She nodded dazedly and Anthony grabbed her hands to wipe them with a warm wet towel."I can do it myself..." She wanted to avoid his touch. Though she could not see, she could still wipe her own hands."Don't move." He tightened his grip and refused to let her escape.Anne gave up on resisting. The warm sensation slowly moved from the back of her hands to her palms and she felt exceptionally sensation because she could not see.He moved from her left hand to her right and for a moment, it felt as though all the nerves of her hands were directly linked to her heart and her heart raced at the slightest movement."Enough." Unable to stand it any longer, she decided to jolt her hands away and placed them under the table, while clenching her fists.She hated how she felt because she knew what it meant: she had fallen for Anthony uncontrollably.She would sometimes feel resentful at the fact that she had temporarily lost her memories, as she would not have fallen for Anthony otherwise
Anne could sense her heart racing, threatening to leap out of her chest.Intimacy had only ever been a way for Anthony to satisfy his need to possess her, but for Anne, it started to mean something else. She panicked at the change of heart and would only feel safe if she could remain in a distance from Anthony, but Anthony would never allow that.As he moved closer to her, Anne felt as though she was about to be devoured whole.Startled, Anne struggled to hold onto her last strand of sense and struggled out of Anthony's embrace. "Stop it!"She pressed her body up against the corner and held herself in fear as though that was the only way she could defend her pride.The sound of running water and Anthony's rasped breathing echoed in the spacious bathroom."I'm done, so I'll go outside first..." Anne stumbled out of the bathtub and grabbed her pajamas on the hanging rack, before exiting the room.Anthony took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair, revealing his broodi
"An outing!" The triplets hopped up and down.Anne was the one who requested the helicopter, as she did not want to be on the road for hours, and the triplets were begging to travel on a helicopter.Once they were on the helicopter, the triplets pressed their faces against the glass windows and batted their big eyes."It's so high!""The house looks so tiny! I can't see the cars anymore!""We are flying!"Helicopters were different from planes and felt more exposed.When the helicopter tilted to the side, the three screamed and squeaked in excitement, not feeling afraid at all.Though Anne could not see, she could picture their happy faces and no longer felt as nervous about traveling on the helicopter.Anthony had been staring at Anne the entire time, studying her expression intently.Forty minutes later, the helicopter landed at the mansion, where Cory, Corentin and Ashlynn were already waiting by the door.Anne had been to the Lloyd family's chateau before and despite the
Anne was glad that she could not see Bianca's face, or she would have vomited with disgust at that very instant.'Who's one big family with you?' She thought to herself angrily. 'You are the one who killed Dad! You are my nemesis, not family! How dare you show that face here?'She quietly pulled her arm away from Anthony's hold.Anthony scowled and tensed, his expression darkening.After taking their seats, the triplets looked around curiously."Bianca happened to be working here and wanted to visit me. I'm happy that she remembers me. Though your parents had done some wrong in their lives, let's not let the past affect the next generation."Anne had no proof of Bianca's crime, or she would have never allowed Bianca to flaunt herself in this manner.Cory would not show mercy on Bianca if he found out that she was the one who killed his eldest son and Anne had not expected Bianca to be bold enough to show herself here.'Why?' She thought. 'Probably for the sake of the man standi
The butler walked in and announced, "Elder Lloyd, the food is ready.""Let's talk about the sign later. Let's eat." Cory got up.It was almost a full table.Anne and Anthony sat together as someone needed to help with her meal and it had always been Anthony who took up the role.The triplets sat next to them and Ashlynn went to sit next to Chloe, ignoring Corentin's warning glare.Meredith sat next to Corentin, while Bianca sat next to her."It's been so many years since we had such a big family gathering," Cory said."It will happen more often from now on," the butler said."Eat up. Eat whatever you want," Cory said to the others.Meredith watched as Anthony put various food onto Anne's plate and cut her steak into tiny pieces, wondering why he had ignored his own children.Ashlynn, on the other hand, was looking after the children. Soon, Meredith noticed the odd looks in Anne's eyes and realized that Anne could not see."Ashlynn, how's working in the Lloyd Group been like
"You are calling her wrong," Corentin reminded the triplets."Oh. Great-Aunt," Charlie corrected himself.Back when Ashlynn was still working as Anne's personal assistant, they had always called her 'Big Sister'.Cory's lips twitched at the way the triplets addressed Ashlynn and immediately changed the subject by commanding the butler to serve the dishes.He had been tolerant of letting Corentin bring Ashlynn along, but that was when he did not know that Meredith was coming as well.After the meal, Cory, Anthony and Corentin headed into the study room to discuss the future development of Athetin.Anne, Ashlynn, Bianca and Meredith sat by the table to sip on their tea, while the triplets played near them."Anne, you can come to Ashlynn more often from now on. I can take you around. I know every place in Athetin," Meredith offered."Thank you. I can't see right now, so I don't think I can go anywhere," Anne said."After your eyes get better, then." Meredith was reminded of somet
She had been the witness to Anthony's relentless effort of protecting Bianca, and knew that if she moved against Bianca, Anthony would do anything to stop her."What now, then?" Ashlynn asked."I'll have to find a way forward after I get my eyesight back."Ashlynn held her hand as they walked and realized that she had been wrong to think that Anne was in a better position than hers. Ashlynn did not have any children and could always leave whenever there was an opportunity. Whereas Anne had three children with Anthony, which meant that she had three reasons stopping her from leaving whenever she wanted.The two strolled forward and were about to make a turn when they heard Bianca's voice."Anthony, you told me that you are coming here with Anne, and I couldn't help but come here as well. You won't be mad at me, right?"Ashlynn froze and thought, 'Isn't that Bianca's voice? Why is she here with Anthony?'She turned to look at Anne worriedly.Anne remained expressionless as she ca
Ashlynn gaped. "Why did he tell you this?""Alligators? My uncle kept alligators as pets?" Anne was shocked."Mama, Great-Uncle told us that he has a lot of alligators and promised to take us to see them!" Charlie said excitedly."It-It's not fun to look at," Ashlynn said nervously."We love alligators!" Chris said.Ashlynn did not want the children to see Corentin's pets and when she saw the confused look on Anne's face, she explained, "There's a river behind Corentin's mansion, where he keeps alligators...""I didn't expect him to have such a hobby." Anne was referring to Salvatore.Ashlynn wanted to say that Salvatore was a twisted man who loved vicious predators like himself, but as the children were still around, she decided not to say anything."We can't see the alligators?""I want to see them!""They might look different from our books!"Charlie and Chris were boys who were naturally drawn to adventures, but even Chloe was curious."What's going on?" Anthony walked
At first, Corentin was stunned. Then, he said, "Who have I killed? Ash, you've misunderstood. I've changed now. It's true. Hurry up and come down. The ravioli is getting cold.""Don't come over! I'll jump if you get any closer!" Ashlynn shouted hysterically."Alright, alright. I won't go over!" Corentin did not dare to take another step further. "Ash, I'm telling the truth. I didn't kill anybody. Come down, and I'll explain to you. It's all a misunderstanding.""Actually, I've felt it was strange since the beginning. It's just that Anne's reassurance dispelled my suspicion about you." Tears filled Ashlynn's eyes, but they did not stream down her face. She looked at Corentin and said, "But I know everything now. I don't have evidence, but you are Salvatore Yeager. At first, I thought you would change for the sake of the child. In the end… In the end, you didn't even spare the child's grandparents. Salvatore, are you even human? Why would a monster like you exist?""Ash, come down, a
After Ashlynn was discharged from the hospital, she called Anne when she was alone in the room."Anne, are you alright? I heard you were taken by Tommy and were later saved by Anthony.""Mmhmm. I'm fine. I've gotten home safely.""That's wonderful," said Ashlynn.Anne could tell that Ashlynn was not feeling alright, so she asked, "What's the matter? Are you not in a good mood?""I've found out about my parent's passing," said Ashlynn.Anne was stunned. She found out? "I'm sorry, Ashlynn. I've kept it hidden from you.""It's fine. I know you're being considerate to me and the child." Ashlynn took a pause before asking again, "Was Tommy killed by you guys?""No. He fled the cruise ship back then. When we found him, he was already killed by somebody. His body was pulled up from the sea.""Corentin was there as well, wasn't he?""That's right. Did he tell you that?"Ashlynn's eyes looked emotionless. "Have you guys ever suspected Corentin?"Anne immediately got so nervous tha
Corentin hugged Ashlynn. "I heard that Tommy's dead, so your parents' murders have been avenged. Now, they can only rest in peace. Calm down."Ashlynn collapsed in his arms as she cried. Then, she started to feel waves of throbbing pain in her belly, and her face turned pale.Corentin noticed something was not right with her, so he hurriedly roared at the driver, "Go to the hospital now!""Hurry up!" Jeremy urged. He held Ashlynn's hand and realized that it was freezing. "Ashlynn, you have to be alright. You still have me! Hang in there, Ashlynn!"Ashlynn looked at him with tears in her eyes. She was extremely saddened. She could not understand why things would end up like that. Did she not deserve to have parents?When Ashlynn woke up, she was already at the hospital.She subconsciously touched her belly, but Corentin grabbed her hand. "You're showing signs of miscarriage, so you need to recuperate."Ashlynn scanned around the room and asked, "Where's Jeremy?""He's outside. H
"I know…" Jeremy looked up and saw Ashlynn standing at the entrance. He was so shocked, and he immediately stood up. "Why…are you here?"Ashlynn stood there dazed. She looked at Jeremy, then the person who spoke earlier. "What do you guys mean when you talk about my parents' soul resting in peace?""Nothing. We were talking about someone else."Ashlynn could tell from their faces that they were clearly panicking. She was not deaf. She heard what they said clearly.Her face turned pale, and she immediately searched for her phone. She did not have it on her, so she rushed to the car."Ashlynn!" Jeremy ran after her and stopped her. "What are you doing?""I'm going to call Mom and Dad.""They are traveling. Don't disturb them."Ashlynn looked at him. "Jeremy, tell me honestly, why aren't Mom and Dad coming home? Don't lie! I have always felt it was strange. Why haven't they come home when I'm already so far along? Something is wrong, isn't it? Did something…really happen to them?"
Corentin came forward and asked, "Anne, are you alright?"Anne nodded."You don't look too well. What happened?""Tommy's dead," said Anthony."Have you found the cure?" asked Corentin.Anne shook her head."Unfortunately, the infected people would have to endure it a little longer."Anne suddenly thought of something, and she immediately pushed Anthony away. "Don't touch me."Only then, Corentin noticed a small patch of ulcer below Anne's cheek. "Anne, did Tommy drug you?"Anthony frowned. "I don't mind.""I do. Both of us would not be able to have contact with the children, and they will worry." Anne rejected his touch.Anthony had been touching her the whole time. It was unclear if he had been infected. Anne was very worried."It wouldn't make a difference now. If anything, I would have already been infected just now," said Anthony.Anne still refused to listen. "That's not necessary. Just don't touch me. We still don't know where the cure is, and Tommy died so suddenly
Just as Tommy finished his sentence, he heard a commotion behind him.Ivan was fighting with the assassin, and every strike he delivered was fatal. If Ivan were not skilled in combat, the professional assassin could have killed him in just a few moves.Tommy realized something was up, so he immediately wanted to grab Anne.While Anne retreated, she was pulled into a person's arms."Let me go!" She thought it was a man she did not know, so she hated to be touched like that."Anne."Anne was stunned. She looked up and felt happy to see a familiar face. "Anthony?""It's me."Tommy was infuriated as he watched the two of them looking lovingly at each other, Tommy became infuriated."As expected, Anne, you did leave a trace for Anthony." Tommy's expression darkened."You're the one who took me too lightly," said Anne.It was because she had always wanted to run away from Anthony in the past that he had the wrong impression, was it not? "So what? You want to kill me? With just t
Anne was drugged at that moment, and there were surveillance cameras all over the cruise ship. She saw a surveillance camera over her head when she was returning to the room. Therefore, it was impossible for her to sneak around in the middle of the night if she wanted to.Tommy had long been guarding against her.However, Anne still left Anthony some clues before she left him. She believed Anthony would find her very soon, but she never expected that he would do it so quickly.At daybreak, she seemed to have heard the rumbling of a helicopter above her. Then, the door swung open. Before Anne could make sense of the situation, she was picked up. "How did you get the message out?" Tommy said. He even searched Anne's body after that."Ah! Are you crazy? I don't have a phone!""Don't think Anthony can take you away just because he's here. If I'm going to hell, I'm dragging you along with me! Let's go!""You…" Anne had no strength, so she was dragged out of the room by him.He thre
Anne ignored him.If she were not afraid that Tommy would pull some tricks behind her back, she would have slept with her back facing him."Do you remember running to my home and sleeping on my bed when Anthony bullied you as a child?"I don't.""I know you do. I truly wanted to help you back then," said Tommy.Anne knew he was speaking the truth, so she did not refute him. She stared at the ceiling and said, "I think the past Tommy died a long time ago."Tommy's expression was mixed, and he asked, "Are we not able to go back anymore?""Instead of asking me this now, you should've gone to hell after you killed the people I cared about. No matter how unhappy your childhood was, you can't hurt others for your own pleasure." At that moment, Anne did not pity Tommy at all."Look at you on your high horse. Has Anthony not killed anybody before? Has Corentin not killed anybody before? Why did you forgive them for killing people but not me? Just because the victims were your friends?
Seeing that she did not move at all, Tommy said, "It won't be good for you if you don't eat."Anne thought that he made sense. If she did not eat, she would go hungry and would have no strength later. How could she fight with Tommy then? It was because she refused to eat and only drank water while hiding in her room that Tommy drugged her.After a while, she seemed to have figured it out.She picked up the fork and started eating the fish.Tommy saw her eating and asked, "How was it?""Could it be that you're the one who made it?" Anne looked up and shot a glance at him lazily."That's correct. I am the one who made it."Anne thought, 'Is this something worthy to be praised?'"It must be tough for you to do such a thing on top of everything else.""If you're worried that it's tough for me, why don't you make it with me?""I don't know how to cook.""How great. You just have to enjoy being served." Tommy clicked his tongue, but he was looking at Anne with a doting gaze.Anne