Shortly after, Corentin entered the room. "Old Mr. Hilton."Old Mr. Hilton struggled to look at him. "Treat Crescent with care, or I will haunt you after my death...""Don't worry. I won't let anyone bully her, including me," Corentin said sincerely.Had they been at a different place, Ashlynn would have slapped him across the face, because he was precisely the person who bullied her most in the entire world."Good..." Old Mr. Hilton panted.Seeing how much pain he was in, Ashlynn gazed down at his hand and reached to grab him by a finger.Past memories of Ashlynn's one-year-old grab ceremony overlapped with the present. Old Mr. Hilton stared at her blankly, before slowly closing his eyes."Grandpa?" Ashlynn's heart skipped a beat."Dad?""Dad!"Beth, Ashlynn, Marshall and his brother called out to old Mr. Hilton, but he did not open his eyes again and had stopped breathing.Apart from family members, certain important guests were invited to the funeral as well.Sorrow had
Within a blink of an eye, Ashlynn was dragged out of Beth's hold. Beth's expression instantly darkened. "Corentin, who do you think we are? Have you no respect for others at all? This is how the Lloyds raise you?"Corentin did not respond and simply dragged Ashlynn away forcefully."Why you-" Beth wanted to run after them, but Marshall stopped her. Furious, she said, "Why are you holding me back? You should have gone and taken Crescent back.""Crescent is Corentin's wife now. Even if we are her biological parents, we can't take her away by force. We've had conflicts in the past, but it's best that we all get along. We need Corentin to treat Crescent well!"Beth was still upset that Corentin clearly had respect for her.Ashlynn was taken into a room and she immediately questioned sharply, "Why would you act that way around her? She's my mom, not my adoptive parents! Don't even think about hurting them!""What exactly did I do?" He asked."You were just...rude."He pulled her dow
Ashlynn studied the dark expression on Corentin's face and wondered if he was indeed the one who did it. What little hope she had was demolished the next instant when Corentin asked, "Is there a problem?"Eddie's expression darkened. "Are you trying to kill her? Are you sure that the Lloyds can bear the responsibility for this? Why is this man allowed in here to begin with? The Lloyds and the Hiltons are going to war over t-""Brother!" Marshall stopped him from continuing. Declaring war against the Lloyds would not benefit anyone.Corentin did not seem bothered at all by the tension in the air. "You all heard what I promised old Mr. Hilton during his final moments, right?"Ashlynn did not even need to struggle to remember, as Corentin had only said a few words in the room, he said, "Don't worry. I won't let anyone bully her, including me."Yet Meredith had slapped her across the face shortly after that."If I break my promise, I wonder if old Mr. Hilton could truly rest in peace
Not to mention the part where Ashlynn was entitled to ten percent of the company's earnings each year, considering how tremendous the amount would be.Meredith could not bear it any longer. "What do you mean? Ashlynn is going to get all that money by just doing nothing? Did Grandpa mention any condition to this?""No," Mr. Cooper said with confidence."I don't believe you!" Meredith darted up and grabbed the paperwork in his hands. When she noticed that there were indeed no conditions mentioned, she tossed them onto the floor. "Who is she to get that? Why?! Just because the Hiltons owe her? She is doing just fine! She's married to Corentin Lloyd, and she will never have to worry about money again! She's married and is no longer a Hilton, so what was Grandpa thinking? You get to have everything, while my dad and I get nothing?" She broke down in tears out of devastation.Disappointed, Eddie sighed heavily.Beth and Marshall shot one another a look."Meredith, don't get upset. I wi
Her back was filled with burnt wounds.Ashlynn's heart sank, a sharp pain piercing through her as though she was the one who was wounded.She moved closer without making a sound and reached for the ointment resting next to the bed, before starting to apply it onto the wound as gently as possible.She knew what caused the wounds.It was when Corentin kicked Beth onto the coffee table where hot tea was served at the time.She had thought that Beth was fine, and had not expected for her injury to be so severe.Ashlynn resented Corentin, but feared him at the same time.The trauma of him murdering her parents remained and he would not have hesitated or shown mercy simply because Beth was her biological mother.Beth had thought that Marshall had returned. "Are you done with the phone call? Who was it?"There was no response."I shouldn't have asked. I won't do that again," Beth muttered.Ashlynn could sense that something was wrong. She was impressed by how caring Marshall and Be
Marshall patted her head with tears in his eyes and responded in a hoarse voice, "I'm here."Ashlynn was happy.This is what it felt to have a home and it was the first time ever she experienced true happiness. She was determined to fight to preserve her happiness.Ashlynn stayed the night with the Hiltons, and left the next day after lunch."Just divorce Corentin! Don't you think he is too controlling to just let you stay here for a night?" Jeremy said.Beth took Ashlynn's hands. "Do you really love him? Why didn't you tell anyone that you were married? I asked Cory about it and he said that you are in love, but I'm having a hard time believing that."Ashlynn could tell from Beth's sharp eyes that Beth had been suspicious the entire time."Tell your mother the truth. There's nothing to worry about," Marshall encouraged.Ashlynn knew that her parents could not help even if they learnt the truth. After all, Corentin did not respond well to threats or figures of power; he had no
Jeremy paused. "You are going to pick him up from work? I didn't know that you two cared so much about each other.""It's not as bad as you think," she said."Seriously, though, you have a family to back you up now. You can do whatever you want," Jeremy said."I know, so don't worry about someone bullying me," she reassured him and turned to study Jeremy's face.He had perfectly carved features like Beth, but did not appear overly feminine."If you look at me like that, I'm going to get the wrong idea." Jeremy kept his eyes trained on the road.Ashlynn chuckled. "I never thought that I would have a brother as handsome as you.""You have the looks, so why wouldn't your brother?"She giggled. "So we are complimenting each other now?""I'm just telling the truth."Corentin was in a meeting with the other managers in the most authoritative manner, and no one would have suspected that a monster lurked within his mighty appearance.Half an hour later, the meeting ended and someone
He walked down the stairs and got on.The electric bike was small to begin with and looked even smaller after Corentin got onto it.Ashlynn handed him a helmet that was his size.Once the two had their helmets on, she started the electric bike and drove away with the Bently following closely behind.The bike marched forward on the bike lane and wind blew through their faces. The scent of sunlight and dust reminded them of the time when they were in the slum.Slightly moved, Corentin wrapped his arms around Ashlynn's slim waist and propped his chin onto her shoulder. "Thinking about the past?""You are probably sick of going around in cars as well, right? Isn't it good to relive the past every once in a while?" She said, "If you are the one driving the bike, others would probably think you are weird, but if I'm driving..."He interrupted her and said, "I'm still on it, so I'm still weird."She pursed her lips and slowed down on purpose. "Your car is right behind us. If you don't
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