Keegan looked at her, his eyes blank and lost. After a long pause, he spoke hoarsely, "Stella, Coco's father is gone. I can't fulfill the promise I made to her anymore."Stella was stunned. "What did you say?"With his eyes filled with sorrow, Keegan told her a secret, "Six years ago, the person who fell to his death at The Hox Club was Coco's father."Stella was struck by this news and could not process it. Then, she murmured, "So, Coco isn't Mr. Moore's child, huh?"Keegan was taken aback. "What wild ideas are you coming up with?"Stella said, "I thought Mr. Moore and the undercover cop had a fight and got into a car accident together, and Willow asked you to take care of their child before she died."Keegan was at a loss for words."When did I ever say that Coco is Marshall's daughter?"Stella swallowed. "Isn't Coco Mr. Moore's child with his ex-girlfriend who got into the car accident with him?"Keegan massaged his temple and said, "They broke up for a year before the acci
Keegan thought that everything was strange, so he contacted Willow. However, she felt ridiculous upon hearing that. She told Keegan that she was already married to another man and was about to give birth.She had already forgotten about Marshall. She loved her husband very much and would never go abroad with him.Stella heard what Keegan said and immediately knew that Marshall was having another episode. In the story he fabricated, he and Willow were still a loving couple, but the reality was that Willow had left him long ago, and Marshall was the one who could not move on.Just as Keegan was thinking about advising Marshall, Dahlia asked him to sign some documents and suddenly mentioned Marshall and Willow.She had always looked down on girls who tried to climb the social ladder by attaching themselves to wealthy families. In her eyes, Willow was exactly that kind of person.Dahlia complained about Willow to Keegan. Before she left, she said, "She should take a look at herself in
Willow underwent a C-section and gave birth to her daughter. After that, she underwent another surgery.After Keegan got that number, he kept trying to contact Jayson, but he was unreachable.Willow stayed in the hospital for six days but eventually passed away due to her injuries and wound infection.Keegan did not know Willow's family as she was not from Rivera. The police contacted her hometown's police station and were informed that her family had moved away long ago. They were also trying to reach them.The phone number Willow had given to Keegan was his only option.Three days after her death, Keegan got through to the phone.Jayson was very cautious at first, thinking Keegan was playing a prank. However, when he heard the crying of a child and how Keegan could accurately recite Willow's ID number, he immediately fell silent.That night, a dark-skinned, muscular man with a buzz cut and rugged features arrived at the hospital morgue. He appeared to be several years older th
Jayson said, "I know you. You're Keegan Kane from the Kane family of Rivera, right? I know where to find you."Keegan wanted to refuse, but Jayson continued, "You're Marshall's best friend. Since he's the reason why my wife is dead, it's only right for you to make amends on his behalf."Keegan was speechless.Then, Jayson added, "I can't take care of her right now. I still have unfinished business. She'll be safest with you because no one would ever dare mess with your family."Once everything settles down, I'll come back to get her. Please help hide her identity, and don't let anyone know that she's Willow's daughter. I can't drag her into this..."At that time, Keegan did not really understand what Jayson meant by "drag her into this," nor did he know what was so important that Jayson had to abandon his newborn daughter, who was still receiving intensive care.But Jayson did not explain much to Keegan. He took a call and hastily left before asking Keegan to convey his message f
Stella took the envelope and took out what was inside.She initially thought that it might be some documents, but she was wrong. It was a police shoulder badge instead.She was taken aback and thought of what Keegan had said before about "sacrifices of those who work in the shadows, not recognized and may not even have a future."Suddenly, her expression turned solemn. She asked softly, "Was he a narcotics officer?"Keegan shook his head. "I don't know. He didn't directly tell me about it, but it's likely. Before the incident at The Hox Club, he came to see Coco once and said that he was going on a business trip. He told me that he might be away for some time and would come back to pick Coco up once she recovers."His voice turned hoarse as he spoke, "That was the last time I saw him. Every year after that, he would transfer some money into my account, but he never showed up again."I always thought he was still on a mission and could not return to see Coco. After all, he would s
Keegan had intended to investigate what happened at The Hox Club, hoping to gather some evidence to use against the Adam family. That way, he could prevent them from using him as a scapegoat once Luanna's case went public. He had not expected to uncover something like this at all.Stella absentmindedly patted the back of Keegan's hand and asked softly, "There's one more thing I can't figure out.""What is it?"Stella asked, "Why does Marshall hate you?"Keegan was not the one who got him hypnotized and had his memories erased. On the contrary, Keegan did everything he could to help him when he got into trouble. Stella just could not comprehend Marshall's hostility toward Keegan.He frowned and shook his head. "This is what I'm trying to figure out, too."He repeatedly analyzed what had happened back then and could only recall the accident after he called Marshall, but nothing else.'Could it be possible that they had a conflict with Irene after I called him? But what does that h
Keegan nodded. "We can't always be passive like this. I've got to eventually figure out why Marshall hates me. If we don't solve the problem from the root, he'll never stop."Paranoia was one of Marshall's major symptoms of his dissociative disorder.Stella gladly took on this task.Then, a message popped up in the "Thick as Thieves" group chat.Vermont glanced at it. When he realized that it was from Stella, he snorted, not bothering to read it.He had not forgotten how this woman had previously encouraged him to trick Felicity into marrying him.'What a hypocrite!' he thought to himself.However, he still saw the message despite not opening it.After a while, Felicity came out of her room and approached him with her phone. "Stinky Cucumber, Stella and Keegan are fighting!""Oh," Vermont responded indifferently. "They do that very often, don't they? It's nothing surprising. You've been asking her to break up with him, yet they're still inseparable. Just let them be.""It's d
Felicity glared at Vermont and said, "Stella isn't that shallow! She fell for Keegan because he was the one who pulled her out of the car that day. She said that only a very kind person would help a stranger in need. Why do you think Keegan would coincidentally be at the scene of the accident?""Maybe he was curious?"Felicity kicked him in annoyance. "I'm being serious. Stop fooling around!"Vermont chuckled and hugged her. "Fine, fine. I'll stop now. Please tell me more."Felicity continued, "Keegan is Marshall's childhood friend. Marshall got into an accident, so Keegan rushed to the scene to help and coincidentally saved Stella. Doesn't everything seem to fit perfectly?"Although Vermont seemed like he was not serious about it, he listened to everything Felicity said. 'Everything seems to make sense, but...'"Are you sure that Stella saw a pregnant woman?""Not just pregnant, but about to give birth. Her tummy was huge." Felicity leaned closer to his ear and whispered, "Do y
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