to answer the call," came Ivan's impatient voice from the other end.Haley spoke slowly, "Mrs. Winston, what can I do for you?"If it weren't for this call from Ivan, she might ha
Haley sighed and touched her daughter's hair, rubbing her forehead with her face.She looked up at the man sitting at the CEO's desk and softly said, "Thank you, Mr. Winston, for taking care of my daughter."Playing with the pen in his hand, Ivan's gaze was ice-cold as he said, "If I hadn't happened to encounter her, your daughter might have been lost by now.""Mr. Winston, why is my daughter at the Winston Group?" Haley pressed her lips together and asked in a calm voice.She wasn't worried when Todd went out alone, as he was clever and could take care of himself.But Angela was like a delicate flower raised in a greenhouse, never having left home alone, let alone with a communication barrier. She couldn't understand why Angela would come here.Leaning back in his chair, Ivan replied coldly, "I also want to ask you that. Your daughter is still so young, how could she come to the Winston Group alone?" There was a hint of probing in his voice.Haley narrowed her eyes and said, "Mr. Win
Haley felt relieved after reaching the bottom of the building with Angela in her arms. The little girl let go of her neck, full of self-blame and guilt on her face."Angela, tell mommy, how did you come to the Winston Group building?" Haley asked in a low voice. The little girl just stared blankly with her big eyes, unable to say a word.Haley sighed, "You only need to nod or shake your head. Did someone bring you here?" Angela shook her head."Then, did you come here on your own initiative?" Angela nodded.Haley pursed her lips. She really wanted to ask Angela why she came here, and how she knew about this place. But Angela couldn't speak, so it would be pointless to ask.She gently touched her daughter's hair and noticed that Angela had changed her clothes. She was wearing a pink dress when she left in the morning, but now she had on a set of slightly oversized long-sleeved pants.And when she had just arrived at Ivan's office, Angela seemed to have just finished bathing.What happe
Forget it, they are partners after all. She would have plenty of opportunities to make it up to him in the future. Haley put Angela in the back seat and drove to the police station to close the case, and then went to the preschool to pick up Todd."Ms. DeRoss, I'm truly sorry! It was our preschool's negligence. I promise to watch over Angela closely from now on and ensure that today's incident won't happen again!" apologized Heidi, full of guilt.Haley knew it wasn't solely the preschool's fault. Holding the hands of her two children, she spoke softly. She said, "Todd, Angela, from now on, you should listen to Heidi. Even if you want to go somewhere, you must tell Heidi. Understood?"Todd nodded and said, "Don't worry, Mommy. I will take care of my little sister." Angela opened her eyes wide, looking confused, before nodding.Heidi said, "Angela is really adorable. Say goodbye to the teacher, we'll see each other tomorrow."Angela obediently raised her arm and waved in response. Consi
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