Bradley felt like a hole had been carved into his heart, and a chilling wind blew through. He curled up in pain, his eyes showing hopelessness.Jasper was right. It was his fault. He had gotten so angry about Esther and Felix's fake death that he had impulsively taken Felix away. He had just wanted Esther to admit her mistake, be his wife, and never talk of divorce.Still, he had forgotten to buckle Felix's seatbelt for safety. His action had scared Felix, causing him to jump out of the car. Worse, Bradley hadn't noticed Felix was gone for a long time.Regret flooded Bradley. He tried to grab the railing, but his legs gave way. Struggling to stand, he lost his vision and tumbled down the stairs.-Esther stood outside the operating room, her gaze fixed anxiously on the door. Jasper attempted to comfort her, saying, "Esther, don't be so worried."Esther didn't respond. Who could really fathom her emotions? The child in there was her flesh and blood, yet it was unknown whether he w
"Esther! Esther!" Jasper exclaimed in alarm, lifting Esther and rushing toward a nurse."Nurse, she fainted."The nurse called a doctor, who conducted a brief examination on Esther. "Draw some blood from her first.""Alright."As the nurse drew blood from Esther, the pain of the needle piercing her skin woke her up. She slightly furrowed her brow and whimpered before slowly opening her eyes.After hesitating momentarily, she struggled to sit up, urgently saying, "I'm fine.""Esther, you fainted." Jasper held Esther's shoulder, gently reminding her, "They're drawing blood. Don't move."Teardrops welled up in the corner of Esther's reddened eyes and slowly trickled down. She looked at Jasper and fearfully asked, "Jasper, Felix… He will be okay, right?""Yes, he will be fine. You have to believe that nothing bad will happen to him," he reassured her.Esther painfully echoed, "Yes, nothing bad will happen."She had a difficult childbirth in prison back then, but the triplets had
Even though Oliver didn't fully understand everything, his protective instincts as a Quill kicked in right then."Bring someone here to remove Mr. Warner!"Oliver's bodyguards followed his orders to the letter. When Oliver commanded something, it was done immediately."Mr. Quill, you..." Bradley remembered the troubles Oliver had caused him. "You're taking this too far."Oliver glanced at his bodyguards, and they moved forward, ready to take Bradley away.When Bradley was young, Thomas worried about jealousy due to his status. He had hired great teachers to teach him martial arts. Thus, his instinct to resist was triggered when Oliver's two bodyguards approached him.Oliver sat beside Esther and asked with concern, "Esther, what happened?""Mr. Quill, maybe the bodyguards should explain." Jasper called over the bodyguards he had specially hired for Esther and said, "Tell Mr. Quill everything."The bodyguards didn't hide anything, describing everything from Esther leaving the ai
As Jasper approached Esther, holding the test report, he chose reason over feelings. Presently, disclosing her pregnancy wouldn't help her mood. Also, the circumstances weren't right for decisions. It was wiser to wait for Felix to leave the operating room.Jasper subtly tucked the test report into his suit jacket's pocket and spoke softly. "Esther, the nurse mentioned your test report is fine."Oliver raised his gaze, questioning, "What's wrong with Esther?""Mr. Quill, Esther fainted."Oliver's demeanor cooled. "Esther, your health is crucial. After Felix's surgery, I'll take you to Capitus."Capitus offered the best care, top doctors, and the Quills' support. Bradley wouldn't dare trouble Esther there, at least not easily."Uncle Oliver, I'll wait until the divorce lawsuit ends before going to Capitus."This place held Esther's heartache. Ideally, she would never set foot here again."Sure, we'll wait for the lawsuit."Oliver scorned Bradley's actions. Had Esther contacted
"Are you planning to call your group's security team for a hospital fight to make headlines? Are you expecting reporters to come and discover that you allowed your own son to jump off a car, and it took you a while to realize it?"Or perhaps you intend to clarify why you took Felix forcefully? Not because you wanted to use him to threaten Esther, but because you genuinely got him back?"Jasper's inquisitive tone left Bradley's hands hanging limply at his sides."If it weren't for you, Jasper—""If it weren't for me, Felix would be dead." Jasper sent a video to Bradley, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "This is a video of my people saving Felix. Take a good look. It was me who saved your son."Yes, I admit I hid the fact that Felix was alive from you, but you need to understand that your son would be at the bottom of the sea if it weren't for me. Is this how you treat the person who saved your son's life?""Jasper, don't think I don't know what you're up to! You're trying to take
Bradley cried silently, his weeping full of desolation and sorrow.The bodyguards exchanged glances, uncertain how to console him.Only after Bradley had finished watching all the videos did he truly feel a sense of gratitude toward Jasper. Just as Jasper had said, he saved Felix not because he was Bradley's son but Esther's son.-Finally, the doors of the operating room opened.Esther, who had been gazing at the door, hurried to the entrance. Then, Agatha emerged with a mask on."Doctor, how is my son?"Agatha told Esther gently, "The surgery was successful. He's been taken to the ICU, but his condition is still uncertain. We'll have to wait until the 48-hour critical period is over to give you a definitive answer."Upon hearing this, Esther, who had been anxiously waiting, finally felt a sense of relief. Her voice was strained as she inquired, "Can I enter the ICU to see him?""No." Agatha removed her mask and said sternly, "Esther, have you forgotten everything I taught yo
Oliver touched his throbbing forehead and said, "Madam Foster, please don't influence Esther negatively.""As a member of the Quills, shouldn't you stand up for Esther's rights? How could you allow her to be so badly mistreated by a horrible person without fighting for her?"Agatha held Esther's cool hand and said protectively, "In the future, don't let that scum bother Esther."As an elderly person who did not usually use the Internet, Agatha would not have known about Esther's release from prison if Oliver had not gone to her. She was even unaware that Esther's children had not died but had been taken away and abandoned in a welfare institution by Bradley.After learning about the situation on the plane, Agatha wanted nothing more than to give Bradley a jab to make him experience the pain of pregnancy and childbirth.Even if a man held grudges, he should not treat a woman like that."Yes, yes, you're right. I will definitely pay more attention to Esther in the future."Agatha
Esther worried about Felix's health. Before she fully understood Agatha's words, she saw Agatha holding a golden needle. In an instant, Agatha pressed it into a pressure point on Bradley's head."Grandma Foster!" Esther exclaimed.Agatha pulled out the golden needle, her face unchanging as she spoke coldly. "Bradley, you're lucky I use my hands to heal, not to kill. Remember, I could spill blood, and your death wouldn't matter."Esther knew Agatha defended her, making her grateful."Grandma Foster."Agatha softly patted Esther's shoulder. "Bradley, think you can hurt Esther because she's an orphan? The Quill family and I are with her now. Touch her, and you will face my anger."Bradley's temple throbbed with indescribable pain as if a knife were cutting his brain in two. He gritted his teeth, his voice strained. "What... What did you do to me?""Does it hurt?" Agatha sneered, her face filled with scorn. "Esther endured much worse pain when she gave birth in prison. Bradley, from
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