Mandy remained silent."Handle these servants. If they're helpful, keep them. If not, send them away," Bradley said as he tossed an unlimited spending black card to Mandy. "Call if you need anything."With that, Bradley returned to the car.Mandy gazed at the service staff, her temples throbbing. Could Bradley really expect her to act like a housekeeper?The service staff exchanged intrigued glances upon noticing Mandy's unfamiliar role."All of you are old employees here. Those willing to stay, please stand on the left, and those who wish to leave, stand on the right..."-As soon as Bradley reentered the car, he reached for his tablet. Opening an app, he entered a set of license plate numbers, and a red route appeared on the screen, leading to a Warner Group-owned vacation hotel.Bradley drove directly to the hotel and proceeded to the security office to review surveillance footage. He watched as Gabriel entered a suite and checked Gabriel's room registration information at t
Bradley's eyes flashed with a chilling crimson color. He wiped a hint of blood from his mouth with his hand and said coldly, "Mr. Quill, Esther is my wife, and you have no right..."Oliver smirked, scanning Bradley with disdain. "Bradley, you should see how real men treat their wives! Can you even call yourself Esther's husband after causing her so much pain?"With that, Oliver got into his car.The moment Oliver stepped into the vehicle, the driver started the engine quietly. The car zoomed past Bradley, leaving a trail of dust.Bradley stood motionless, clenching his fist and glaring at the departing car with a murderous aura.-Gabriel shook his head in disappointment inside the car. "I haven't seen him in years. How did he become so arrogant, selfish, and heartless?"Oliver nodded. "Setting that aside, he's undeniably talented in business. Mr. Sinclair, I'm curious if Mr. Thomas orchestrated Esther and Bradley's marriage."A nostalgic look crossed Oliver's face. "It's a lon
Jasper glanced at Esther and stood to switch on the TV."According to our reporter's coverage, five years ago, Ms. Esther Quill was wrongfully convicted..."Upon hearing her name, the TV screen instantly captivated Esther's attention. Half a decade ago, she had suffered unjust incarceration, falsely accused by Bradley of causing harm. She had endured the prime years of her life behind bars, facing torment that had nearly crushed her spirit.In her earlier divorce proceedings, she had presented video evidence proving her innocence. Today, her lawyer finally cleared her name.Esther's eyes welled up with tears. The legal system might vindicate her, but it couldn't return the five cherished years of her youth."A toast to Esther!" Felix, Sunshine, and Jacob raised their glasses filled with fruit juice, just like Esther. Everyone's faces beamed with happiness.Jasper, Kevin, Xara, and the others celebrated Esther's exoneration by hosting online giveaways.Oliver and Agatha didn't wa
Clark, fully aware of the situation, asked Bradley directly, "Are you asking me to lie, Mr. Bradley?"In response, Bradley slid a bank card over to Clark, lightly tapped its surface, and retorted coldly, "You're not willing to?""Not everything can be solved with money in this world," Clark replied, gazing at Bradley, who now felt like a stranger. At that moment, Esther's words from the car came rushing back to him.She had questioned whether Bradley was behind everything.While Clark was hesitant to believe that his savior's grandson was capable of such actions and that Bradley, whom he had seen grow up, could act this way, the sight of the bank card made him pause.Was the past Bradley the real Bradley?Bradley reclined in his leather chair with a disdainful expression as he looked at Clark. "My marriage to her was Grandpa's decision."Shaking his head, Clark said firmly, "If Mr. Thomas were still alive and saw how you treat Esther, he'd hope you two get a divorce!"Bradley's
"I blame myself." Clark had been torn about whether to contact Gabriel. Five years ago, he had dialed Gabriel's number but couldn't bring himself to speak. He had been afraid of stirring the ruthless drug dealers.It was only when Esther was wronged and her innocence was proven that Clark learned the truth. Esther wouldn't have suffered these past five years without a reason if he had reached out to Gabriel."Today, Esther was discharged from the hospital. I'm not here to confront you." Gabriel asked, "When are you available to take me to pay respects to those two old men?""I'm available anytime."Suddenly, Clark remembered what Bradley had just told him. He looked at Esther and the others and said, "Bradley just met with me. He asked me to testify in the reexamination of the divorce case!"Kevin couldn't hide his thoughts. Upon hearing Clark's words, he immediately asked, "Is he asking you to commit perjury?""Maybe that's what he's thinking, but don't worry. I turned him down,
Esther gazed at Thomas' photograph on the tombstone, tears welling in her eyes. She used to wonder why Thomas had been so kind to her, and now she understood it was because of her mother.She recalled a time when Liliane would often ask Billy why Esther could marry Bradley while she couldn't. She questioned why Martin treated them so differently.The mystery from those years had finally been solved today, but she couldn't do anything now. Thomas and Martin were no longer with them. She couldn't repay their kindness.Esther told Thomas inwardly, 'Grandpa Thomas, I'm sorry. I have to divorce Bradley. I can't grow old with him as you wished. I'm sorry.'Clark's eyes welled up with tears as well. "Mr. Thomas, I can't watch over Bradley anymore. He'll gradually push everyone out of his life.""Thomas, Martin, I'll visit you again," Gabriel said, raising a glass to the empty air and toasting his two old friends. He had seen friend after friend leave this world while he still carried the
"Clark! Wake up!"Clark, don't fall asleep!"Esther felt a rush of fear, her heart pounding. He worried that Clark might not make it.Gabriel gritted his teeth through the pain and approached the cement truck."Get out of the car," he commanded.The cement truck's door creaked open, and a man smelling of alcohol stumbled out. As he stepped out, a card fell from the truck.Gabriel leaned down to pick up the card, too distracted to keep an eye on the drunk driver.The card featured a bright poppy flower on the front and had a simple message on the back.[A small token of appreciation].It was signed with "X."In an instant, Gabriel stood straight and scanned his surroundings, an unsettling feeling creeping over him. These were the same drug dealers who had left a similar card at Esther's old house when they set it on fire.Gabriel glanced over at Esther, who was with Clark and Felix some distance away, and felt a chilling sense of being targeted by these criminals.He rushed
Jasper shot up from his chair, startled by Esther's words. He paced in front of her before saying, "Esther, I doubt Bradley would go to such lengths.""You don't believe he would do something like this?" Esther shivered. She didn't want to suspect Bradley, but the evidence pointed in that direction.Jasper took a deep breath and reassured her, "Clark has been with the Warners for years, and Bradley treated him well. It's impossible for Bradley to harm Clark. Don't jump to conclusions. I believe Bradley wouldn't do this."Jasper's defense of Bradley only intensified Esther's fear. She had a sinking feeling that Bradley might indeed be behind this.It could be Bradley's way of getting back at Clark for refusing to lie on his behalf or a warning to Esther not to consider escape.He loomed before her like an insurmountable mountain."Esther, don't worry. We're here for you."Hearing Jasper's comforting words, Esther decided not to share her suspicions about Bradley with him. She cou
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