"Take down all these reports and hot searches! Is the PR department full of dead people?" Darwin saw the hot search and erupted in anger. "She is just missing, not dead! No!""Darwin, have you lost your mind enough?" Wyatt came in from outside, with a scruffy beard and messy hair.Darwin coldly glanced at him, "What are you here for?""The PR department's phones are blowing up with inquiries from major media outlets about Fiona." Wyatt's face turned grim. "I'm asking you, should we release the obituary?"Darwin charged at him directly, grabbing Wyatt and slamming him against the wall. "She's not dead, why should we release an obituary?""Whether she's dead or not, don't you have any idea? How many times have you confirmed that she indeed boarded the plane? How could she survive if the plane crashed like that? Tell me, how could she survive?" Wyatt raised his hand and punched Darwin square in the face. He punched with all his might. The punch made Darwin take two steps back.These past
In a daze, Lilian heard Darwin cry out in pain."Where does it hurt? Darwin, tell me where it hurts," Lilian gently asked.At that moment, Darwin's gaze suddenly fell upon her, and his previously hazy eyes brightened. He grabbed hold of Lilian.Honestly, Lilian was happy in that instant but the happiness was short-lived. Because in the next second, before Darwin lost consciousness, he called her, "Fiona, you've come back? I missed you, missed you..."Lilian looked at the unconscious Darwin, and it finally dawned on her. So Darwin mistook her for Fiona. Has she become the substitute for her own substitute?Darwin's serious illness lasted until the following spring, gradually showing signs of improvement.In the meantime, Anniston his mom escaped from the mental institution and, by taking advantage of Darwin's illness, tried to regain control of the Solomons with the help of the Soloman family's collateral branches.The commotion was intense. There were even rumors that Darwin was criti
After tending to the babies, Janna went straight to Fiona's side. She found Fiona exhausted, deep in sleep. Ashton and the two nannies were taking care of things nearby. Upon seeing Janna, Ashton's eyes reddened as she stood up. "Grandma, Fiona has really suffered this time!" she cried. Janna patted her hand gently, saying, "Giving birth is no easy feat, especially to twins."Fiona had intended to deliver naturally, but complications led to a cesarean section. Ashton wanted to say more, feeling sorry for Fiona who had endured so much pain to give birth to Darwin's children, only for him to reconcile with his first love. How appalling!Janna stayed by Fiona's side, wiping her hands and face. It wasn't until midnight that Fiona awoke. "You're back..." she greeted Janna weakly. They hadn't been close in recent months, and during childbirth, Fiona had thought of her mother again, knowing her own birth hadn't been easy."Thank you for your hard work," Janna said tenderly, holding Fiona's h
Initially, Lilian was angry, but after being ignored by Darwin for so long, her feelings waned. Fiona was deceased; how could she lose to someone who was no longer there? Over time, Lilian began altering her appearance to resemble Fiona's—year after year, until five years had elapsed.She remained employed at Solomon. Initially desiring a secretarial role, she was rebuffed by Darwin. Her significant involvement in the Anniston incident led to Darwin assigning her to the sales department, located a considerable distance from the president's office on the 6th floor. Lilian worked tirelessly, making her presence known to Darwin at every opportunity.On business trips, she risked her self-respect by appearing at Darwin's door in a nightgown. Despite this, he never reciprocated her advances, offering only occasional, vacant stares.Outside of work, Lilian saw little of Darwin. He spent much of the year in Serene City or alone in Bay City, in the apartment he once shared with Fiona. Lilian'
Darwin's vigilant expression dissolved into laughter just before he vanished, leaving Lilian in awe. A realization hit her: Darwin's longing for the child he and Fiona had lost might still linger. Perhaps he yearned for a child of his own. Touching her stomach, Lilian bit her lip with resolve.At the orthopedic ward, Wendy led the little one away while Stuart and his sister argued about his tears. Ashton, peeling an apple for his grandmother, looked on with curiosity."Weren't they all fine this morning? Why argue now?" Ashton mused.Like a nimble monkey, the little one escaped Wendy's hold and clambered onto Ashton."Godmother, a bad man bullied Wendy, but I protected her. She's being unreasonable and blaming me. I won't be nice to her anymore!" the child declared."What bad man?" Ashton asked, his brow furrowing as he regarded Wendy.Wendy shrank back. "Just a gentleman passing by..." She couldn't dare reveal the near mishap, or she'd face severe consequences."Why is he bad? How di
Fiona was startled. She headed to Stuart’s room and found three small suitcases lined up. “Missing your little sister?” she asked, giving her son a kiss.It was the siblings’ first separation since their birth. Stuart, unlike the emotionally vibrant Chicago, seemed detached. He seldom smiled and carried a solemn demeanor. Since his return, he hadn’t spoken of missing his sister.“Mom misses my sister too,” Fiona said with a mix of laughter and tears.At that moment, Burl approached the door sorrowfully. “Sis, are you leaving too?” he asked. Still in school, Burl couldn’t accompany them. Five years prior, he was the first to learn Fiona was alive by implanting a virus in their shared email address, which activated the computer’s camera upon login.Four years ago, old Allmond didn’t survive the winter. Burl, gifted in IT, was accepted into a prestigious university in Country M and had founded a successful internet company with classmates.“Stuart and Chicago are five now; it’s time they
The awkwardness vanished as Ashton returned with Chicago and sat across from Chris.“Why are you back?” Ashton inquired.“For Chris’s wedding,” he replied.As Ashton poured tea, her hand shook slightly. She had learned to control her reactions over the years.“He’s getting married?” she asked.“He has a blind date,” explained Chris’s father. “They were childhood sweethearts.”Ashton congratulated him, but Lisa criticized her for skipping her own arranged dates.Chicago sensed Ashton’s discomfort and offered her candy, which Ashton accepted with a kiss.Lisa scolded her, then softened, “Don’t worry, I’m not angry.”The meal was served, and Wendy helped Chicago eat.Justin praised Chicago’s independence, which Ashton credited to her mother.After a few bites, Chicago was full. Ashton noticed and suggested some fresh air.Justin and Lisa discussed Ashton’s future. Justin praised her success; Lisa wished for her to marry.Lisa turned to Chris, “Look out for your sister.”Chris nodded sile
Darwin watched, a sense of déjà vu washing over him. It was as if he saw Fiona's shadow in her—the way her eyes lit up with each delicious taste, stirring a bittersweet ache in his chest."Wendy, remember this duck. I want to buy some for my big brother!" The little girl, once at odds with her sibling, now thought of sharing her treats."You have a big brother?" Darwin inquired."Yes," she said proudly but offered no further details. She had just met Chris and was taught not to discuss family matters with strangers.Darwin continued to feed her an array of treats. Chicago ate until she was full and sleepy."Sir, the young miss is tired. We should return..." Ah Wu interjected.Darwin asked for their room location."It's called... Water Pavilion!""Can you find it?" he probed.Wendy looked down, embarrassed."I'll take you." Darwin lifted Chicago and nodded to his table before leaving."No... No need!" Wendy followed hastily.Chicago nestled against Darwin's shoulder, falling asleep. Be