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
Albert hesitated for a moment and whispered, "As long as you help me out, the Jewell estate will be yours. Your mother and I built the home together. Entrusting it to you rather than someone else puts my mind at ease. You can remarry Keegan once it's in your possession. You'll have a strong backing. And with this dowry, the Kane family won't dare to underestimate you."Stella lowered her gaze and laughed. The timing of the laughter was rather peculiar. "It sure is nice of you to think of me at a time like this," she said.Albert could not quite figure out Stella's meaning. "Having raised you for so many years, I've long considered you my own even though we're not connected by blood," he stated affectionately."Is that so...?" Stella pondered Albert's words and looked at him coldly. "If you long considered me your own, why did you support Sophia when you knew she was framing me? Why did you want to give me away to those old men? How dare you utter such words to me when you did all th
"Albert Jewell, you're a wicked man who harmed even your own wife. You don't deserve to have a son! This is all karma! You should've seen this coming!"Albert's face turned extremely pale.His son, his only son, had died at the hands of Hylda many years ago.He could still remember how heartbroken Rainee looked when she lost her baby back then.This was what he said to Rainee at that time."Don't worry. We'll have more children. Take care of your health."Then, he turned to Hylda for an affair, completely ignoring Rainee, who had just suffered a miscarriage."You said that you hate Rainee because she cheated on you and gave birth to me with another man behind your back, right? Why did you not even bother to investigate who that man was even once? Is it because you cheated and assumed my mother did too, just to make yourself feel better?"Stella took a deep breath and continued."You didn't look into it, so you don't know that your biological daughter had died in the hospital t
The Jewell family's affair had finally come to an end, and what followed was the sentencing.Rainee's birthday happened to be around that time, too. Stella planned to go to the cemetery alone to celebrate Rainee's birthday quietly.However, Keegan was already waiting outside when she was about to leave after getting ready. He dressed formally in a black suit without a tie, with a white flower tucked into its welt pocket.His suit coincidentally matched Stella's black outfit and white hat.He stretched his arm out and said softly, "Let me go with you.""Aren't you afraid she might hate you for not kneeling during the funeral?" Stella asked.Keegan nodded. "I am. That's why I want to make amends quickly and reassure her that I'll take good care of you."Stella smiled.Then, she held Keegan's hand and spoke gently. "My mom may be sharp-tongued, but she actually had a very soft heart. Just bring some of her favorite food and speak nicely to her. She'll forgive you."Keegan wrapped
Stella's mouth formed a thin line.'Cunning face...'That description seems to suit you better, Trevor.'Stella sighed and said, "Trevor, I believe you can find someone better than him, but I won't like any of them."I can't deny that Keegan has his flaws. He could be mean, stubborn, and difficult to deal with, but he also has redeeming qualities. He would try to cheer me up whenever he made me angry. He wouldn't get mad at me even if I locked him out. He has never gotten physical with me. He doesn't force me to do anything I don't want to do, and if there's something I like, he buys it immediately without looking at the price. Also, even if I hit him when we argue, he would never raise his hand against me."Trevor retorted, "Not hitting you is literally the least he can do. How can that be considered a good quality?""Let me finish." Stella continued softly, "After divorce, many couples would speak ill of each other in the worst way possible, but Keegan has never said a bad word
Stella nudged Keegan with her elbow. He got her message and said, "Trevor, let's have a meal together after this."Trevor put down the flower and stood back up. Then, he said, "It's fine. I have a meeting with someone later. By the end of this month, we'll host a banquet to celebrate Stella's return to our family and reveal her identity to the public. Take good care of her. If anything happens to her, you won't be invited."Keegan was taken aback and did not say anything in response.Trevor frowned. "What's wrong? Do you have a problem taking care of her? If so, I'll—""I don't!" Keegan recollected himself and immediately interrupted him. "I'll do everything in my power to take care of her."A faint smile appeared on Trevor's face. Then, he walked up to Keegan and said in a low voice, "There's still something between us that isn't settled yet."Keegan kept quiet.Stella hurriedly asked right after Trevor left, "What did my brother say to you just now?"Keegan thought about what
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