It wasn’t like it had never crossed her mind. Maybe she could leave this place if she could pretend to love him. However, how long could she keep up this act? Unless she wanted to keep up the act for the rest of her life, if Jackson were to find out in the future that she had deceived him, it would only worsen her situation in the future.More importantly, she didn’t feel like lying or deceiving Jackson to get what she wanted. This mansion was huge and decorated with structures that reminded her of rich families in the movies she watched. There were plenty of lotus flower motifs in the architecture as well. For instance, the lotus flower reliefs on the pillars and beams of the house, or the carved motifs on the antique furniture, not to mention the lotus pond in the garden. The blooming season for lotus flowers had already passed, yet the flowers in the pond were still blossoming as if it was the peak of its season. The owner of this mansion had to be a big fan of lotus flo
“Yeah, even if they find this place, they won’t be able to do anything about it,” said Jackson as he pulled out his phone and handed it to her. This was his mobile phone, not hers!Thankfully, she was blessed with a good memory. At least, she could still remember both Lisa and Clara’s phone numbers. And so, she dialed Lisa’s number first. Lisa’s voice was so excited when she answered the call that Serenity almost dropped the phone. “Serenity! W-Where are you right now? Did you know who brought you away? It was Jackson! Oh, you don’t know how worried I am for you! Did he do anything to you? That b*stard! How dare he take you away without your consent?! This is kidnapping! A crime, I say!” Serenity’s face froze up immediately. She was worried that if her friend was allowed to keep talking, she might say something that offended Jackson, so she immediately said, “I… I’m fine at the moment. Lisa, I called you to let you know that I’m fine, and you don’t have to worry about me. As for
Jackson reached out and picked up the ancient sword. Serenity was taken aback by his action. This sword… had given her an ominous vibe from the beginning. “Do you remember what I told you before? That people from my family once locked up a woman here. She eventually fell in love with one of the men in our family. Despite that, she ended up taking his life with this exact sword,” said Jackson as if he were telling a tale. But… this was something that had actually happened! Serenity felt a shock in her heart. What he had told her before was a completely different version! The version he had told her was that the woman had ended up fleeing with the man from this place. She never expected that the woman had actually… taken that man’s life here using this very blade! But for what? Was it guilt? Self-blame? Or regret? Or perhaps she had fallen for another man? Was that why she had chosen to end his life?As for the brown spots on the blade, were they… bloodstains? Remnants fro
His unwavering confidence made her nervous.He could wager the rest of his life, but what could she wager?Clara spoke with Lisa on the phone and learned that Jackson had taken Serenity away. Lisa didn't know where he took her or when she would return.But Lisa said that if Serenity could make the phone call, she must be safe. "For now, all we can do is try to find where Jackson has taken Serenity. Don't worry about your lawsuit, Clara. If Serenity isn't back in a week, I'll have Terry help you find another lawyer," Lisa assured Clara. "Thank you," Clara replied gratefully."Don't mention it. I just want to see you and Yanny safe," said Lisa.When Clara went to pick her son up from kindergarten in the afternoon, she was still worried about Serenity. She wondered if being loved by someone like Jackson Valor was actually a lucky thing.After breaking up with Serenity, Jackson Valor now wanted her back. But how did Serenity feel about it? Was she really okay like she said on th
"I'm here to see Yanny; he's my son, isn't he?" Wilson Birch said nonchalantly.Clara's feelings were complicated upon hearing that. He said it so matter-of-factly, just like he did years ago when he said, even if she really was pregnant, he would make her abort the baby!However, that was a problem between them adults and she didn't want to drag Yanny into it, so she simply said, "Yanny, it's time to go." Clara had to go to work soon, so she had to quickly take her son home to let her mother take care of him."Daddy said he'll take us home today," the little boy said.Clara wanted to refuse, but Wilson Birch's next question made her hesitate. "Does Yanny want Daddy to take you home?" "Yes!" Yanny answered innocently with his sweet voice. When Clara saw her son's happy face, she bit her lip and decided to keep quiet.By now, many parents had arrived at the kindergarten to pick up their children. Many of them were stealing glances at Clara, Wilson and Yanny. Clara's cheap c
"Yes, he is. Didn't Mommy tell you? He really is your Daddy," Clara told her son.She had planned to tell him when he was 18, but circumstances forced her hand.The little boy looked at Wilson in confusion. "Why did Daddy suddenly come down from heaven?" Wilson was caught off guard. He glared at Clara, speechless.Clara felt embarrassed. She had always told Yanny that his father was in heaven."Daddy didn't know about Yanny before this. Now that Daddy knows, Daddy will come see you very often," said Wilson Birch.He was a cold-blooded and stone-hearted man, but oddly enough, facing his own flesh and blood, he couldn't help but be gentle, especially when he saw the hearing aid his son wore. It broke his heart.Although his son was born with a disability, he wouldn't let that be an obstacle for Yanny! He wanted his boy to grow up to be a great person! No one would dare to look down on him! The little boy had a shy smile on his face as he asked hopefully, "Will you give me piggy
The small boy squealed with rare excitement.Clara could tell that her son was really happy. Normally, Yanny was a bit reserved and would barely speak to anyone but those closest to him. It was uncommon to see him as animated as he was now.And Wilson Birch... Even though he was in a suit and had a stern demeanor, there was a hint of tenderness in his eyes.He would react to Yanny's excitement and turn either left or right according to Yanny's command.Who would think that the CEO of Birch Group, usually known for his serious demeanor, would have this kind of tender side to him?Clara felt her nose get a little stuffy. Was it the natural bond between father and son? Although Wilson Birch had never been a part of Yanny's life before, Yanny easily accepted him almost as soon as they met as if they weren't strangers.Was blood really thicker than water?After a while, Clara said, "Yanny, we have to go home. Grandma's waiting for us."Yanny reluctantly got off Wilson's back.After
At first, she thought it was a tale of a woman who abandoned her old love and fell in love with another man. She thought it was only a straightforward story of betrayal and love.However, when she heard the conclusion of the story, her perspective shifted. The woman fell in love, then murdered the man she loved. Was it because... she was unable to accept her feelings? She couldn't accept that she fell in love with someone else, and that someone was the person who held her captive?What ensued thereafter? What did the woman do after leaving the mansion?Did she stay by herself or did she go back to her old lover?She yearned to learn more about the story and the aftermath.Although Serenity should be long past the age of getting curious about these things, she could not help feeling curious about the woman in the story.Was it because... she's also trapped in the mansion like that woman was?Serenity climbed out of bed, went over to the window and opened the curtains.From her