Then, she added, "Dad, that Aunt Cheryl is also a bad person! She's always trying to get Mom in trouble and even came here a few times just to insult and hit Mom! Mom even knelt to beg her for mercy once, but she took no notice. She even pinched me that one time!" With that, Jovie shuddered as though reliving the bad memory and finally clutched Liam's arm. "Dad, please don't let Mom go. They're all bad people who will take advantage of Mom!" A glimmer of menace flashed through Liam's eyes. The Stone family and Cheryl would pay the price for what they had done to Celena. Liam could feel Jovie still trembling in his arms, so he gently stroked her hair and reassured her, "Jovie, they're your mother's family, and you know Mom has been wanting to visit them for a long time now!" Jovie pouted and said, "Well, if that's the case, I'll go with her so I can protect her! You're coming too, right, Dad? We'll protect Mom together and make sure no one dares to lay a finger on her!" "You
Ever since the Hughes broke off Patrick and Cheryl's engagement, the Hughes had gone a step further and deliberately disrupted all of the Stone family's business transactions. Because of that, the Stone family had lost several important business deals over the past few days and suffered a significant blow to their finances. Therefore, they chose to host a birthday party on Reginald's behalf as an excuse to invite all the socialites in the city and revive their connections. It was indeed Cheryl who had sent the invitation over. Since Liam had ruined her engagement and humiliated her in front of the entire Drunham City, she was determined to make Celena pay it back tenfold! The next day, the Stones wanted to reiterate to the public that they were still as strong as ever despite the Hughes' backlash, so they deliberately set the venue of the party at one of the most expensive and luxurious hotels in Drunham City, the King's Summit Hotel, which was second only to the Sovereign Hotel. T
Celena took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. The warmth of Liam's palm against hers also helped to slow down her racing heart and remove her anxious thoughts. "Alright. Let's go inside." With that, Celena, Liam, and Jovie entered the hall, much to everyone's surprise. The Stone family all turned to stare at them in fury when they walked in, but no one stopped them as they made their way to a table in a corner of the room. They had just sat down when a familiar voice rang out behind them. "Do my eyes deceive me? It's good, old Celena. Long time no see. Weren't you kicked out of the family and banished for life? What are you doing here then? I see you've also brought the bastard you married and the scum of a daughter you have!" He was none other than Qemal Stone, Celena's half-brother and Cheryl's biological brother. Celena's mother was Yafe Stone's first wife, but he eventually cheated on her with his current wife, Sherah Labar, who got pregnant not long after with Che
That invitation was priceless to Celena! She had endured shame and humiliation after being banished from the Stone family all those years ago, and this invitation was the only thing allowing her to return to the family again! The invitation contained Celena's hope of returning to a normal life with her family, but Qemal had torn it up right before her! Liam furrowed his brows at this, then knelt to the ground and pulled Celena up. Celena staggered to her feet, still sobbing, and turned to Liam. "What…what should I do, Liam? That's the invitation that Grandpa gave me…" Liam's grip tightened around her hand. "I know, Celena!" All Celena could think of was that she had lost her invitation and would never be allowed back to the family. She got on her knees again to pick up the shredded paper. "The invitation! This is the invitation Grandpa gave me…" Liam knew just how much this invitation mattered to her, so he turned to stare at Qemal with a look so cold it could freeze water. "I'
Celena, too, was in disbelief at what had happened. When Qemal said that, the color drained from her face. She stepped forward and grabbed hold of Liam's arm, then stuttered, "Liam, stop! He… he's my brother! Besides, it's Grandpa's birthday today, and I…" Liam frowned when he saw Celena crying over Qemal. "Celena, you treat him like a brother, but he has never once respected you as a brother should! He insulted you just now. Why are you begging for mercy on his behalf?" Celena glanced at Qemal, slumped on the ground, then at the crowd gathered around them, watching curiously. She wiped the tears from her face and said, "Just let him go! We're here for Grandpa's birthday. After all, if he…" Her voice was getting softer and softer with every word, but she gave Liam a pleading look laced with exhaustion. Liam stared at her for a few moments, frowning, then finally turned to Qemal. He stared at him momentarily before finally letting him go. Qemal clutched his broken wrist and st
The woman following Qemal was none other than Sherah, his mother and Yafe's second wife. She was a little over forty years old but still in great shape and looked about ten years younger. She was wearing a beautiful dress, which brought out her elegance. Sherah stormed over to Celena and barked at her, "How dare you show your face here, Celena? You've been picking on Qemal for as long as I can remember. I know you hate me for marrying your father, but why are you taking it out on poor Qemal? It's your own fault you humiliated your family and got yourself banished, not Qemal's! How dare you show up here and order your lackey to beat him up for no reason? You're disgusting!" Sherah was so infuriated that her entire body was shaking with rage. She grabbed hold of Celena's arm and pulled her out of her chair. "How dare you sit there as though nothing happened while your brother suffers in agony? You come here and apologize to Qemal!" Celena had always been frightened of Sherah. With
In that heated moment, Yafe stormed over furiously. He raised his hand and slapped Celena across his face. "Leave now! You're not welcome here!"Liam's declaration had the crowd, eagerly watching the spectacle, pause in surprise. Then, as he claimed to be Celena's husband, their gazes turned curious and speculative.Liam!He was the one behind the Stone family's disgrace. He was the one who had shamed Celena at their wedding, causing the Stone family to be a laughingstock and their shot at becoming a top-tier family.However, what the public did not see was the clandestine deal between the Stone and Walker families, a deal that reaped far greater rewards than any promotion could offer.Yafe's slap sent Celena reeling back, a vivid handprint blooming on her cheek, a trickle of blood at her lips. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with sorrow, and whispered, "Dad..."Yafe's face looked stern as he glared at Liam, ignoring Celena completely. "Don't call me Dad. I have only two ch
"You're as disgusting as your mother. Both of you make me sick!" Sherah sneered at Celena with contempt.Qemal could not hide his triumphant grin as he taunted Celena, "What does it matter if you're talented, Celena, or if Grandpa likes you best? Dad's only pleased with me and my sister. You're nothing!"His words hit Celena like thunder, sending a shiver down her spine."Why doesn't anyone want me?" Celena sobbed, collapsing to the ground. "Grandpa, Dad... you've all abandoned me..." Her cries echoed through the room, and her body shook uncontrollably.Jovie, hearing her mother's sobs, wriggled free from Liam's embrace and felt her way toward Celena. "Don't cry, Mom! They're the bad ones, not us. You've got me, Mom!" she cried.Tears streamed down Jovie's cheeks as she tenderly wiped away her mother's tears and patted her back in an attempt to comfort her.Overwhelmed by her daughter's empathy, Celena pulled Jovie into a tight embrace, as they cried together.Liam watched on, h