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
Qemal kept taunting, "You broke my arm, and all I'm asking is for you to lose one of yours! Better do it before I change my mind, and fast! Or else, it'll be more than an arm you'll be losing!"Liam snapped his head up, his face stormy as he locked eyes with Qemal. The murderous intent was plain to see, and it felt like the air itself grew heavier with his fury."Don't try to take advantage of me!" Liam's voice was icy as he glared, his eyes practically shooting daggers.That single look sent Qemal stumbling back in fear! It was downright chilling.Locking eyes with Liam was like staring down the grim reaper himself, and Qemal thought he was a goner. Could Liam really be a nobody? How could someone dismissed as a nobody have such a fearsome look and such an intense presence?Yafe realized that Liam was no ordinary man. It would be foolish to make a move without knowing what Liam was capable of. Liam, who had been missing for seven years, had come back transformed, his former timid
The room fell into a stunned silence at his introduction."The young master of the Abbott family himself! Cheryl's luck is unbelievable!""Indeed! The Abbotts are a leading family among Drunham City's elite, and their corporation is a powerhouse with wealth to match!""Watch Cheryl strut now. She's just been snubbed by the Hughes family, and now she's rubbing shoulders with the Abbotts!"Wasyl stood with an air of superiority, casting a dismissive glance at the lesser families gathered in the hall. Their mere presence seemed like an unwelcome reminder of the social ladder he stood atop.Cheryl basked in the attention and envious stares from the crowd, her vanity swelling with pride."Hahaha, thank you!"Reginald chuckled as he accepted the ornate box. Upon opening it, he found an expensive multivitamin inside, eliciting gasps of amazement from the onlookers.Cheryl seized the moment to introduce, "Grandpa, this is an expensive multivitamin from a renowned wellness center that M
Fear gripped her. She dreaded that tonight's event might turn into a repeat of the ordeal from seven years ago, with the same vicious gossip and judgment. She was scared that Liam might once again make her the Stone family's scapegoat.Those thoughts alone sent her heart into a frenzy.Just then, a comforting, strong hand gently enveloped her frigid, trembling one.Celena's head snapped up, looking at Liam. Liam's striking features and his bright, steadfast gaze were brimming with affection as he looked at her. "Celena, don't be scared. I'm right here," Liam whispered.It shattered the walls around Celena's heart. The chaos within was suddenly wrapped in a comforting warmth, and tears streamed down her cheeks as her small hand clung to Liam's with all her might.That's right, he was with her. She was not facing the world alone anymore, and a newfound strength blossomed in Celena's heart.At that moment, a piercing female voice cut through the hall, making the atmosphere even more