Haley came back to her senses and gently shook her head. "I’m not feeling guilty, I’m just wondering why my mom fell for Joe."Joe had nothing going for him except his looks. He had no skills, a chauvinistic attitude, loved saving face, and wasn’t kind or caring to her mother at all. She could not understand what her mother saw in him that was worth holding onto.Shane chuckled. "Love doesn’t make sense. It’s like how I love you. There’s no reason for it. I just do."Haley blushed, not expecting him to flirt in such a serious moment. "Stop talking nonsense. Behave yourself."Shane’s smile deepened, and he leaned in close, his lips almost touching hers. "Everything I said is true. I just love you, and I will never let you down."Facing Shane’s deep, sincere gaze, Haley’s heart raced. She stared at the man in front of her, and when he was about to kiss her, she closed her eyes.Just as their lips were about to touch, a loud cough erupted from the hospital bed. Joe glared at the c
Haley shook her head silently, feeling a twinge of sympathy for Joe. At the same time, a sly idea began to form in her mind. Maybe letting Xena out was not such a bad idea. They might end up fighting each other, and she could enjoy the show.With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Haley said, "Joe, do you remember the condition I mentioned the other day? If you tell me why you slandered my mother, I might consider releasing Xena and Sue."Joe's eyes lit up. "Are you serious?"Haley nodded."Put it in writing. I don't trust you."Joe eyed her warily, filled with suspicion. He could not afford to make any mistakes now.Haley agreed, and Shane fetched paper and pen from a nurse. She quickly wrote down the promise and signed it.Shane glanced at Haley with concern, his expression tense. He had already uncovered part of the truth about Yvonne and worried that Haley might not be able to handle it.Joe, seeing Haley's signature, smirked. "Actually, back then, your mother and I were
"A woman hanging out with a bunch of men every day? She knows better than anyone how those deals were made!" Joe sneered.Haley, infuriated, grabbed Joe by the collar. Her eyes were blazing with anger as she spoke. "If she hadn't worked so hard, would you have enjoyed all those years of luxury? She gave up everything, even her beloved violin, to help you. How dare you slander her?"The more she listened, the more Haley's heart ached for her mother. As a child, she only knew her parents' relationship was strained and saw her mother cry daily. But she never realized how much her mother had endured.Her heart felt like it was being pierced by countless sharp knives, each one leaving her more shattered. She could barely breathe from the pain, and she wanted nothing more than to tear Joe apart.Joe struggled to breathe as Haley's grip tightened on his collar, his face turning red. He tried to pry her hands away, his eyes pleading with Shane for help. "Mr. Ford, help me..."Shane merely
Before Haley could speak, Shane tugged on her arm. His sharp gaze locked onto Joe as he slightly smirked. "Do you think you can slander my mother-in-law with just your words? Why should we believe you?"Joe straightened his face and huffed, "Believe it or not, I have the evidence. If you don't comply, I'll release the photos anytime."When Yvonne was alive, Joe held onto those photos out of spite. She died not knowing he still had them. Haley exchanged a glance with Shane, feeling her heart sink. Joe did not seem to be lying.Could the photos be real? No matter the content, if Joe got angry and released them, the consequences would be disastrous.Taking a deep breath, Haley forced herself to stay calm. Panicking now would only give Joe the upper hand. "Joe, I might consider releasing Sue and Xena, but you'll have to prove you have the photos first. Otherwise, I'm taking a huge risk."Joe's eyes flickered. After a moment of thought, he nodded. "Alright, three days from now
Joe lay on the bed, breathing deeply. He was terrified of dying. He was only in his fifties and he still wanted to live a long life. He could not afford to let anything happen to him now.Thinking of this, a vicious gleam flashed in Joe's eyes. Haley, that little brat, why hadn't she just died already? If he had known it would come to this, he never would have softened and kept her around. Now, she was nothing but trouble.Taking another deep breath to steady himself, Joe turned to the nurse. "Nurse, when can I be discharged?"The nurse looked surprised. "You’re in no condition to be discharged. The doctor said you need to stay in the hospital for at least ten days to two weeks.""What? No, I can't stay that long! I have important things to take care of!" Joe's agitation caused his chest to ache again.The nurse sighed. "Mr. Carter, Miss Haley already paid your hospital bills. You should stay and rest." She mumbled under her breath, "I don’t understand these rich families. With
After work, Shane went to pick up Haley, and they headed to the hospital together. Joe was holding a photo, looking quite smug and much healthier than a few days ago."Well? I kept my word and brought the photo. Now let Xena and Sue go," he demanded. As for Zoe, her well-being did not concern him in the slightest. Ten days in detention was nothing, and she would be released soon enough. There was no need to make a fuss over her. But Xena was different. She had been pampered all her life and must have suffered greatly in there. The thought of it pained Joe, and he desperately wanted to get Xena out as soon as possible.Haley scoffed and took the photo. She glanced at it and found it was not as incriminating as Joe had claimed. The photo was taken in a private room at a five-star restaurant. Yvonne was surrounded by men in suits, holding a wine glass as if toasting. One man’s hand hovered near Yvonne's waist, but it was clear from her expression and body language that she was
When Haley learned the truth, she didn't know whether to feel happy about Joe's misfortune or pity him. The daughter he had cherished for so many years wasn't even his, and he had been kept in the dark the whole time, giving everything for her.Haley sighed inwardly and shook her head. Next to her, both Shane and Dean had similarly complicated expressions. Shane’s expression remained stoic and unreadable as always, but Dean couldn’t hold back his amusement. Watching the heartfelt reunion between Joe and Xena, Dean struggled to suppress his laughter, almost hurting himself in the process. Joe was, without a doubt, the biggest fool Dean had ever seen. To an outsider, the reunion might have seemed touching, but knowing the truth, Dean found it hilarious. He finally let out a laugh, which echoed abruptly in the hospital room.Joe and Xena turned to him, clearly annoyed. "Why are you all still here?" Joe snapped.Dean cleared his throat, regaining his composure, and retorte
Haley clenched her teeth, trying to control the surge of emotions inside her. If Joe wasn’t bedridden, she would have kicked him already.She grabbed Joe by the collar, her voice cold and unyielding. "Lead the way."She needed to get those photos today to prevent any future trouble and let her mother rest in peace.Joe panted, pleading frantically, "We can talk this out, just let me go…"Seeing Joe's pale face, Shane gently pulled Haley's arm and reminded her, "Finding the photos is the priority."Haley loosened her grip, and Joe fell back into his seat.Under Joe’s guidance, the group arrived at Yvonne’s grave. Joe stumbled, barely able to stand, supported by Sue and Dean on either side. Sue did not dare to breathe loudly the entire time, nor did she dare to look Haley in the eyes. She knew how much Haley had trusted her before. But she had betrayed that trust for Joe's sake, and now she couldn't face Haley. All she wanted was for this matter to end quickly, hoping Haley wou