"Mr. Anstey." Clark noticed Billy's disheveled appearance and asked gently, "You seem to be in a poor state. Should I call an ambulance for you?"Billy shook his head wearily and whispered, "Clark, can I see Esther?"Considering Esther in the bedroom and Bradley's stubbornness, Clark sighed deeply, feeling utterly powerless. "After Mr. Felix's accident, Mr. Bradley hasn't been in a great mood. If you insist on seeing Madam, I can allow you in, but please prepare yourself mentally.""Thank you."Clark opened the bedroom door and informed Billy, who stood at the doorway, "She's inside."Billy wiped his face with his hand and entered the bedroom with heavy steps.The scene inside the bedroom completely shocked him!He never imagined that Bradley would treat Esther like this.Esther was wearing pajamas, lying flat on the luxurious and soft bed. There were visible signs of injury on her delicate face.However, that was not the main concern. The focus was on the iron chain tied arou
Upon hearing Esther's words, Billy couldn't help but sob uncontrollably, reflecting on his foolish actions over the years.No! Even if it meant risking his life, he was determined to rescue Esther from this place.He couldn't bear to see a delicate girl like Esther being destroyed by Bradley and losing everything."Esther, wait for me here. Just wait for me," Billy said with urgency as he rushed to his car.As he drove, he contemplated whether to hire a locksmith or cut the iron chain, but he quickly realized that the method was unimportant. The crucial point was whether Bradley would allow Esther to leave Warner Manor.If Bradley refused to let her go, even if Billy managed to take her away from the mansion today, he knew that Bradley would find her and imprison her again within 24 hours.'No!' Billy needed a foolproof plan.Soon, the thought of Esther's old friend, Jasper, crossed his mind.Yes, the Searle family's influence was as strong as the Warners'. Perhaps Jasper could
Standing silently by Bradley's side, Kevin was at a loss for words on how to console him. Together, they stood, feeling the sea breeze and lost in their thoughts.After a while, Bradley spoke slowly, his voice filled with uncertainty. "Is there any way to replicate another Felix?""Bradley..." Kevin met Bradley's earnest gaze and hesitated before responding, "Cloning might be a possibility, but... any Felix created through technology would be a fake unless we find the real Felix."The rescue operation came to an end, and the personnel involved gradually departed from the vast sea.As the decision-maker of the Warner Group, Bradley generously rewarded each member involved in the rescue.Despite the calmness of the sea, Bradley's heart remained restless. He gazed at the area where Felix had fallen, his deep eyes tinged with a haunting crimson.Suddenly, Bradley's phone blared with an alarm. He quickly picked it up and opened the alerting app, only to discover Billy using a chainsaw
The helicopter hovered at a certain altitude, and a rope ladder was thrown down.Kevin glanced at Bradley, who was about to descend from the rope ladder, and stopped him, concerned. "Bradley, this height is too dangerous. You don't need to take this risk."As for Esther's desire to run away, Kevin thought, 'Let her run!'That woman seemed to bring bad luck wherever she went. Anyone who got involved with her would end up in trouble!With his status and conditions, Bradley could have any woman he wanted. What made Esther so special?"Enough," Bradley interrupted Kevin's thoughts.During his university days, Bradley excelled in various sports, from golf and basketball to football, rock climbing, skydiving, swimming, and more.With agile movements, Bradley jumped down from the rope ladder, landing safely on a soft grassy area.Kevin sighed in relief as he watched Bradley's safe landing. He turned to the helicopter pilot and instructed, "Let's return to Warner Manor."Once the cabi
Bradley sneered with contempt. "Esther, you spent five years in prison, so you may not be aware that there's now a cooling-off period for divorce."Esther looked at Billy in astonishment, unsure if Bradley's statement was true. She hesitantly asked, "Is he telling the truth?"Billy nodded softly and gently said, "There is indeed a cooling-off period."Bradley stood alone in the middle of the road. His tall figure exerted menacing pressure on Esther and Billy as if he had countless men behind him."I have the final say in my marriage," she declared.Esther refused to remain in a loveless marriage, considering it more of a tomb than a true union.Bradley took graceful yet menacing steps toward Esther and Billy, his chilling eyes turning a terrifying crimson. "I'll count to three. If you don't come over, don't blame me for what happens next!"Billy whispered to Esther from behind, his voice lowered, "Esther, I'll hold onto Bradley, and you run... Run far away...""One."Two."Th
Billy was left with nothing. His wife had never cared about him, and the daughter he had been raising was someone else's. Even the business and assets his parents had worked hard to build had been foolishly given away as a wedding gift to Liliane.The lawyers believed that Billy could reclaim everything given to Liliane through legal means, but there was a complication. Liliane was currently a patient with a heart condition, and any slight provocation could be fatal for her. Moreover, Billy knew that a legal battle would be a tangled mess with many variables.However, when Bradley threatened Esther, Billy's long-lost paternal heart suddenly reawakened. "Esther, don't worry about me. We live in a lawful society now. He won't dare to do anything to me!"Billy felt pathetic. He couldn't even leave with Esther. No wonder Leah repeatedly called him useless—he truly was trash."Esther, do you dare to bet on it?"Esther had run fast, causing her tied-up hair to come loose and hang down.
Kevin's heart clenched with soreness as he reflected on the foolish things he had done over the years.Esther sneered and taunted. "Aren't you here with bodyguards to take me back? Come on! Come and get me!"Kevin remained motionless. He could no longer treat Esther in the same way as before.After dealing with Kevin, Esther turned to Bradley, who still held her at gunpoint, and asked calmly, "Mr. Warner, are you now telling me that you want my life? Or do you want me? Or have you finally come to your senses and want to—"Before Esther could finish speaking, Bradley hoisted her over his shoulder, turned around, and walked away.Kevin hurriedly caught up with Bradley, incessantly advising him from behind like a chattering old man."Bradley, can't you talk calmly?"Bradley, she might feel uncomfortable being carried like this..."Bradley, please calm down."Bradley ignored Kevin's words.Billy grabbed Kevin and forcefully pulled him aside, quietly pleading, "Kevin, please, cons
With a disgusted look on his face, Bradley released his grip on Esther's jaw and indifferently entered the bathroom.Laughing with self-depreciation, Esther seemed to surrender to her fate, recognizing that her life had become a complete joke since she fell in love with Bradley. She willingly sacrificed her dignity, allowing him to trample upon it.Ten minutes later, Bradley emerged from the bathroom wearing a bathrobe. "Esther, if Felix is reborn, I'll spare you."Esther couldn't help but burst into laughter, tears streaming down her face. "Bradley, do you really think I'll bear a child for you?"What Esther truly wanted to convey was that even if she were to become pregnant by Bradley again, the child she would bear would not be Felix. In this world, there was only one Felix."It's not up to you whether you bear a child or not!" Bradley shook his head, the water from his hair dripping onto Esther's face. "If you cooperate, I'll let Pixie stay with you. But if you continue resist
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