Cliff stood next to Henry in a suit.He was no longer the aggressive man he'd used to be. Rather, he was now calm and loving."I've waited for this day for so long, son. I can finally rest in peace now that I've seen your wedding," Cliff said.Henry's smile faded upon hearing what Cliff said. He couldn't help but stare at Cliff. "Can you not bring that up on a day like this?" he said.Cliff then realized that what he'd said seemed a bit inappropriate for such an occasion."My bad. I won't say it again," Cliff apologized.As they were talking, Shirley walked toward them with a painting in her hands."Hey, Shirley," Henry greeted.Shirley handed him her painting and said, "This is a little gift from me. It represents my blessing for you and Natalie. I wish you a life as beautiful as paintings."Henry accepted Shirley's gift with a smile.At first, he thought it was just an ordinary painting. But upon closer inspection, he knew immediately that Shirley had painted it herself.
"By the way, get me a doctor," Henry said as he glanced at the makeup artist lying unconscious on the floor.After giving out the orders, Henry helplessly hung up the phone.He kept praying in his heart and hoped that it was just a false alarm.He and Natalie had wasted too much time, and he wished that Fate would stop being so cruel to them.He was even willing to give everything he had in exchange for Natalie's safety.Meanwhile, Yvonne was so anxious that she kept fidgeting with her hands. However, she didn't ask Henry any questions. After all, she could see that Henry was even more anxious than she was.A moment later, the person in charge of the hotel hurriedly came and asked, "Anything wrong, Mr. Chase?""Is this how your hotel manages security?" Henry took a glance at the makeup artist on the floor. Then, he said in a deep tone, "I can't get a hold of my wife now!"Although Henry sounded like he was placing the blame on the hotel, in reality, he placed more blame on hims
The person in charge was sweating buckets at this point and didn't dare waste any more time. He nodded and immediately sent his men out in search of Natalie.After everyone left, Henry let out a heavy sigh.Yvonne observed Henry closely and comforted him, "Henry, let's wait for the news. Don't worry too much, okay? I'm sure Natalie will be fine."Yvonne wasn't just comforting Henry, but she was comforting herself too.Although Henry was anxious, he didn't want to show it to Yvonne. So, he forced himself to calm down and said, "I understand, Mom."Then, Henry said, "Mom, please wait in the hall. I'm going out for a bit."Henry couldn't bring himself to sit around and wait any longer. He had to go out and help in the search. He wanted to find Natalie himself!Henry hoped the first person Natalie saw when she was saved was him."Are you going out to search for Natalie?" Yvonne saw right through him.Henry nodded. "Yes, I must search for her.""Be careful, Henry! You have to be
"Who's this?" Henry asked swiftly."You're looking for Natalie, right?" the other person asked.Henry silently tightened his grip on the steering wheel.As expected, the person on the other end of the line must have taken Natalie away! But Henry still couldn't figure out who they were!This cluelessness only frustrated him."Where's Natalie? I'm warning you, I'll make you pay if you harm her!" Henry warned through gritted teeth."No need to threaten me. Now, look ahead. Is there a garbage truck parked in the opposite lane?"The other person's tone sounded like everything was under their control.A chill ran down Henry's spine.Who the hell was this person? Were they watching him right now? How else would they have known such specific information?Henry turned to look at the opposite lane. Indeed, there was a garbage truck parked there."Weren't you looking for Natalie? You'd better not lose sight of that truck or… you'll never see Natalie again," the other person gloated."
"Your brother's condition isn't looking too good, either. The truck crashed directly into him, and he probably couldn't avoid it."So… his legs sustained severe injuries." The doctor sighed."How bad is it?" Harry pressed on."We suspect… he won't be able to walk normally from now on," the doctor said with a heavy look.Harry's heart tightened at this.That proud and young Henry wouldn't be able to walk normally again? How cruel could life be?Harry's heart sank, and for a moment, he couldn't find the words to speak.He didn't know where things went wrong. Why did such a disastrous event happen on a day like this?Looking at this city adorned with lights, brimming with festive vibes, and then at this cold hospital…It was truly a stark contrast."Your brother is still under anesthesia, so he won't be awake any time soon. You can… go to the morgue to see your father and start arranging for his funeral," the doctor kindly suggested.Harry nodded, feeling as if all the strength
After calling the ambulance, Henry once again shifted his gaze toward Cliff, who was lying beside him.He kept talking to Cliff, but the latter never responded. Back then, he already had a bad feeling about this. Yet, at the same time, a glimmer of hope clung to his thoughts.Henry entertained the idea that fate might spare them from such cruelty. However, illusions were just that—illusions. And reality tended to be cruel."Henry, it's all in the past now. Don't overthink it. Prioritize your recovery…" Harry's words brought Henry back from his thoughts.Henry gradually opened his eyes. When he did, everything appeared tinged with red, and his throat felt raw.He managed to croak out, "Is he in the morgue?"Harry nodded with a mournful look. "Yes, I just came from there.""I'll go see him." Henry prepared to lift the blanket and get out of bed.Seeing this, Harry hurriedly stepped forward and placed a hand on Henry's shoulder.Henry's attempt to get up likely meant that he wasn
Henry couldn't count how many times he'd been at the morgue just this year alone.Having faced so many deaths, not only did he not become numb to them, but each one was more sorrowful than the last.Because it meant that the people around him were dwindling. Despite how hard he tried, he couldn't keep death from getting ahold of his loved ones."We're here. I'll wait outside and give you and Dad some alone time," Harry said before leaving the room.The morgue was quiet, and even the footsteps sounded unusually distinct.Each tap felt like an added weight on Henry's heart. He was also on the verge of a breakdown.After Harry walked out, Henry shakily pulled back the white cloth in front of him.When he saw that face, he suddenly covered the corpse with the cloth again, his entire body trembling violently.He couldn't bring himself to look at Cliff.Scars covered Cliff's face, along with his pale complexion…It all reminded Henry of the cruel reality.He muttered to Cliff thro
When Harry saw Shirley's expression, his heart sank.Why did he feel that tonight's Christmas wasn't an ordinary one?"Do you remember the first time we met?" Shirley began.If only people could choose to linger on their most precious memories!Harry forced down his uneasiness and replied, "Of course I remember."Their first meeting was on Christmas, at Winterfield.That year, Winterfield hosted a lively masquerade ball, where many people attended wearing masks.Each person could choose a dance partner without revealing each other's identities. He and Shirley happened to catch each other's eyes in the crowd.Perhaps Shirley considered it fate. Yet, Harry had planned it all.Their story began after that Christmas."Why did you choose me that day?" Shirley flashed him a bright smile.But in reality, she already knew that their first encounter wasn't just a matter of fate."I just felt drawn to you that day even though you were wearing a mask. Those eyes captivated my heart. I