Chapter 145: How to Escape to the Secret Garden?"Are you going to wait for me to take a shower, right?" she asked eagerly, finishing undressing."I..." he sighed heavily, lost for words. She just smiled, understanding, and headed for the shower area. He remained attentive to every movement, watching her naked under the shower. His only regret was the distance she was from his touch."I got what you wanted..." Jayden stopped speaking when Richard signaled for him to be silent while covering the cellphone, showing embarrassment. "Both of you..." he murmured, stifling a laugh, placing the folder on his desk and quietly leaving.He stayed on the call with her as she headed to the bedroom, still seeing her even closer as she locked herself in and brushed her hair, until she fell asleep while watching him read the documents absentmindedly."Seeing you every day on call won't make this longing for you any better..." he lamented when he saw that she had fallen deeply asleep. "Good night, my
146. when I feel your skin.Jayden warned Elizabeth that she should wait for Richard's notice before heading to the garden, but she was so anxious that she didn't even wait for the message after her three unanswered calls. She suspected that something was wrong, yet she couldn't imagine what it could be. She got ready on that sunny morning and went out cheerfully, greeting her brothers as she left her room, finding them in the hallway."Where are you going?" Ryuk asked, still in his pajamas next to his brother, watching her skipping and jumping with her flowery loose fabric dress."I'm going for a walk!" she announced, twirling and stumbling."You know you can't go out, right?" Ryuk commented."I can... but is that all?" he asked, suspiciously."Yes, I'm tired of staying in this room."She rushed down the stairs, heading outside the mansion. She knew the guards would check on what she was doing. She went to the usual area where she always went with Gaby, where there was a small covere
147 most awaited late visitRichard stayed there with her, together in that warm and pleasant cottage, undressed. He watched her as she slept peacefully beside him, a brief nap that he didn't even dare to try for fear of needing to be awakened by medication. He didn't want, in any way, for her to see him like that, and that was one of the reasons he didn't want to rush the marriage."Time to wake up, sleepyhead," he murmured gently, causing her to wake up with a smile on her face."Heavens... my parents..." she sighed, quickly getting up and getting dressed, while he remained seated, dressing in haste. Giving her one last kiss, he bid her farewell. "Tomorrow, same time, okay?" she asked, opening the door, ready to leave."Definitely." At the same time the door slammed and she ran as fast as she could until she reached the wall and headed back to the mansion without raising suspicions by using the pitiful excuse that she had overslept.When Richard got home, he was at his limit. He was
Chapter 148: A Negative Test, a Betrayal, a FrustrationHe approached Aloury threateningly, making her step back. Then, he smirked lightly."Are you saying you're putting your daughter up for sale? How low can you go, huh?" he asked, annoyed."I just want you to give her back to me. I've already told you, besides that, nothing is more important to you than power, right? So let me keep her, and I won't meddle in the administration of my share."Richard laughed aloud, while she watched, wondering what was so funny."Do as you wish, I won't negotiate with you. Aurora is not a commodity. Also... I see you know very little about me. Therefore, leave my house; you are no longer welcome here.""If that's how it is, I'll take my daughter back at any cost," she asserted irritably, leaving Richard's mansion.The next morning, very early, something was happening at Emma's mansion. She had gone to visit her father; her intention was just to see her old father and her mother, who almost never spok
Chapter 149 - A conversation that shattered his plans"What are you doing?" she asked, picking up one of the photos, but he snatched it from her hand, putting them away."It's none of your business!""Is this how you satisfy your sexual desires? Why can't you let go of her? I'm your wife!" she yelled angrily as he put away the photos."I don't know! You suddenly became so annoying. Want to know the truth? The only thing I want is her, to touch her. That feeling of frustration consumes me all the time. You knew I loved her, but you were happy because my father disapproved of her. I was just an obedient dog.""You used to say you loved me...""I know!" he asserted angrily, "but I can't deal with the frustration.""And how do I deal with the frustration of my husband not touching me or even kissing me?""Emma... I'm sorry..." he murmured, embracing her. "I promised I would make you happy, but I can't overcome what I'm feeling.""I know what it is. You and your uncle are always fighting o
Chapter 150 - Without Positive EffectsTaylor remained there for a few minutes, but unable to bear it any longer, he left. This was not the time to reveal himself. He quickly made his way out of the area and headed to his car without even noticing the vehicle on the other side of the road."It seems like your husband is not only watching over you but also visiting you," Emma's security guard commented, sitting behind the wheel while she sat beside him, silent and serious. "Do you want me to do something now?""It's not the right time yet, but the right time will come. For now, let's leave," Emma suggested."Can I take you to my apartment for now?" he asked hesitantly, but she nodded, forcing a smile, and they left.The hearing was brief, with all the evidence Richard had gathered. There was no way Ricardo's defense lawyer could argue. They lost custody, but they were still allowed visitation with the girl. Richard left the courtroom before the judge even finished speaking, as soon as
Chapter 151 - Closed Eyes, Don't OpenHe decided to stay awake all night to fulfill his promise. He seemed like a ghost as he wandered around the mansion, going from one place to another."Good evening," he greeted the lady he found in the kitchen with a pitcher of water."A little water, sir?" she offered, but he declined, looking pensive."But... would you like some coffee, perhaps? Can you make it?" he asked, sitting somewhat distracted."You're unable to sleep, is it appropriate to drink coffee?" she asked, confused."Your name is Celeste, isn't it? Ailda's right-hand woman?""Yes, sir.""Just do as I say, please," he requested calmly. So she made the coffee and served it. After that, he returned to the office, where he continued trying to work.In the morning, he was awake and left early as promised. The morning was cold and slightly rainy. The breath that came out of his mouth was like a steam vapor in response to the cold air. He drove eagerly to meet Elizabeth, also worried th
Chapter 152: Does Alfred Not Care About His Grandson?Elizabeth followed in silence as she was escorted by her brothers, who looked at her with confusion. Once inside, she ran upstairs, ignoring them. But before she reached her room, Zeus stopped her, holding her arm with a displeased expression."Where were you?" Zeus asked, irritated."I was hiding from you, can't I?" Elizabeth replied, raising her eyebrows and staring at him arrogantly."I'm not keeping you here because I want to. I need to keep you safe because I care about you," Zeus confessed sincerely, releasing her arm and gently holding her hand. "I thought you had run away and something had happened to you. Now that everyone knows who you are, things can get even more complicated. Imagine if they also find out about your identity as Bay, one of the women at the top, being hated and loved at the same time?""Father, I appreciate the concern, but do you really think it's necessary to keep me away from Richard? You wanted me to
Chapter 209: The Last Farewell Today at the mansion, everyone was excited, people came and went, both the Campbell and Leblanc families, employees went up and down bringing and taking things. The twins and Gaby were in Elizabeth's room, styling her hair and adorning it with pearl ornaments. It would be the most luxurious party ever seen. Richard and Elizabeth were marrying again, this time officially and grandly, so that everyone could witness this union and celebrate.After so many events, walking down the aisle to meet the man she loved was priceless. As her father led her slowly as if wanting to savor her arrival at the groom."Father?" whispered Elizabeth upon hearing her father's slight sniffle and realizing he was almost crying." Isn't this the second time I'm getting married?"That wasn't a wedding, it was a mistake of your father, right? But now I'm seeing my daughter really getting married, to someone she loves, I'm just a grandfather now." declared Zeus, holding back tears.
Chapter 208: Implications and Departures."You know..." sighed Brian as he saw Emma, who stared at them with disdain." When you don't talk about the devil, he shows up anyway, doesn't he?" he asked seriously.The twins, in turn, got up and went downstairs together, barely noticing that the Leblanc brothers followed them while smiling and chatting."What are they talking about?" whispered Brian. Then, they subtly approached when the twins sat at a table in the cafeteria and stealthily listened."You shouldn't think about it, it was right to throw those coats away at that moment. Besides... Think about it, do men like them have anything good to offer? You saw, they attract the attention of all women all the time." she commented with disgust."But isn't that a good thing?" asked Brian, whispering, astonished."True, you know, men like that are after every woman they can find. There's no value in that, and I say this because they kept staring at us the whole time. We're nothing but toys,
Chapter 207: A Pregnant Woman in a Scorpion NestShe rested her head on those wooden planks, holding her belly, thinking she would be alone at that moment. Besides the risk she was taking by being in an old house in a forest, it was obvious that there were insects and wild animals around. So, she tried to stay still, even more so when she saw an unpleasant insect just inches away, making her spine tingle. After all, how many more were there? She closed her eyes in terror. It seemed that under that house had become a shelter for scorpions. So, she even tried not to breathe, even with panic.At such a critical moment, she truly thought she was going to die, until she heard the door of that old house open abruptly."Oh Heavens... He never fails..." she sighed in relief."Stay still!" Richard asserted upon seeing the scorpions crawling over Elizabeth."Save me... Please..." she pleaded, holding her breath."It's okay... Just don't move." he said, keeping calm and carefully removing the sc
Chapter 206: A Dangerous and Relaxed WalkElizabeth was already nine months pregnant, and with each passing day, she became more anxious. It wasn't because she eagerly awaited the moment to see her daughter, but rather because, after months in that mansion, even with so much entertainment, she was eager and longing to go out and take her last walk alone.The twins were wandering around the mansion's premises, and as usual, they always went to see Elizabeth."You can come in," announced Elizabeth when the twins knocked on the door."Are you going somewhere?" the girls asked, a bit confused to see her already dressed and drying her hair."I'm thinking of making a brief visit to an old place," she said thoughtfully."You're not thinking of visiting someone, are you?" Kemilly asked suspiciously."What are you talking about?" Elizabeth asked, confused."We heard that Taylor is paralyzed, unable to move anything from the waist down. It's a pity for someone so young and handsome.""Why would
Chapter 205: Visiting my former marriageDuring that same period, Taylor was now living with his mother. She took him to her home, even though it was a simple place. Now he had to accept that this was his fate, being completely ignored by his father, who didn't even visit him. Coralie now sat daily in a chair in front of Taylor's bed and dedicated herself to feeding him."Do you know I can feed myself, right? Why do you keep doing this?" Taylor asked, annoyed."And I want to take care of my son, as I never could before," she grumbled as he refused to eat."You don't have to, just leave and let me die. We can't even live in this place, no money, no life, nothing. That bastard who claims to be my father only defends his own interests.""I'm here. Besides, I know how to get money, so don't worry.""How?""Let's just say I made a great friend, even when I was practicing evil," she smiled tenderly. "At least she says she never made a mistake when she chose to trust me.""I abandoned you. S
Chapter 204 - Ambitious and InsistentAs soon as the girls received Elizabeth's message, they didn't think twice before rushing to meet their mother and uncle to share the news and their decisions at that moment.Richard was gathered in the garden with his sister Rayssa and Aloury. The girls talked to their guardians and asked for permission to go with Elizabeth."How come Elizabeth asked you two to go with her?" Richard asked skeptically."Actually, we asked her. We believe we can learn more from someone like her.""Did she say where she's going?"The girls shook their heads negatively."No, actually she said she didn't want you to know.""What am I to her? Is she always going to be avoiding me? Does she think it's fair while dragging my daughter everywhere?" he grumbled annoyed, leaving the twins confused."What do you mean? But if it was your son, why did you let Taylor bother her so much?"At that moment, Richard averted his gaze, showing shame."At first, he implied that baby was
Chapter 203: Things Seem to Be Falling into PlaceRayssa went upstairs to see her sister; Aloury still had no idea that her older sister had been rescued."Do you think she'll be happy?" Rayssa asked, leaning on Richard's arm as he escorted her."You can be sure, just the two of us was a bit lonely.""I heard she married that man, now that I'm back, I'll have to face a divorce while her marriage will be annulled," she sighed thoughtfully."Indeed, it seems our family has a karma related to marriage annulment.""Why? Speaking of which... Elizabeth is your wife, right? Why didn't you bring her?""It's a long story, actually, a story so far-fetched it might take days to know it all," he suddenly commented, remembering the time he was kidnapped.He smiled awkwardly at the thought that it was his grandfather who did that; he was now sure that Rayssa and Aloury's encounter was more dramatic than expected, filled with Aloury's remorse and regret, now that she was lucid. She had awakened from
Chapter 202: Elizabeth's DepartureThe twins eyed each other cautiously, silently communicating with their gaze. Emile nodded in agreement to what Kemilly indicated by looking towards the grand entrance, then turned to his sister."Let's take you, since you can't walk...""No!" Kemilly asserted, using all her strength, pulling her sister and running into the hospital, leaving the two men stunned."What's going on?" Brian asked, furrowing his brow as he watched the girls struggling to run."Interesting, I expected them to jump into our arms instead of running past us..." "Oh... I guess we're quite presumptuous, but perhaps there are really tough women out there in the world," Brian commented, interrupting his brother and suppressing a laugh."Did they make it seem like a game?" Ryuk asked, sliding his thumb over his chin with a light smile, much like Brian.The twins ran to Elizabeth's room, finding her things already packed, feeling disappointed to see her leaving."You're leaving wi
Chapter 201: An Old Problem.She smiled disappointedly, took a deep breath, gathering courage for what she wanted to say."Just forget it, I'm not going anywhere with you. If you think she's not yours, I don't want you to assume a responsibility that isn't yours," she said calmly, not even looking at him."Even if she doesn't have my blood, it doesn't mean I can't love her as a legitimate daughter, Liz... Don't keep rejecting me..." he tried to hold her hand, but she pulled away."Excuse me," Eliza entered the room, interrupting the conversation."I'll let you two talk..." Richard announced, albeit unwillingly."Why are you treating him like this?" Eliza asked, concerned."Because he's stubborn. Clearly, he's doing this out of pity. He wants to accept this child not because he loves me or loves this child, but because he feels sorry for everything I've been through. But the truth is, I've realized that nothing happened between me and Taylor.""What do you mean?" Eliza asked, intereste