"Have you told Daddy?" Esther asked, her heart still holding onto a glimmer of hope.Felix nodded solemnly and replied, "I did."A bitter taste filled Esther's heart. So, even though Bradley knew Felix was her son, he still chose to proceed with his wedding to Liliane today?Resentment pierced Esther's heart like countless sharp blades. She had thought that feigning selective amnesia would perfectly end her secret love of ten years.Little did she know... it was all just wishful thinking.Bradley wouldn't soften his heart just because she was the birth mother of Tinkerbell, Pixie, and Felix! He wouldn't erase everything that had happened in the past simply because they had children together.Knowing this was a risky gamble, Esther still decided to take the chance.Finally, she understood that Bradley's heart didn't belong to her or their children."Mommy, please don't cry." Felix reached out to wipe away Esther's tears.Esther tightly embraced him, unable to hold back her own
Esther glanced at Felix through the rearview mirror, stepped on the accelerator, and drove toward the airport.Since learning that Felix was her own son, she had contemplated using this opportunity to reveal the truth to Bradley. However, after what happened with Tinkerbell, she doubted it would make a difference even if Bradley knew Felix was her son.Moreover, she had no idea how Liliane had managed to take Felix away from the prison hospital back then. If she insisted on a DNA maternity test with Felix, there was a high chance that someone would tamper with the samples, leading to an inaccurate result.All the events from five years ago conveyed a painful truth to Esther—everything hinged on whether Bradley believed her. He wouldn't consider any DNA test she conducted as having any impact if he didn't.That's why Esther chose to feign selective amnesia, treating Felix as her own son and fostering a strong bond with him. Yet, a glimmer of hope lingered in her heart, hoping Bradle
Felix cried uncontrollably, whining, "No, Daddy and Mommy will always be together."Upon seeing Felix's defense of Bradley, Esther made up her mind and decided to take the boy to the wedding venue."Felix, promise Mommy that no matter what happens at the wedding venue, you'll make sure to stay safe.""Okay." Felix nodded cutely and said, "I promise."Esther drove Felix from the airport to the wedding venue with no other choice. As Felix sat in the back seat, he repeatedly dialed Bradley's phone number, but there was no answer.Half an hour later, Esther parked the car at the wedding venue's parking lot. She got out of the car, opened the back seat, and unfastened Felix's seatbelt.Just as she was about to enter the wedding venue, holding Felix's hand, a group of men dressed in black suddenly appeared. They covered Esther and Felix's mouths and noses with drug-soaked towels, forcefully dragging them away from the wedding venue.-The time for the wedding had arrived.A convoy o
Nervously, Liliane glanced at the door as the hairstylist beside her reached out to adjust her earrings.Meanwhile, Bradley stood outside, observing the wedding party formed by Leah's friends."Make way." Bradley's cold voice broke the silence. "I have no patience."Leah felt a surge of anger at Bradley's disrespectful demeanor. This was her only daughter's wedding, and she wanted it to be grand and glorious. But Bradley's attitude made it seem as though he was being forced into this marriage.When he married Esther, he didn't have such a sour expression, did he? He fulfilled all the necessary formalities and rituals back then.If it were anyone else, Leah, as the mother-in-law, would boldly declare that her daughter wouldn't marry him!However, this was Bradley—the man Liliane longed to marry.Although Leah was filled with dissatisfaction, she didn't show it. Instead, she smiled at her friends and said, "Ladies, make way for my son-in-law.""Leah, you must be increasingly plea
Leah couldn't help but recall the time when Bradley reluctantly married Esther. Despite his reluctance, he maintained proper etiquette and paid attention to every detail. He even personally carried Esther to the wedding car.But now, when it came to their daughter, Bradley displayed an arrogant attitude and showed no regard for them as parents.Leah was furious but had no outlet for her anger. When she saw Billy, who had been to the bathroom six or seven times, she unleashed her wrath on him. "You're the only one dropping the ball at such a critical moment. How can I rely on you?"Concerned, Billy asked, "What happened?""Anstey, you useless piece of trash..."Billy's stomach gurgled again, and he rushed to the toilet, telling Leah, "Honey, I need to use the restroom."Leah was seething with anger but couldn't vent her frustrations at Bradley. Instead, she put on a smiling face to greet the guests.The wedding procession was about to leave, and the Anstey and Walpole families' r
Leah believed Shane would never refuse to accompany Liliane into the venue. After all, they shared a special bond as father and daughter. Daughters were often considered their fathers' beloved companions from a previous life, so it was natural for Shane to be fond of Liliane."It would be a great honor for him to walk our Liliane down the aisle. I'm sure he'll be more than willing," Leah remarked confidently.As soon as she finished speaking, Shane appeared at the door. Leah went to open it, and they warmly embraced each other."Shane, we were just discussing you. You know, Billy is always so unreliable. It's our daughter's big day, yet he's being irresponsible at this crucial moment. If he can't make it, can you please accompany Liliane to the wedding?" Leah expressed her disappointment with Billy, and Shane readily agreed."I'm glad you thought of me," Shane replied. He looked at Liliane, dressed elegantly, and couldn't help but get teary-eyed. His daughter had grown up and was a
Shane nodded. "He really can't make it here?"Leah glanced at Shane with a hint of reproach. "I administered a significant dose. Even if he manages to come, he won't be able to make it. Let's not mention him anymore. It's a joyous day. Let's go greet the guests. If anyone asks, I'll introduce you as Liliane's godfather.""Alright."Shane and Leah descended the stairs one after another. Although they didn't display any overtly intimate gestures, the underlying affection between them caught the attention of the guests.-Liliane finally put on her long-awaited, exquisite wedding gown in the bride's dressing room. The shimmering diamonds added a touch of brilliance under the lights.The stylist carefully placed a priceless vintage crown on Liliane's head and couldn't help but express her envy. "Mrs. Warner, Mr. Warner really spoils you. I heard this crown has a starting bid of $15,000,000 at auction."The stylist never expected to witness such opulence in her lifetime.Filled with
Billy was stunned by Liliane's accusation of being petty. He couldn't believe she would think that of him. How could he be considered petty when he was willing to give away his entire fortune as Liliane's wedding gift?"Liliane, you're my daughter. How can you side with outsiders?" he said, feeling a mix of sadness and disappointment.Liliane, unaware of her father's true feelings, replied in a self-righteous tone, "Dad, do you have any better suggestions? Should Mom face all the relatives and friends alone? Or should I walk down the aisle alone? If people ask, should I tell them you couldn't attend your own daughter's wedding because of diarrhea? Isn't that embarrassing?"Billy felt a lump in his throat, and his injured leg seemed to ache even more. He tried to explain, "Liliane, I'm your father—"Unfortunately, the arrival of the ambulance interrupted him.Realizing that arguing with her father on such an important day wasn't ideal, Liliane softened her tone and said, "Dad, if y
Bradley's brazen words made Gabriel raise an eyebrow, and his scrutinizing gaze on Bradley intensified.Unfazed by Gabriel, Bradley calmly stated, "Mr. Sinclair, when I visited Shane recently, he handed me some video footage. It showed Esther being assaulted and abused in prison, with the perpetrators claiming it was my order. I've always dared to own up to my actions. What I've done, I won't shirk from. What I haven't done, I won't admit."Gabriel had seen the videos online. Even though Bradley had obscured the protagonist's face in the footage, he knew it was Esther. He had believed entrusting Esther to Thomas would ensure her safety, only to discover how fate twisted things."Bradley, I'll assume your words are true," Gabriel began. "Then tell me, if those people who assaulted Esther in prison weren't influenced by someone else, who put her in prison? Have you forgotten how you, in your irrational madness, expected a woman carrying your children to pay the price? Or do you believ
When Bradley brought up his grandfather again, he felt utterly unfilial as a grandson."Your grandfather's greatest wish before he passed was for you and Esther to live peacefully and happily. Sadly, all he witnessed was discord and enmity between you as a couple."Gabriel understood better than anyone that Bradley, in his youthful arrogance, felt that everything and everyone should conform to his desires. When Thomas compelled Bradley to marry Esther, almost like an arranged marriage, his rebellious nature surfaced."I've failed my grandfather's hopes," Bradley admitted with a bitter taste in his mouth.During quiet, solitary nights, he revisited memories of the past repeatedly.He hadn't desired that marriage back then. However, since he had promised his grandfather to marry Esther, he should have genuinely treated her as a wife.Despite the subsequent events not aligning with his wishes, he was painfully aware that if he hadn't been arrogant and unwilling to listen to Esther's
Esther wasn't pleasant toward Bradley. If she had evidence, she would gladly send him to prison to experience the joy of life behind bars.Bradley gazed blankly at Esther's stunning face, a hint of indescribable sorrow in his eyes. Those deep eyes resembled a chilly cold spring."Not only do you want to chop off my hand, but you also want my life, right?"Esther gestured a slice across her neck at Bradley with her hand, then turned away to tell Logan, "Let's go. Don't waste time on this.""Okay."With languid steps, Esther walked into the elevator. Once they were inside, the elevator doors shut.Outside the elevator, Bradley watched Esther and Logan like they were two puzzle pieces that matched perfectly. Instantly, he felt an unbearable heartache, as if his heart was being torn apart.He instinctively reached out to steady himself against the wall, observing the numbers on the elevator panel decrease until it stopped at the ground floor.It took a while before Bradley recovere
Throughout the entire night, neither Esther nor Logan had shut their eyes.Feeling their eyes strain, they applied eye drops. It wasn't until Esther noticed someone who shouldn't have been there on the surveillance footage."Logan, take a look at this."Perplexed, Logan asked, "What's going on?""Do you think this person looks like Shirley?"Esther was particularly sharp in discerning a woman's physique. She could immediately tell that the woman being supported by a man due to her intoxication bore a striking resemblance to Shirley."Let me see."Logan zoomed in on the surveillance footage, carefully comparing it with the footage containing Shirley. Physically, the two women indeed looked very similar.There was just one question... How would they confirm if she was Shirley?"Esther, stay here and keep watching the surveillance. I'll retrieve other surveillance footage.""Okay."Logan and Esther divided their tasks. Suspecting that the intoxicated woman might be Shirley, Est
Logan and Esther exchanged a glance. They fixed their intense gazes on Jason's face, unable to discern if he was smirking or provoking them."Mr. Taft, the evidence you seek will come."Jason scoffed. He seemed to transform into a different person as he put his glasses back on."Even if Shirley deceived me, I never wished harm upon her, let alone her death."I can consider your suspicions toward me as part of the investigation, but I hope that once everything is revealed, you can restore my innocence."I've said my piece. As long as Shirley hasn't divorced me, she remains my wife. I am obliged to cooperate in the investigation, and I hope you find her soon."Logan and Esther sensed something amiss with the first confrontation. They didn't say anything untoward until they exited the elevator and looked up at Jason's balcony outside.Jason stood on the balcony, looking at Logan and Esther and waving toward them.Logan and Esther looked at Jason before they turned and got into the
"She blocked me on all forms of contact at that time. I even tried contacting her through my colleagues' phones but found out she had blocked them, too. I thought she might be angry, so we should both calm down."Logan didn't speak and just listened quietly as Jason recounted the events of the case."I was angry that she blocked me. At my age, what's wrong with wanting a child? My parents were pushing for it, and I wondered if this marriage was what I wanted."Shirley is very beautiful. My friends and classmates say I'm lucky to have married her, but they don't know that beauty comes at a price."While my colleagues were buying properties, my wife kept changing bags. Her clothes, skincare products, shoes—everything was designer. To support her lifestyle, I work diligently, even taking extra freelance jobs to afford it."I thought I was a good husband and just wanted a child. What did I do wrong? If she had said that she didn't want a child after marriage in the first place, it wou
Gabriel took a long look at Esther, realizing more than anyone that Esther seemed to be heading toward a different extreme now. He wasn't certain if this shift in Esther's demeanor was good or bad.However, one thing was clear to him—the intersection of Esther and Bradley's lives resembled two lines crossing. After intersecting, they would drift further apart."Esther, you can investigate Bradley's criminal evidence. I won't object to that," Gabriel said with a stern face, emphasizing, "But ensure you complete your tasks on time and with quality.""Grandpa Gabriel, rest assured, I won't neglect my work."Gabriel nodded. "Go on then.""Alright." Esther stepped out of the office and approached Logan. "We can set off now.""Okay."Logan didn't inquire about Esther's conversation with Gabriel. Although they pretended to be engaged, Logan maintained a respectful distance from Esther. He wouldn't interfere much in her matters. However, he was aware that if she needed his help, he woul
Gabriel stated, "According to her husband, they argued before she went missing. He assumed she had returned to her parents' home and didn't inquire further since they often had cold spells for ten days to half a month. Their relatives and friends can testify to this."However, the cold spell extended to a month this time, which alarmed him. When he called her parents, they told him his wife never went home."Esther knew that the husband was often the first suspect when the wife went missing in cases like this."The wife bought a high-speed train ticket to her parents' home but didn't take the train back. The police traced her taking a ride-hailing car, and the driver claimed to have dropped her off on the street. The dashcam recording is proof. However, after that point, there's a blind spot in the surveillance footage. Usually, surveillance is kept for a certain period and gets overwritten after that."Logan asked, "What about the investigation on the missing woman's husband?""T
Esther rose, fixating on the distant scenery with clear eyes. "As long as he commits a crime, he'll leave traces."Logan was on the verge of speaking but was interrupted by the sudden ring of his phone."Hello, Mr. Sinclair."Gabriel's voice sounded grave. "There's a new lead.""Alright, we'll be right there."Logan stood up, turning to Esther. "We'll meet at the locker room entrance in ten minutes.""Is there a new development?""Yes."For most girls, ten minutes might not suffice even for basic grooming. For Esther, it was just right. The only issue was her long hair. Time was too short, and she lacked the opportunity to blow-dry it. Her damp hair draped over her shoulders, slightly soaking her T-shirt.Logan kept his eyes on the road. "I'll drive. You can use a towel to dry your hair.""Okay."As Logan drove, Esther sat in the car, patting her hair dry with a towel. Her hair was thick, posing a challenge to dry with just a towel.Nevertheless, Esther refrained from openi