It was obvious that Corentin was the issue.Corentin sat down on the couch, ignoring Beth and Marshall, while Ashlynn sat down next to him with her back straightened.Meredith glared daggers at Ashlynn."What's so important that I need to come over right away?"Beth was amazed by just how arrogant Corentin was. He had shown no manners and was the complete opposite of the gentleman-like demeanor he showed on the outside.One should never judge a book by its cover and after being in close proximity with Corentin, Beth had finally seen his true self and decided that a man like him did not deserve to be with her daughter; even though her daughter grew up in the slum, she was a high-born by blood.Cory glanced at Ashlynn sternly. "Did you injure someone from the Hilton Family?"Before Ashlynn could respond, Corentin sneered darkly. "I heard about what happened. That's just a servant, so why are you all making a fuss over this? Ashlynn is my woman and even if she hurts someone in a po
Desperate to convince them, Corentin pulled Ashlynn closer by the waist and said, "Tell them. Are we married?"Ashlynn could not utter a word at what a sudden turn the situation had taken, but then she remembered about the videos of her that Corentin possessed."Yes. I'm Corentin's wife now," she said.Cory’s head dropped onto his hand as he struggled to breath. The Lloyd Family and the Hilton Family were supposed to be joined by marriage and with what Corentin had done, he had humiliated the Hilton Family."Divorce! You two are getting a divorce!" Cory said, "Corentin, you are only allowed to marry Meredith! Meredith is the only Mrs. Lloyd that I can accept. Don't even think about making this slum-raised woman into my household! I'd rather give up on having an heir!"It was a severe threat, but Ashlynn did not know if it was merely said to appease the Hiltons' anger. After all, Corentin was the only son left of Cory."Are you sure?" Corentin tilted his head to the side and looke
Ashlynn knew that this was the only way to stop Corentin and when she turned her face, she met Corentin's dark, vicious eyes.He stood in rage, but had somehow managed to contain his temper.The family doctor arrived shortly after to check on Ashlynn, before helping her up from the ground slowly. The doctor pressed on her back gently and Ashlynn gasped, trembling."It's a good thing that her bones didn't take the damage. If she was hit on the spine, she might have to spend the rest of her life on a bed," the doctor said.Corentin had struck with all his might, aiming to cause as much damage as possible.Both worried and furious, Beth stared at Corentin with resentment and was determined to make him pay for it."The soft tissue took some damage, though, so she needs to be on bedrest for a while," the doctor continued.Beth decisively said to Marshall, "Take Ashlynn home."Marshall was thinking the same and went over to lift Ashlynn up.Sensing that Corentin was approaching, Bet
Beth sat by the bed, while Marshall stood next to her.Jeremy hurried back and saw Ashlynn lying in bed. "Did Corentin hit you? I'm sorry. I shouldn't have provoked him."Beth turned to stare at him. "What did you do?"Jeremy looked away.Marshall scowled. "Your mom is asking you a question.""I kissed Ashlynn on the forehead in front of Corentin on purpose," Jeremy confessed."Corentin is far too arrogant and I understand the urge to challenge him, but you should not have gotten Ashlynn involved. What were you thinking?" Beth said mercilessly."I won't do it again..." Jeremy said sheepishly. "What did Corentin do, though? Are you hurt?"Marshall explained what happened earlier and Jeremy blurted out, "Mom, that didn't happen because of me! It was you!""Shut it!" Marshall roared, silencing Jeremy effectively.Beth turned to look at Ashlynn worriedly. "You shouldn't have gotten in the middle of that. What am I supposed to do if you took damage to the bones? Can you tell me wh
It was easy to get married, but much harder to get a divorce.After leaving the room, Beth had finally calmed down and asked Marshall, "Was...was I being too hysterical? Will Little Crescent suspect us?""She is our daughter and it's normal for us to be worried. Besides, we will have to tell her the truth sooner or later. We can't just keep her in the dark forever."Beth was nervous. "If she finds out that we are her actual parents, will she resent us? Especially after all the things I did to her. Marshall, I'm just so...so scared...I've never been scared of anything in my life but this...""We didn't know. She will understand. She is willing to stay here with us, which means she doesn't resent us."She thought about it and said, "Also, tell Meredith not to come here so often. I don't want Little Crescent to be upset. We owe her far too much and I can't even imagine how she survived the slum...""Sure."Corentin had not called ever since Ashlynn went to the Hiltons, but she felt
"Why are you so kind to me?" Ashlynn asked, emotions overwhelming her."Because we have adopted you, so we-""Are you still going to lie to me?" Ashlynn interrupted her, panting as pain pierced through her chest. "Back when I was little, my adopted parents took a family photo with me and though I was a little older than this little girl in the photos, I can still tell that I looked exactly like her!"Knowing that she could not deceive Ashlynn any longer, Beth closed her eyes sorrowfully and opened them again, tears of regret filling her eyes. "I'm sorry, my Little Crescent. It's my fault that you went missing..."Ashlynn had thought that she might have been mistaken as children could look alike at a young age, but when Beth admitted to it, tears scrolled down Ashlynn's eyes."How did you find out?""Your brother Jeremy found the crescent birthmark on your back and did a paternity test..." Beth looked at her."So, all of you knew and I was the only one in the dark?""Only your d
"We've already done a paternity test."Aunt Cher's suspicion was instantly denied and instead of feeling glad for them, she was furious and worried, she was worried for Meredith and furious that the woman they despised became the long-lost heiress to the Hilton Family.It was a hard pill to swallow.Ashlynn caught a taxi to a random street and wandered around until it started raining, so she went to sit down at a bus stop and stared outside dazedly, occupied with thoughts.She had always known that she was adopted.Every time her adoptive parents would get mad at her or beat her, though she could somehow manage them with certain tricks, she would still think of her biological parents when she was alone.She would picture their appearances, their personalities and background. She had thought that her real family was in deeper poverty than the ones in the slum, or they would not have abandoned her.Some people even told her that she might have been abandoned because she was a girl
"Ah!" Ashlynn was thrown into the car and Corentin's towering height blocked the lights from the bus station.Once his subordinate took the umbrella away, he went inside and closed the door. Before long, the car drove into the rain.Raindrops fell onto the car windows, shattering when they hit the glass, transforming into streams of water that resembled tears."You think that you can challenge me now that you have the Hiltons to back you up?" Corentin smirked. "You know me, don't you?""What do you want!?" Ashlynn roared furiously.Instead of getting upset, Corentin remained composed as though he had seen right through Ashlynn. Just as Ashlynn was confused as to what he wanted, he reached over to grab her by the wrist and pulled so that she fell onto his lap. He then lifted her top and revealed the crescent shaped birthmark on her back.He narrowed his eyes coldly."What are you doing?" She tried to get up, but Corentin pinned her down.Ignoring her protest, he stared at the bi
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