Liliane wanted to establish the image of a gentle and caring mother in front of Bradley, so she asked, "Felix, Mommy's never lied to you!""You did!" Sitting in Bradley's arms, Felix counted on his little fingers and listed all of Liliane's lies. "You said you'd take me to the amusement park to ride the Ferris wheel, but you didn't."You said you'd take me to the beach to collect seashells, but you didn't."You said my grandparents love me, but Grandma doesn't like me at all!"Although Felix was young, he was intelligent and had a good memory. Liliane had made many empty promises to him without fulfilling any of them, and he took the opportunity to expose them all.Upon hearing Felix's accusations, Bradley realized that Liliane had indeed promised many things to Felix but never followed through."Liliane, is what Felix said true?" asked Bradley.Liliane had no choice but to put on a pitiful appearance and said with extreme sadness, "Brad, in the past, Felix wasn't in good heal
Esther's heart beat under Liliane's palm.At that moment, waves of jealousy surged in Liliane's eyes. She was truly jealous of Esther, so much so that she wanted her dead.From the moment Liliane was born, she had congenital heart disease, and her parents kept her condition hidden for fear of affecting her future marriage prospects.Over 20 years had passed, and they still had not found a suitable heart for transplant. Her father had even donated a substantial amount of money to Wilson's laboratory, hoping for the success of artificial heart research soon.However, the research on artificial hearts progressed slowly, and Liliane did not know if she could wait for the day when an artificial heart would be available.She had been like a porcelain doll since childhood, fragile and unable to participate in games with her classmates. School outings, sports events, and various activities were just spectacles for her to watch from the sidelines.Esther? She could do anything she wanted.
Without any warning, a nurse entered the room with a bouquet of flowers.Liliane heard the noise at the door, and her fingers trembled slightly. The liquid from the medicine bottle flowed following the corner of Esther's mouth and stained her dress."You are?" the nurse asked curiously, looking at Liliane standing so close to Esther.Liliane calmly tucked the medicine bottle in her palm and composedly replied, "I'm her elder sister."The nurse looked at Liliane and then at Esther, puzzled by the fact that these two sisters did not resemble each other in the slightest.Liliane's dark gaze fixed on the valuable liquid that slid into Esther's dress collar, feeling a slight pity.Liliane picked up her bag and turned away indifferently. "Take good care of her."After Liliane left, the nurse approached Esther. When she saw the damp area on the collar of Esther's dress, she wiped it with a tissue, quite puzzled.Liliane walked out of Esther's hospital room, pretending to be calm. She
Bradley stopped what he was doing and casually asked, "Don't you want him to?""Brad, how could you think that of me?" Liliane only rubbed his shoulders a few times before moving to sit on the nearby single sofa. "I'm just worried about Felix's health. He just underwent a bone marrow transplant, and I'm afraid something might happen in a busy wedding."Bradley was extremely indifferent as he said, "The doctor said Felix's recovering well. Your concerns are unnecessary.""It's just that I'm scared." Liliane covered her chest, still feeling a lingering fear. "Felix's been sick for so many years, and I'm truly... afraid.""We can postpone the wedding until Felix fully recovers and can participate." Bradley thought that since Felix wanted to attend the wedding, he must fulfill Felix's wish.Liliane felt somewhat frustrated but dared not show it. She pretended to be unaware and asked, "Brad, the wedding planning company needs our marriage certificate. When do you think it's convenient
Jasper's words instantly ignited Bradley's heart with flames of anger! The fiery anger consumed all his rationality. He took a step forward and firmly grabbed Jasper's collar, arrogantly saying, "Jasper, Esther is mine. Unless I don't want her, no one, including you, can touch her even a bit."Jasper sneered coldly. "Have you lost your mind? Esther is still unconscious. If she wakes up, the first thing she will do is distance herself from you...""Jasper Searle..." Bradley clenched his fist and fiercely swung it toward Jasper's face.Jasper caught Bradley's fist with his hand, tauntingly inviting, "If you want to fight, we can meet at the boxing gym. This is a hospital ward, not a place for fighting."Bradley slowly released his grip on Jasper's collar and took a step back. A glimpse of a chilling glow flashed in his dark eyes."Jasper, you can leave now," said Bradley.Jasper not only did not leave but also opened the cake box in his hand. There was a square tiramisu cake inside
"Bradley, this is the last time I'm tolerating you." A tear slowly slid down the corner of Jasper's eye as he choked back his sobs and said, "I'm not afraid of you, nor am I helpless against you. It's just that I want her to wake up."Jasper reached out to wipe away the tear on his face and left hastily. He seemed to be afraid of his weakness being discovered as he walked fast with hurried steps.There was only boundless loneliness in the spacious hospital room as various medical instruments emitted piercing sounds in the quiet room.Bradley suppressed the panic in his heart and walked up to Esther. He held a hand over his pounding heart and threatened fiercely, "Esther, my patience is limited. If you don't wake up, I'll send your daughter to meet you personally."Esther remained in a deep sleep on the hospital bed.She felt as if she were locked in a dark room with no trace of light. It was complete darkness all around her. She stumbled like a blind person, groping and moving for
Crystalline tears fell like a broken string of pearls, sliding off Esther's porcelain face drop after drop.Bradley stared at Esther with a mix of anger and frustration welling up inexplicably in his heart. He released his grip on her hand and forcefully held her jaw, coldly and cruelly questioning, "Esther Quill, what are you up to!?"Esther widened her eyes, looking at Bradley with fear as tears streamed down her face uncontrollably."It hurts, Brad."A tear fell onto the back of Bradley's hand he used to squeeze Esther's jaw. It felt like he had been splashed with scalding oil, causing him to let go instantly. He looked at her with a gaze filled with scrutiny and confusion, observing the stark contrast between the current Esther and the one he knew before."Mommy!"Felix cautiously poked his head out from the doorway of the hospital room. When he saw Esther regain consciousness from her coma, he completely forgot that he was still hooked up to an IV, rushed into her embrace, a
Esther was still holding Felix's hand tightly, afraid that he would disappear if she let go.Fortunately, Felix was clever and quickly reassured Esther, making her happy, "Mommy, don't worry. I'll stay here with you."Upon hearing Felix's words, Esther complied with the doctor's examination. The doctor began by thoroughly checking her body and confirming that all her physical measurements were within normal ranges.She had been malnourished before, but the doctor had given her a lot of nutrition fluids during her hospitalization. Now, she looked much better than when she had just been released from prison.The doctor came to a conclusion after he finished the examination. "Mr. Bradley, there's nothing wrong with Ms. Quill physically."Bradley pointed to Esther's head and stated, "There's something wrong with her head.""Bradley, something is wrong with your head!" Esther retorted fiercely. For a moment, Bradley could not help but think of their early days of marriage. Back then
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