[Alright. I'll give it a try.] Felicity nodded and replied.Vermont had just finished his morning routine when he found Felicity ordering some items on her phone at the dining table."You hungry already?" He yawned and asked.Felicity glanced at him and quickly shifted her focus back onto her phone. "Not really. I've picked up a few new recipes. I'll cook them for you tonight. I'm just pre-ordering the ingredients."Vermont's interest was piqued at the mention of Felicity's cooking. "What kind of dishes are you making?"Felicity kept it vague. "You'll find out tonight."'Having a little mystery isn't so bad. It doesn't matter if I know what she's cooking since her culinary skills are amazing. I bet I'd like those dishes anyway.'Just as Vermont was thinking about it, his phone vibrated.Felicity took a glance and saw that it was a message from someone in his contacts named [Wifey]:[Hey hubby, up for a game?]She paused and said, "Your wife just texted."Vermont was confused
Vermont was an incredibly smart individual. After being rejected by Felicity, he was genuinely sad and hurt. He frequented bars to drown his sorrows and avoided going home so he would not have to face her. Every time he saw her, his heart would flutter, and he would be reminded of the rejection.Vermont could employ hundreds of strategies to win her over, but they would all be meaningless. He wanted Felicity to be in a relationship with him willingly. However, she did not want that. Vermont understood that no amount of effort could change her lack of attraction toward him.During that time, he reasoned with himself to let go of his feelings since it was not mutual. He stayed away from Felicity and tried to stop thinking about her.However, after waking up at the police station following a night of heavy drinking one day, he heard from the police that he had brought another woman home. Felicity had been so furious that she called the police. This led him to form a conjecture.'Maybe
Albert assumed that Hylda had turned him in for the accident seven years ago. 'It had to be her! Since she had shown no mercy, I wouldn't hesitate to fight back either. After all, I didn't do a thing that would lead to the car crash back then. Even if I were convicted of the crime, I'd be considered an accomplice at most with a good lawyer.'Albert's mind raced with various thoughts. Finally, the door to the interrogation room swung open. The police began the process of collecting his personal information.Albert was visibly on edge. Without waiting for the officer to speak, he blurted out, "Has Hylda been apprehended, sir? Did she rat me out? What did she tell you? Did she pin all the blame on me?"The police officer paused and looked at him while saying. "Sorry, we can't disclose that information."Hearing this, Albert immediately confirmed his suspicions. "She's trying to frame me and use me as a scapegoat! You have to investigate this case thoroughly, officer!" He exclaimed.T
Just like what happened seven years prior, the police inquired about what Stella could recall from the accident. She recounted the memories etched vividly in her mind, leaving nothing out of her testimony."Albert wasn't inclined to dig deeper into the truth back then. He told me that my mom could be held criminally responsible if it was found that her depression had relapsed. He claimed that her condition would result in erratic behavior, which caused the accident. He also said that insurance wouldn't cover that and that he simply did not have the money to pay her medical bills."When, in fact, my mother's depression had been well under control for quite some time. She was not taking any antidepressants in the six months leading up to her accident. I have all her detailed medical records and prescription logs here," she continued."My mother had been gathering evidence of Albert's embezzlement and tax evasion six months before the accident. She had already drafted a divorce agreeme
Hylda no longer possessed the allure of her past. She was wearing the plainest clothes she could find, fearful of being recognized. She trimmed her long, flowy hair and no longer wore makeup. Hylda looked a decade older than before.As soon as the light flickered on, she instinctively hid. After days of evading capture, she had developed a fear of well-lit places."It's too bright," she said in a raspy voice.Ian felt for her and left a dim lamp on."What's your plan?" He sat across from her and asked.Hylda hesitated and said, "I've been thinking a lot these past few days. I've now figured out the things I did not understand before. None of this was a coincidence. She had planned everything out since the day of the wedding. She made me target Xenia out of jealousy and exposed Hugo's true identity, causing Albert to lose trust in me and freeze my accounts."She then targeted the kindergarten, causing me to lose my only source of income. Following that, she had Walter come and thr
Hylda froze and immediately tried to flee. But it was too late. One of the police officers tackled her to the ground and put her in handcuffs. Her face was drained of color. Hylda realized that her time was up and did not resist the arrest.As the police escorted her away, she stole a glance toward the corner where Ian stood. He looked expressionless. Suddenly, it all made sense to her, and she began to curse.Humans are selfish creatures. Hylda was at the end of her road and could no longer turn things around. 'I guess our ten-year relationship meant nothing to him. I used all my connections and means to get him married to Irene, yet this is how he repays me. Though, I can't blame him. He is now a part of the Moore family. Why would he want to derail his own life for me?'As Hylda was taken into custody, news of the suitcase murder case's perpetrator being caught spread like wildfire. The city, once fraught with anxiety and restlessness due to the case, became peaceful again.Hyld
Hylda had misunderstood Rainee's teachings. Rainee had imparted her with the art of survival, the ability to always have an exit strategy no matter the circumstances. Hence, Albert was the only one scared when Rainee wanted a divorce. On the other hand, Hylda relied on Albert like a parasite. She could not survive in this world once she was separated from him.Hylda finally looked up after a fit of laughter. There was a wave of calmness in her expression and determination in her gaze. "The accident was indeed no mere coincidence. It was all part of a scheme..."Hylda began to tell the police everything. She started to talk about when Albert seduced her to become his mistress and all that happened in the 20 years they were together. The details she disclosed matched up with the evidence Stella had provided. She even recounted the moment when Albert had planted the antidepressants at the crime scene to throw off the police.Hylda let the authorities know that Albert was not innocent;
Stella could not help but laugh upon hearing Sophia's claims. "Oh dear. Do you think I want to be associated with a family of murderers? You should probably keep your family in order."Having said that, Stella paid no further attention to Sophia and headed straight into the police station. Sophia clenched her teeth in anger and followed suit.When the two groups of visitors arrived, the police asked Albert whom he'd like to see first. Sophia was convinced that Albert would want to see her. After all, she was now the sole remaining member of the Jewell family. 'Even if Dad doesn't want to entrust all his assets to me, he would still require my assistance in clearing his name,' she thought.However, that was not the case. The police soon informed them that Albert had explicitly requested to see Stella.Stella was not the least bit surprised. A considerable amount of Albert's wealth was invested in Semiconductor Technology. His company was already running at a loss, and Sophia would r
Keegan moved from initial resistance to reluctantly listening, and eventually to questioning."Why do these novels portray men as so stupid and brainless, yelling at the female lead as if they have intermittent explosive disorder?""Is the male lead sick? Forcing the female lead to donate a kidney, is he out of his mind?""How many years would they get for calling the police in their world?""Why is he so dumb? The supporting actress claims the female lead pushed her into the water and he believes it? Is checking surveillance footage illegal?""Stella, are you making fun of me?""I can't learn this. It all feels so neurotic. What does the female lead see in him?"Stella retorted, "Who cares if it's neurotic? Just mimic that stupidity, that's how these innocent women like men who protect them like that."Keegan was very reluctant, but his brain was more compliant than his body. Without needing to study deliberately, everything he heard stuck in his mind.So when Keegan mentione
Keegan's expression darkened with anger. "You're being completely unreasonable!"Stella crossed her arms, wearing an expression that seemed challenging. "You let her take it. Let's see if I dare."Jaylene hadn't actually wanted those junk items in the first place; she was deliberately trying to stir up discord between them. Now that her goal was achieved, she put on a sympathetic look."Keegan, I don't want it anymore. Don't be angry. Your health is more important. Didn't the doctor say to keep your emotions stable?"Turning her head, she reproached Stella. "Stella, are you here to help Keegan recover his memory or just to provoke him?""Shut up, you brat! Do you even have a say here?"Acting under the guise of a drama, playing the role of someone lacking in manners, was incredibly satisfying.She’d wanted to curse this brat for a long time!Jaylene's lips twitched, but she held back, tearfully saying, "Stella, if you don't like me, I'll leave. There's no need to humiliate me l
Jaylene understood the situation perfectly. Even though she didn't particularly like these cold, mechanical devices, she put on a pretense of surprise, saying, "Really, Keegan?"Keegan nodded. "Choose one you like.""Keegan!" Before Stella could finish her sentence, she couldn't hold back her sharp voice, "With your pile of junk that I can't even touch normally, she takes a look and now you want to give it to her? What's the meaning of this?!"Keegan frowned, apparently not comprehending her current anger at all. "Jaylene gave me a gift, and I'm giving her one in return. What's the problem?""What problem?" Stella's eyes started to redden. "I can't touch them, so why should she be able to? Have you forgotten, or do you have inappropriate feelings for her?"Keegan's expression darkened. "This makes no sense!"Jaylene secretly delighted in this, hypocritically trying to calm things down, "Forget it, Keegan. Since Stella minds so much, I don't want it anymore. You've strained your r
The standoff lasted for over twenty minutes before Keegan grabbed a book and knocked the beetle off Jaylene's neck. The beetle fluttered twice and suddenly flew up, landing on Jaylene's face.Jaylene screamed, rolled her eyes, and fainted.As she collapsed, the bug flew off again."Jaylene?"Keegan called out to her.He looked up at Stella and said, "You go start the car, I'll carry her to the hospital."As he spoke, he signaled to Stella.She understood and coldly grunted, "So troublesome."Walking over to Jaylene, she squatted down beside her and slapped her face twice.Jaylene immediately opened her eyes and reached out to push her away. "What are you doing!"Stella was prepared and had already moved back before she could be pushed.She shook her tingling hand and innocently said, "Jaylene, you fainted because of the bug. I was just saving you. Don't believe me? Ask Keegan."Jaylene nearly ground her teeth. Did she think she hadn't heard? She was intentionally exposing h
Her fingertips trembled with a mix of horror and excitement. Just as the teapot was about to slip from her grasp, Keegan suddenly said, "Jaylene, don't move."Jaylene froze, instinctively thinking Keegan had regained his memory. She had barely twitched when Keegan loudly stopped her again, "Don't move, absolutely don't move."Jaylene wanted to say something, but then felt an itching sensation on her neck, as if something was crawling slowly. Goosebumps erupted all over her body.By now, Stella had turned around and saw Jaylene standing stiffly with the teapot in hand. Her eyes quickly assessed the situation and then she noticed the beetle crawling on Jaylene's neck.It was an unknown species, not overly tentacled but as long as a little finger, its mouthparts slightly twitching, genuinely alarming in appearance.Stella murmured, "It's so big."Jaylene couldn't see what was on her neck, unsure if it would bite or if it was venomous. She stood frozen in place, her voice trembling,
Seeing him, Stella even lowered her eyes and softly praised, "Mr. Kane, you acted very well."Keegan glared at her, his voice low and intense. "If you keep watching like this, Coco will cut ties with me tomorrow."Stella replied confidently, "No, she won't. After accepting the red envelope, she can tolerate you a little longer."Keegan asked sharply, "Did you teach her to ask for red envelopes like this?""Don't falsely accuse me; I didn't teach her.""You may not have taught her directly, but you set an example. Have you forgotten how you always make me buy things for you?"Stella was speechless. Whenever she wanted Keegan to buy her something, she would often say, "Gifts are only surprises when given voluntarily. If reminded, it shows they don’t like me that much."It had to be said, Coco had learned the essence of it.Stella also felt a bit awkward, thinking that in the future, she needed to avoid such flirtatious conversations between spouses in front of the children. They
Could she figure all this out?Keegan frowned, casting a disappointed look at Coco. "Are you not listening to me now?"Coco raised her gaze defiantly and stated, "Aunt Stella taught me that if I don't want something someone gives me, I can say no. I don't want this hairpin.""Didn't she teach you that even if you don't like something, you should still say thank you?"Coco fell silent for a moment, then reluctantly said to Jaylene, "Thank you, Aunt Jaylene, but I don't want it."Jaylene hesitated with her hand extended, unsure whether to retract it or leave it there, managing a strained smile. "Then what do you like? Next time, I will get you something you do like."Coco asked, "Do you want me to do something for you?"Jaylene was taken aback. "What?"Coco replied seriously, "Aunt Stella says offering help without reason is either deceitful or thieving. Since you don't like me, why else would you give me something? You want me to do something for you, right?"Jaylene forced a s
Leighton's incident did indeed revive their suspicions.Jaylene was gullible, but Darcie might see through this scheme. "Keegan, why didn't you go to work today?" Jaylene chose to ask directly at first.Keegan remained composed. "I've been busy with the press conference lately and haven't had much rest. Now that things have slowed down, I thought I'd take a break and relax."Jaylene spoke gently, "You should rest well. Since you came back, you've been busy, and you've been postponing Dr. Stone's follow-up appointments. Keegan, I'm really worried about your health. Since you're resting these days, I'll arrange for Dr. Stone to give you another check-up. Stella has been living here to assist your recovery for so long. We need the doctor to give a clear assessment of whether there's been any improvement. Otherwise, it's not good for Stella's reputation to stay here so long, unmarried and under one roof."Keegan nodded. "Okay, please arrange it. Thank you."His response was decisive,
Stella had just descended the stairs when she heard that remark, causing her eyelids to twitch as she thought to herself, “Damn it! He really knows how to come up with excuses!”Upon hearing this, Jaylene's eyes briefly flashed with disdain, but she ultimately accepted the shoe covers Keegan handed her. As Keegan led Jaylene into the house, her eyes continued to scrutinize every corner.There were a couple of pillows on the sofa, couple mugs on the table, wedding photos of Keegan and Stella on the walls, and even headbands and hair ties scattered on the table. The house exuded an unmistakable feminine touch.Jaylene's expression darkened, but when Keegan turned to ask if she preferred tea or coffee, she adopted a gentle, harmless demeanor. "Tea would be perfect."Keegan invited her to take a seat and called for Maria to prepare tea. Jaylene spoke softly, "Keegan, I heard from Stella that you brew Dragon Well tea better than anyone else. Is there a special technique?"Stella paused