Previously, there had been an incident involving Zachary's kidnapping by the Fulham family. Although it was eventually determined that Brook wasn't involved, Hanson still harbored resentment.Joey's words made him think even less of Brook.But Brook was a businessman, and an alliance with the Yates family wouldn't bring him much benefit.Moreover, this marriage wasn't about financial gain. The two families had been friends for generations and wanted to strengthen their bond through marriage.So, what was the real reason behind Brook's actions?"I can't investigate this thoroughly. My uncle is deeply intertwined with our family since my mother's twin sister is married to him. I can only ask about it," Hanson said.The family's relationships were complex. Even if Brook acted out of greed, his grandparents would prioritize family harmony and urge Vaughn to forgive him."This is your family's matter. I'm just giving you a heads-up," Joey said calmly. Hanson didn't need to explain hi
Zachary's basic personal information could be found online, but this detail was hidden. It was clear that he didn't want anyone to know that he had tooth decay due to overeating candy when he was a child.Once Brook was convinced, he coldly watched as Zachary was dragged together with the cage toward the private entertainment venue's underground arena."It doesn't matter if that woman dies. With such severe injuries, she'll succumb to infection within a few days after being thrown out of the venue," Brook grumbled to the man next to him as they headed to the spectator area."But Zachary must die." His face contorted with anger as he spoke. "Without him, my daughter will eventually marry Kenneth."His parents' power will be at our disposal by then, and the billions we earn can be laundered through filmmaking. It's all his fault!""I've prepared a fun little game for him," the man, Ashton Conrad, said with a grin. While Brook's fury was evident, Ashton was excited about the upcoming
Ashton reconsidered Brook's words, glanced at Selena, and finally agreed to Zachary's request.Selena would die within a day if thrown outside.Out there, countless vile men awaited her, ready to drag her into dark corners until her body was completely ruined.The staff members approached and unchained Selena.Selena was covered in blood, and her clothes were tattered. She turned and grabbed the iron cage, and looked at Zachary tearfully."You're unhurt and can continue living, but I can't hold on any longer. Just finish me off and save yourself!""I came here alone to get you out. Once you're out, you have to make it to the embassy. Otherwise, we might only meet again on the road to the afterlife." Zachary smiled.Selena wanted to say more but was grabbed and dragged away by the staff. She cried as she left, constantly looking back with her eyes filled with deep sorrow and reluctance.Zachary finally felt at ease after watching her leave the cage.The cage began to spin again
Although his thigh and shoulder wounds were not fatal, his internal injuries were severe. When the car had crashed into the tree, his body slammed into the seat.He wanted to sleep, but his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Joey.Zachary used the weapon in his hand to hit his knee, and the pain jolted him awake. He gasped and harshly slapped Shane across the face.Shane woke up from the hit and looked down at Zachary, who lay immobile on the ground. He forced a smile. "Won't you even let me die? You can't depend on me like this…""Give me the phone. I need to say goodbye to Joey," Zachary demanded.No one in the hospital had noticed them yet, and even if they did, Zachary felt his time was running out.He had no choice but to let Kenneth take care of her.But he had to be selfish just this once. He wanted to be the one she remembered fondly.Shane handed him the phone and said with a smile, "The phone is more valuable than our lives."Zachary laughed heartily. He opened Wh
Joey patted her back as she softly comforted her, "It's okay now. You're back."Selena was still crying. "We're too well-protected. You have no idea how chaotic it is outside…""You're home now," Joey reassured her.Suddenly, Selena pushed her away. "Is Zachary back?""Not yet. He's in the hospital over there. He's also injured. I heard Shane is in worse condition, so they have to stay there for a while," Joey said with a smile.That was what Henry had told her.Recently, she hadn't been able to contact Zachary. Henry and Lawrence had already gone there, and Henry confirmed that everything was fine before calling her."The hospital there isn't well-equipped…" Selena had doubts."Yes, but Zachary said he has to talk with the people there about the place you stayed in. We don't understand these things. Just focus on healing, and everything will be fine," Joey comforted her.Selena nodded. It was then that she noticed Hanson."Your sister did this!" she glared at Hanson and shou
Joey was a bit surprised that he suddenly brought this up."I'll ask Hanson about it. Is there anything else you want to tell me?" Joey asked.She sensed something was off. Was Zachary busy, or was he simply unable to take her calls?"Mr. Gray has always cared about you. After you left, he wasn't used to it. Sometimes, he would stare at the fridge for a long time, or stand silently in front of the wardrobe in the morning," Henry said slowly.Joey pursed her lips and stayed silent."Maybe he didn't realize it the day you two split up. But later, seeing the food you liked in the fridge, the clothes you loved in the wardrobe, the cups you used at home, he finally understood the pain of losing you."Henry thought that if Zachary never woke up, he needed to clear up their misunderstandings from the past."Did something happen to him?" Joey suddenly asked.She didn't believe Henry was saying this just to reconcile them. Henry and Shane had been with Zachary the longest, so they knew
Emily apologized to Selena in the hospital room while Hanson and Vaughn stood in the corridor outside.Vaughn hesitated and looked at Hanson eagerly."Don't even think about it. If Joey could stay mad at Zachary for a year, imagine what she'd do if she found out you did a DNA test without her consent. She'd never forgive you," Hanson said coldly."I just want proof. I won't bother her for now." Vaughn was anxious, his palms sweaty from nerves."Mrs. Linton Senior has a lot of misunderstandings about our family. You and Mom should meet her first," Hanson said seriously."Joey is busy with work every day. Emily and I don't have the chance to meet her," Vaughn said while feeling utterly lost. He felt like everything he did was wrong."I'll invite Joey out for dinner tonight. You'll have two hours. Think carefully, prepare what you want to ask and apologize for, and get it all done in one go," Hanson advised his usually authoritative father."Okay, I got it." Vaughn nodded.Hanson
In a pitch-black room, Brook endured the pain as he poured iodine on the wound on his leg. It nearly made him faint. He bit down hard on a towel and muffled his groans of pain.Shirley held him with tears streaming down her face. Her voice was filled with hatred as she said, "I won't forgive Zachary for making you suffer like this!"Brook leaned against her and spat out the towel once the pain subsided and said weakly, "Zachary might already be dead."That day, he got knocked away together with the cage. There was a car crash after that, and he was shot…""I'm doing everything I can to track him down. As long as he hasn't returned to the country, we have nothing to fear!" Shirley said angrily."Prepare yourself. I don't think we'll be able to launder our money completely. We thought Yvonne was smart and capable, but she turned out to be a fool in love who only knew how to ruin everything!"Brook was seething, wishing that he could tear Yvonne apart."I'll help you remove the nec
Joey shot him a cold glance. "You and he are both the same, so neither of you should be laughing at the other."Zachary nodded. "You're right, but I've turned over a new leaf now.""Let's go. Enough about him," Joey said. She was annoyed whenever Henry was brought up.He had a great girl willing to be with him, yet he was still unhappy. Any other man would have been grinning from ear to ear.They arrived at the restaurant, and while Joey ordered the food, Zachary sent a message to Henry."You should think about this. Joey and Grandma just want you to have someone by your side in the future, which is why they're saying these things."Don't give up on her just because of what her parents said. Having someone who genuinely likes you is rare."From Zachary's perspective, Henry had a pretty good start. Tessa didn't mind his circumstances, so what was he dissatisfied with?Henry quickly replied, "I know. I'll think about it carefully."In truth, Henry found it all a bit troublesome.
Henry was immediately startled and started stammering, "O-Okay."As soon as Joey hung up the phone, she turned to see Tessa, who was crying pitifully, and handed her a tissue.Tessa took the tissue and sobbed without saying a word.Monica had prepared some desserts for her and looked at her with compassion. "Henry has never been in love before. Plus, he's straightforward and doesn't know how to talk properly. There's no need to cry."Joey thought that Henry just didn't love Tessa enough. Otherwise, how could he say such things?Tessa's eyes were swollen and red. Her tears continuously streamed down. "I know he doesn't like me. Maybe he just agreed to the relationship because I pursued him."Joey patted her shoulder. "In love, if one person is too proactive, the other will seem passive. The fact that you dared to love already makes you braver than many.""What's the point? He doesn't care about me at all." Tessa sniffled."Here, eat something," Monica said. "Feelings like love d
No one tried to persuade Henry further, but Zachary continued to say to him, "Come with me to choose a location for the security company. It's worth doing."Henry was a bit speechless. "I'm not even pursuing the relationship anymore. Why should I still think about the security company?"Zachary responded, "Do you plan to cling to Joey's coattails your whole life? Once the business is set up, you can have apprentices teach others, and you can become a hands-off boss in a year or two."With that, Zachary headed out.After they left, Monica sighed in disappointment. "And I here I thought Henry had found someone good for him.""I think it's quite normal. Finding a good woman isn't easy," Joey said.Henry was indeed a good person, but with one eye missing and his job as a bodyguard, it was inevitable that Tessa's parents would worry."How disappointing," Monica murmured repeatedly.Joey didn't know what else to say and could only comfort her. "There's still a chance. What if Tessa d
Joey snorted. "You looked down on me and thought I had no opinions back then."Zachary pulled her into his arms. "Joey, do you like the person you are now or the person you were before?""What about you?" Joey asked him."I liked you from the beginning. Do you think I would have pursued you for so long if I didn't? I never thought you were serious about the divorce. At first, I was angry, but now I just think I was too slow to react."Joey was genuinely angry back then, but he had thought she was playing hard to get.The two of them sat close and watched the movie together.Selena hadn't returned yet, so Joey guessed that she wouldn't be coming back."Selena probably won't return. Hanson is cunning by taking her away with just a movie," Joey said.Zachary turned off the projector and was still savoring the moment as Joey left his arms."They're in love. Otherwise, Selena wouldn't go with him so easily," Zachary remarked.Selena must really like Hanson. Otherwise, she wouldn't
Zachary squeezed her hand tightly. "You're just like an exquisite and beautiful flower."Joey couldn't help but laugh. She pulled her hand back with a little force. "Even though we just had a heartfelt conversation, I haven't thought about being your girlfriend.""I get it. You're Chloe, and countless people are lining up to pursue you," Zachary said in a voice tinged with jealousy.If she wasn't so focused on her work, she probably would have found a new boyfriend by now. For example, Kenneth was an excellent person. If Joey had accepted him back then, Zachary thought he wouldn't stand a chance now.When they got back to Emmen, Joey freshened up and got back to work.Zachary couldn't help but say, "Can't you take a break?""I've gotten used to this over the past year. When I can't sleep at night, I'll work. I find it hard to relax now," Joey said while reading a document intently.Without her dedication and hard work, Emmen wouldn't have grown so quickly.Zachary beckoned her
Zachary felt a heavy weight on his chest as he looked at Joey.She continued, "Even if I accept you again, and we try to rebuild a family, I know things can never go back to the way they were. I gave you my best years, and I don't feel like I owe you anything."During those three years, you ignored my true feelings and neglected me. Do you think it's possible to go back to the past now?"Zachary said, "I'm truly sorry.""I want to fully accept you, but I can't. You all think that the many hurts inflicted on me are something I can just get over, let go of, and move forward from. But I can't."I realize now that people are complicated and hold grudges. I constantly revisit every wrong done to me. If I didn't care, it would mean I don't care about any of you at all."Joey rarely opened up to Zachary like this, but she felt it necessary to make this clear.Zachary watched her silently and felt as though it was his first time knowing what she actually thought."It's like how I don't
Selena readily agreed, "Alright. It's not fair for you to handle everything alone."Her relationship with Hanson was intense and passionate at the beginning, but now that the initial fire had burned out, Selena felt less attached to Hanson. But after dinner, she was still dragged by Hanson to watch a new movie.Joey was exhausted from work and didn't want to move, so she sat at the dining table with Zachary to enjoy the peace."Shall we head back soon?" Zachary asked after a long while.Joey hummed, exhausted. "Let's sit a bit longer.""If you don't want to walk, I can carry you," Zachary said with a smile.Joey snorted. "Do you want Grandma to scold me? Have you even recovered?""Probably not. These wounds don't heal so easily," Zachary admitted honestly. He wanted to please Joey but had forgotten that his health was no longer as robust as before."Let's sit for another half an hour," Joey said as she leaned back in her chair and replied to messages on her phone."You're work
Selena felt that what Joey said made sense and immediately nodded in agreement. "Then I won't consider marriage."Zachary glanced at them and thought that Selena was a bad influence on Joey. Even if they were married, couldn't they still have fun? What was the difference?Around noon, Hanson and Tessa arrived at Emmen together.As soon as Tessa saw Henry, she ran to him and grabbed his arm. "I got out of class early to see you. You're not mad, are you?"Henry was taken aback, but seeing Tessa clinging to him so sweetly filled his heart with joy."Not at all. Why didn't you tell me? I could have picked you up," Henry said.Tessa held his hand. "Why do you have to pick me up? I know where you work, so I can come to find you."Henry nodded dumbly."Tessa, have you eaten?" Monica stepped forward with a gentle smile."No, but my parents want to invite him to dinner tonight. I've already arranged it with them," Tessa said with a smile.Joey thought this wasn't just a regular dinner
Henry had a smile on his face, looking quite pleased with himself. "Of course, she fell in love with me at first sight."Selena laughed. "Impressive! But your cosplay style probably appeals to most young girls, right?"Henry may have only one eye, but he was still very handsome. He was like a cosplayer you'd see on the street.He simply smiled and picked up his phone to check in with Tessa.After chatting, Henry grinned like a fool. "She asked me out to lunch. She said she doesn't have classes this afternoon and wants to take me to her place."Joey felt a bit envious. "You're incredibly lucky. You need to cherish this."Henry nodded as Monica looked at Henry with a smile."What is your girlfriend studying in grad school?" Selena asked curiously."Something related to Eldelish language studies I think," Henry replied, unsure.Joey nodded. "That sounds good."After finishing his meal, Henry sat nearby, playing on his phone.Selena couldn't help but tell Joey, "Is he just going