Clark clutched his chest, feeling intense pain that left him struggling to breathe. He couldn't bear to imagine the heartbreak and regret Bradley must be experiencing at that moment.Amidst the roaring helicopter blades, they landed at the private hospital owned by the Warner Group.Bradley stepped off the helicopter with a determined stride, heading straight for the elevator.Clark suppressed his grief and followed closely behind, catching a glimpse of Bradley's veins bulging and his bloodshot eyes filled with a burning flame.Bradley made his way directly to the laboratory department, rolling up his sleeve to reveal his sinewy arm. He commanded the lab personnel, "Draw my blood.""Yes, sir," the doctor replied.Carefully, the doctor drew a tube of blood from Bradley's arm."Conduct a paternity DNA test between Felix's blood and mine. Make sure to oversee this test personally," Bradley instructed firmly."Yes, Mr. Warner," the doctor acknowledged.Casually discarding the cott
Σcornful anger surged in Esther's beautiful eyes. "Bradley, do you think you can hide your foolishness and ignorance by treating me like this? Five years ago, you caused Grandpa Thomas' accident. And now, because of you, Felix had an accident. It's all because of you. Do you believe that you can ease your guilt by shifting the blame onto me?"Esther regretted her decision to feign selective amnesia. When Liliane revealed that Felix was her biological son, Esther had wanted to take him away, resorting to stealing or any means necessary.It was a mistake.Bradley's fleeting display of warmth had swayed her. Naively, she believed that sweetness would be enough to comfort her for a lifetime, even if it was just for one day."Esther! Quill!" Bradley angrily grabbed Esther's jaw, causing her to laugh in anger. Tears streamed down her face, but she continued to defiantly gaze at Bradley."Bradley Warner, go ahead and strangle me with your own hands if you can!"Tinkerbell was dead.Fel
"Madam!""Madam!""Madam, watch out!"The female bodyguards rushed to Esther's aid as she stumbled due to her weakened condition. But Bradley's quick reflexes allowed him to swiftly pull Esther back into his arms before they could intervene.Esther was running a high fever. Even through their clothes, Bradley could feel the scorching heat emanating from her body, enveloping him entirely.Gently, he carried Esther in his arms, her weight barely noticeable, and placed her on the bed.One of the courageous female bodyguards, concerned about Esther's worsening condition, spoke up. "Mr. Warner, a high fever can be dangerous. I suggest—""Leave us!" Bradley snapped angrily.Another bodyguard quickly pulled her companion away.Bradley looked at Esther, who was barely conscious, and reached for his phone to call Kevin."Kevin Slade, where are you?"Kevin had just landed when Bradley's call came through. Unaware of Felix's situation, he jokingly responded, "Mr. Warner, do you have su
Kevin noticed that Esther had a high fever, prompting his instincts as a doctor to grab an electronic thermometer and measure her temperature. The result was astonishing—Esther's forehead temperature reached 39.9°C."Bradley, Esther's fever is extremely severe. I strongly recommend taking her to the hospital," Kevin said.A chilling coldness flickered in Bradley's eyes as he replied, "Will you take responsibility if she escapes?"Kevin pointed at the unconscious Esther and firmly stated, "Considering her current condition, if she isn't taken to the hospital soon, she may face serious consequences.""Medicine."Deciding not to allow Esther, whom he considered scheming, to go to the hospital, Bradley recalled how she managed to deceive a doctor the last time she feigned selective amnesia. He believed that if he sent her to the hospital this time, she would surely find a way to escape.In Bradley's eyes, Esther had zero credibility."Bradley, I won't be held responsible if anything
Kevin looked at Esther's hypocritical expression with disgust and mocked, "Esther, you must wish for Felix to have an accident more than anyone in this world!""Kevin, Felix is my son!" Esther screamed in despair, filled with anguish. "How could I bear to see my son die? I'd rather be the one in danger! I'd rather be the one buried in the sea..."Kevin couldn't help but snicker at Esther's expression. If he weren't bound by his duty as a doctor to save lives, he would prefer Esther to die now and atone for Thomas' sake.It was so ironic and ridiculous that a woman as wicked and malicious as Esther would pretend to be so devastated by Felix's death."Esther Quill, before you start fabricating stories, please pay attention to logic. You and Bradley never had sex. How did you give birth to Felix? Besides, when Felix was born, you were still in prison. Can you explain how Liliane managed to secretly sneak baby Felix out of prison without anyone noticing?"I think you're the one respon
Kevin was in disbelief. Considering Bradley's cautious nature, it was impossible for him not to conduct a DNA paternity test when Liliane appeared at their door with the child. And now, the result of the test..."Liliane has a congenital heart condition and cannot conceive."Kevin's mouth hung open in astonishment, his handsome face filled with disbelief and shock."But... that doesn't mean Felix is Esther's child, right? You and Esther never slept together...""Five years ago, the person who slept with Esther was most likely me."Ever since Bradley discovered that the woman in the video from five years ago was not Liliane, he had been secretly investigating everything that happened back then. That was also the reason he could play the surveillance video at the wedding."So, five years ago, Esther was really pregnant with your child?" Kevin asked in disbelief. "Then, doesn't that mean she—"Kevin stopped himself just in time.Five years ago, when news of Esther's scandalous vid
Clark handed Bradley the photo of Shane walking Liliane down the aisle during the wedding. Clark said, "Based on our investigation, Shane and Leah used to be a couple back in college. They broke up when Shane went abroad, and shortly after the breakup, Leah married Billy. It's rumored that Liliane's premature birth was a result of the strained relationship between Leah and her mother-in-law."However, if Liliane was actually born full-term, then the so-called premature birth could be just an excuse fabricated by Leah to deceive others, don't you think?"Kevin contemplated the implications of this revelation. If it turned out to be true, Billy would find himself in a heartbreaking situation. To have raised a daughter for so many years, only to discover that she was not his own..."If Liliane is indeed the biological daughter of Shane and Leah, then everything starts to make sense." Clark continued in a softer tone. "No one else could steal a child from prison, but Shane can. Money
In Billy's view, Bradley had already decided to marry Liliane, so it must have been a carefully considered decision. As for why Bradley publicly backed out of the wedding, it must be because someone instigated it."Felix's biological mother isn't Liliane," Clark interjected on behalf of Esther. "I personally conducted a DNA test, and the result shows that Esther is Felix's biological mother.""That's impossible!" Billy quickly denied it. "Clark, all Liliane's prenatal examination reports are at home. If you have any doubts, I can show them to you right now..."Bradley looked at Billy, who remained stubborn and unyielding. His expression turned cold as he said, "Liliane has a congenital heart condition. With her condition, she isn't fit for childbirth."Billy looked at Bradley in shock, disregarding his own weak state. He staggered out of bed and walked up to Bradley, pleading anxiously, "Mr. Warner, Liliane already had a congenital heart condition when she was born. The doctors had
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