Maia flipped her hair lazily and smiled. "Ollie, I will be your mummy soon. Are you happy?""No, you are not my mummy! I only have one mummy, and that is Aunt Catelyn!"Ollie looked past her into the room.The door was left ajar. Ollie pursed his lips, not caring about his lost slipper, and immediately dashed into the room. Maia was shocked. She pulled the door as though trying to cover something up.Nevertheless, Ollie was rather agile. His tiny hand pushed the door, and it opened up immediately. There was only one bright light in the room, so bright that it blurred his vision.The worst part was that Cedrick was lying on the humongous bed with half his body naked under the duvet.A man's and a woman's clothes were scattered all over the floor.Ollie took two steps back in shock.Father and Maia slept on the same bed!He asked Albert before how he came about and why did his mother abandon him.Albert was not very clear about it. However, he remembered very vividly that A
Maia glared at him. Earlier, she served him the pick-me-up and thought she could coax him into drinking it. However, he looked sober but was, in fact, very drunk right from the start.…The morning sun shone in. 'Pretty girl, why are you crying?''Don't worry…'The hysterical and presumptuous laugh rang in her ears again. Catelyn was lying on her bed, still trapped in the nightmare. "No!"She sprang up from her bed, gasping for air, panting.She also accidentally pulled on the wounds on her forehead and shoulders.The pain woke her up, and she realized there was a tube in her veins. The wound on her forehead had been treated.She was at a place that she was unfamiliar with.Where is this?"Miss Clark, you are finally awake," a man with a deep voice said.She looked in the direction of the voice. She saw David, with Winnie following behind him, walking toward her. He was smiling lightly, and his gaze was gentle under his framed glasses. Nevertheless, Catelyn was not p
"You…"Winnie wanted to say something but was stopped by David. "Winnie, let Miss Clark finish her sentence."Catelyn knew that without David's greenlight, she could never leave this place. This looked like his private residence. She tried to compose herself so that she could calm down."Did you plant those races there last night?"David did not deny it, instead said, "If they hurt you, I will punish them for you.""I am not aware that I am so important. You could punish your most loyal associates just for me. Aren't you afraid that you hurt their feelings?"David slowly walked to the tea table and poured a glass of water for himself. He took a small sip and said, "Who would know that it was me?""Of course, you are Nine. I am impressed by how ruthless you are."Catelyn could roughly guess what happened and did not want to beat around the bush anymore. She looked straight into David's eyes and said, "You would not save me without any reason. Tell me, what do you want?"S
"I don't need you to marry me. I just want you to stay by my side."Then, Maia knelt before Cedrick, tugging at his pants, looking all pitiful."I had already cut ties with that man! I only have eyes for you. You could see me as Catelyn's replacement. I will not mind it! Really! I just wish to keep you company…"Cedrick's expression was cold as he ordered, "Stand up.""I don't want to stand up unless you promise me…"Albert's voice could be heard from the door."Master Cedrick? Are you up? Miss Coleman is here…"…Miles was kidnapped while on his way to school and was brought to the mansion.He took a few steps back as soon as he hopped off the car and looked defensively at David. "Based on the criminal laws, kidnapping children could land you a death sentence, plus having all your possessions confiscated. You better release me unscathed. I would consider letting this slide!"David did not expect Miles to be able to remain calm and composed in the face of adversity but was
Catelyn swayed ever so slightly. Her features stiffened as she clenched her fists.A few seconds later, she responded coldly, "I have nothing to do with Cedrick anymore."David's smile lingered on his face as he grabbed the remote controller of the television to switch it on. Instantly, a news report appeared on the screen.It was the press conference Cedrick and Maia had held. The two stood next to one another, and under the spotlights, it almost seemed as though there was no other couple as compatible as they were.Countless reporters flooded the hall, and the sounds of camera flashing did not cease."Mister Mason, rumor has it that you've been engaged to Miss Maia Clark for four years now. You haven't shown any intention of getting married so far, so why are you deciding on it now?""Both the Mason and Clark families are powerful clans in Sapphire City. The union of the two families is a big deal, so why are you spending only three days on the wedding preparation?""Miss Clar
"It's over?" Joanne leaped from the couch. "How's that possible?! I was so moved when I saw him taking care of you in the hospital that day! Why on earth did you two break up?""I lied to him, and he lied to me. It's just a scam coming to its end."Catelyn smiled bitterly and took a deep breath before deadpanning, "I've decided to leave Sapphire City tomorrow. According to the information the hacker provided me, I'll be going to Milarn tomorrow. Let's drink until we drop tonight."Noticing that she was forcing a smile, Joanne persisted, saying, "Just cry if you want to. I know you still like him."'Cry?' Catelyn mused to herself. 'I want to, but how's that going to help? Crying won't solve the problem. The only thing I care about is whether Maia would mistreat Ollie once she becomes his stepmother. What happens if Ollie regrets his choice and wants to come with me, but can't manage to reach me?'Little did Catelyn know, however, that while she talked to Joanne about her schedule,
After the maid was done with the juice, she turned around and realized that 'Ollie' was missing. She looked around in confusion searchingly, thinking to herself, 'Huh? Where has Master Ollie gone?'"Violet, is my juice ready?" Maia called out impatiently."Coming, Miss Clark!" The maid, Violet, walked toward her smilingly. "Here's your juice."Maia lifted the glass leisurely.Ever since they had announced that the wedding would be held next week, Maia could barely contain herself from executing her right as the lady of the estate.Although she was respected in Mason Estate before, she was merely a fiance. With the wedding date announced, however, she was about to legally become Cedrick's wife, so she had hurried to Mason Estate before even going to a wedding dress shop.She caught the straw between her lips and took a deep sip.However…"Pfft!" She turned green and spat the juice out abruptly, causing Violet to gape at her."Miss Clark, what are you—""What did you put in thi
Maia scanned her surroundings swiftly and sneered when she noticed nothing suspicious around them. She thus paced toward 'Ollie'. "You want to scare me off, huh? It's not going to be that easy! I'm going to beat some sense into you—"She came to a sudden halt when Miles took out a toy air gun from his pocket and began loading it with orange-colored bullets.Horror took over her features. "W…What are you doing, Ollie? L—Let's talk! We can live together peacefully, and I promise that I'll—""Bam!" Miles shot at Maia's heels.She barely dodged the bullet and bumped into the handrail as a result, which sent numbing pain up her arm."Wow, you look cool dodging the bullet!" Miles imitated the way cowboys on television would blow the smoke off the pipe and pouted. "Alas, you won't be so lucky after this."Bam! Bam! Bam!"He fired a few more shots. One for bullying Ollie, another for taking Cedrick away and hurting Catelyn in the process, and the last with wishes that she would remain w