Esther's heart raced in her chest."Esther! Aren't you good at hiding, huh?" Bradley said through his gritted teeth.Esther's temples throbbed.Jasper and Kevin instinctively drew closer, guarding her like knights."Bradley, why would she be hiding if it weren't for your continuous mistreatment of Esther?" Kevin calmly countered. "If you have come to check on Clark, please sit and wait for updates. If you have come to cause trouble for Esther, then leave."Bradley smirked and questioned coldly, "Kevin, who do you think you are to talk to me like this?"Kevin quipped, "How does it feel to be abandoned, Bradley?"Jasper reminded, "Kevin, Clark's still in surgery. Save your words.""Kevin, sit down." Esther gently tugged Kevin's sleeve, worried Bradley might lose his temper and harm him.Kevin complied.The hallway outside the operating room was eerily silent, much like the presence of death.Bradley took a few steps back and sat across from Kevin. He folded his arms, and his c
Bradley clenched his fists as he walked toward Esther. With each step, Esther's heart raced.Jasper and Kevin instinctively positioned themselves before Esther, ready to shield her from any harm Bradley might cause."Esther," Bradley said casually, his expression terrifying. "In my world, divorce doesn't exist, only widowhood. If you choose to divorce me, you'll face the consequences."Jasper raised an eyebrow and asked coldly, "Bradley, are you threatening Esther?"Bradley sneered and said, "It seems that someone here can understand plain words.""Whether you threaten me or plan to imprison me, I will still divorce you, Bradley," Esther declared, her fists clenched. A newfound determination shone in her eyes. She wouldn't yield to Bradley's wishes. She was resolute."Do as you please."I'd rather die than bear your name in this world."I'd rather die than be known as Bradley Warner's wife."Bradley clapped lightly, saying, "Remember, this is your choice."With each step he t
When Agatha emerged after changing, she found Esther and Jasper engrossed in conversation. "Esther, Jasper, what are you discussing?" Jasper spoke clearly. "Dr. Foster, Esther and I were talking about the car accident. After I drop you and Esther at Primus Mansion, I plan to visit the detention center to inquire about the driver involved.""Okay."Agatha and Esther got into the car. Agatha observed carefully. Despite Esther's recent car accident, she didn't seem overly frightened. As Esther's mentor and physician, she understood her condition well. She also worried that any additional psychological distress could have serious consequences."Esther, I need to discuss something with you," Agatha said.With Agatha bringing up the topic, Esther looked at her seriously and asked, "What is it?""After your official divorce from Bradley tomorrow, I'm planning to go abroad," Agatha said.Esther was mildly surprised. "Oh, you're going abroad?""Yes, Jacob's illness requires my presence
Esther savored the tasty, nourishing soup while observing the children happily chatting. It brought her a sudden sense of inner peace. Surviving a car accident with only minor injuries made her feel incredibly fortunate.After finishing her soup, she took a shower and changed her clothes. The presence of the children filled the house with lively chatter, uplifting the atmosphere.Esther's mood improved gradually in this cheerful ambiance. She decided to call Gabriel and dialed his number."Grandpa Gabriel, where are you now? Are you okay?" she asked.Gabriel responded cheerfully. "Esther, I'm perfectly fine. Just take care of yourself and the children.""Grandpa Gabriel, are you alright?""No worries, I'm an old man. If there were any issues, I'd look for Agatha. Don't think too much. Take good care of the kids!" he said,"Please take care of yourself too.""I know, you too."Gabriel hung up and looked at the card in his hand. He wondered who this "X" was targeting. What if it
Mandy truly worried that if Bradley insisted on her being the butler, she might consider poisoning him, causing partial paralysis, and inheriting the entire Warner Group's wealth."Bradley, we're having oriental cuisine for dinner tonight. Is that okay?" she asked."Sure."Bradley headed upstairs, changed his clothes, and returned.Despite knowing that Bradley was her enemy, Mandy couldn't help but be captivated by his handsome and charismatic appearance. He was incredibly good-looking, briefly entrancing her before she regained her senses.They both sat down at the dining table and began their dinner.Bradley put down his utensils and spoke coldly. "Join me at the courthouse tomorrow morning.""To the courthouse?" Mandy pretended not to know, asking, "Is something happening?""You'll find out tomorrow."Bradley left Mandy alone and went to his bedroom. He checked the legal department's messages on his phone, which irritated him immensely.Restlessly pacing back and forth, he
Bradley and Esther's divorce case returned to court for a reexamination. Unlike the first hearing, where both were present, Esther didn't show up in person this time but was represented by her lawyer, Tanya.Bradley glared at Tanya, who sat across from him, his eyes burning with anger.Tanya stayed focused on representing Esther, seemingly unaware of Bradley's rage.Bradley tried to message Esther, but it was like tossing a rock into the ocean. When he attempted to call her, he discovered he had been blocked once more.Sitting in the audience, Mandy couldn't help but smirk as she observed Bradley, who struggled to contain his feelings. He probably hadn't expected Esther to skip this divorce trial.Mandy wondered where Esther might be. While this day was significant for Esther, something even more important seemed to be on her agenda.-Clark's family had returned from abroad. Esther felt compelled to meet them as a concerned party in the accident."Ms. Quill, I'm Kyle, and this
Esther gazed up at Jasper, her beautiful eyes shimmering with tears. "But what?"Jasper took a deep breath and spoke hoarsely. "According to the driver's family and friends, the driver doesn't drink because he's allergic to alcohol.""Why would he drink if he's allergic to alcohol?" Esther's suspicions about Bradley grew stronger. She still had doubts about him."I'm not sure," Jasper replied, his voice low.Esther was equally uncertain. She didn't want to suspect Bradley, but the evidence seemed to point in his direction."Esther, if this car accident was indeed an accident..."Esther looked at Jasper, her eyes filled with tears, silently asking if he still believed it was an accident at that point."By the way, Esther, is it okay that you didn't attend court today?" Jasper asked.Esther nodded and replied softly, "It's fine. We have enough evidence."After a moment of silence, she continued. "Even if we fail, it's okay. We still have the future... I don't want to be involved
Esther had anticipated winning the divorce trial, but the news of her triumph filled her with joy. "Really? Am I officially divorced? Will he appeal again?"While descending the stairs, Tanya replied, "To avoid more issues, meet me at the office now. I'll help you get your divorce certificate."In this re-examination of the divorce case, Esther and Bradley were declared divorced again. Naturally, Esther was very happy about it."Alright. We'll meet at the office." With a sense of relief, Esther hung up and told Jasper, "I've finally regained my freedom.""Congratulations."Esther's eyes sparkled, much like the stars in the sky. "Thank you, Jasper."In fact, she could go through this divorce case with Bradley again due to the support of many people by her side. Their support gave her the strength not to give up."Esther, aren't you meeting Ms. Hill? Let me take you!" Jasper offered to drive her.Esther shook her head and gently said, "Jasper, go ahead with your work. I have body
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