The affluent young ladies couldn't help but feel consumed by jealousy after discussing Grayson. Their eyes seemed to emit shades of green, and a fiery passion of resentment burned within their hearts.They surrounded Xenia and asked, "Xenia, what's really going on? Didn't you say that Mr. Page doesn't like Ms. Walters?""Mr. Page seems to really like her! He seems to dote on her a lot!"Xenia clenched her fists secretly, and a hint of anger flashed through her eyes. She had underestimated Belle.Belle bought so many things today, but it wasn't for herself. She was trying to win over Grayson's men. She was truly cunning! It was obvious she was doing this to please Grayson.Xenia had completely misunderstood Belle's intentions. Xenia was extremely furious but tried to hide it by calmly saying, "Feelings can be nurtured. Belle has been with Grayson for half a year now. It's normal that they develop feelings for each other. You all must be tired from shopping all day. Let's go. I'
Dorothy replied, "You're right. You can come over when you're free.""Alright. How's the patient's current condition?""Stable for now. He's still in the intensive care unit. It's already late. Have a good rest, and come when you're free.""Okay, I'll be there tomorrow morning."Belle kept her phone. The car had already stopped. They were home.Turning to look at Grayson, she wanted to talk to him about Xenia. But he got out of the car. All she could see was his cold silhouette.He seemed distant and unwilling to speak to her.Belle frowned. She glared at him and got out of the car.The maids came to help bring in the things she bought. Belle gave them a gift each. These were quite pricey.The maids were delighted. "Thank you, Ms. Walters!""You're welcome. I've been troubling you a lot for the past few months," said Belle with a smile. Then, she walked toward the house with a gentle expression.Scampering out joyfully, Sixteen dashed to her. It wagged its tail and stood on
However, Grayson grew sullen immediately after. He and Belle were in a marriage by agreement. Belle had fallen for him, but he didn't love her back. What should he do?What could he do if she refused to divorce when their contract ended?Grayson was worried as he thought about the future.Seeing that he fell silent, Belle said, "I have spent a lot with your card today. Now, we're even. If you dare take advantage of me again, I won't let it slide easily!"Belle turned to leave after she finished speaking. Grayson called out, "Wait!"Belle halted and turned around. "What?""Where's my gift?""What?""Stop acting. I'm talking to you about the gift you're giving me."Belle was dumbfounded.Grayson's face darkened. "Belle Walters, I'm giving you only one chance. If you don't give it to me now, I won't accept it if you give it to me later!"Belle's eyes widened. "Who says I'm giving you a present?"Grayson asked, "What do you mean?"Belle retorted, "No, what do you mean?"Grays
Meredith had already prepared breakfast. She quickly served the food when she saw Belle coming down the stairs.She purposedly placed a bowl of oatmeal with toppings right before Belle.Belle was puzzled. "What is this?"Meredith smiled. "A nutritious bowl of oatmeal. Mr. Page instructed me to prepare this for you. I've added some granola and fruits. There is a variety of nuts in it, too. They are packed full of nutrients. Try it."Meredith prepared this for her on Grayson's orders?Belle couldn't understand. "Why did you prepare this for me?"Meredith said gently, "Mr. Page says you seem to have lost some weight recently. You don't look as radiant as before, too. You should take more nutritious food."Belle didn't know what to say.She didn't believe Grayson would be concerned about her. He must be putting up a show for Xenia, right?Belle pursed her lips. Without further ado, she tasted the food. It was delicious."Is it nice?" asked Meredith."Yes, it is!"Meredith grinn
Belle noticed that. She retorted impassively, "Well, you should. If you fainted out of hunger in my house, what should I tell your fiancé?"Xenia's face changed at the word "fiancé." Avoiding the topic, she smiled as though she heard nothing. She said, "I'm not that weak. I won't faint from hunger. I'm also used to skipping breakfast.""Oh. Since you're used to it, you might as well not have any. You'll get sick easily if you force stop a habit. Meredith, take away Ms. Sanchez's food. She says she's used to skipping breakfast."Xenia and Meredith were both stunned. They didn't expect Belle to be so straightforward.Xenia's lips twitched. Smiling, she added, "Having some food is surely better. I should probably eat some since Grayson says I should."Belle secretly rolled her eyes. She ignored Xenia and focused on her breakfast.She thought Xenia was far less likable than June.After all, June was single. It was acceptable if she was interested in Grayson. But Xenia had a fiancé.
Grayson returned from a run before Belle finished eating.He was wearing black sportswear and black running shoes. At that moment, he was dripping with sweat.Grayson had a rugged look and was exuding a sense of masculinity. At the sight of that, Xenia hurriedly got up and approached him. "Grayson, you're back! You must have run a lot. Look at you, all sweaty."She continued, "Quick, wipe yourself. Otherwise, you'll catch a cold."Xenia took a white towel and handed it to Grayson as she spoke. She acted like she was the lady of the house. On the other hand, Belle sat at the dining table without moving. When she saw what Xenia did, she pouted and continued eating. Belle was annoyed at both Xenia and Grayson at the moment. Xenia wouldn't be there if it were not for Grayson. He had invited her over. Even though he did not like Xenia, he was still to blame. Grayson sensed that Belle was not in a good mood. He glanced at her and did not take the towel from Xenia. Instead,
In an instant, Grayson felt an inexplicable sense of ease. He did not reach out to take the glass from Belle. Instead, he took a sip as she held it. Belle was momentarily stunned. She frowned and thought Grayson was shameless. After all, she was only acting in front of Xenia. How could he actually drink from her hand? Belle was annoyed by his actions. She pouted, handed the glass to Grayson, and said, "Finish this glass of water first. I'll go upstairs and run the bath for you."She added, "Be quick! I'll be waiting!"After hinting at him, she turned and headed upstairs to wait for Grayson. She needed to talk to him.Looking at Belle's departing figure, Xenia frowned. Then she turned to Grayson and smiled. "Belle looks like a gentle person. Who would have thought she had a fiery temper? She was fierce to me and had the guts to throw a tantrum at you, too."Xenia continued, "Does she know who you are? How could she do that to you? I … "Grayson interrupted her before she could
Grayson was rendered speechless by Belle's reaction.He wondered if her intense reaction was because she was furious. After all, he had exposed her. Would she start yelling in the next second?Just as Grayson expected, Belle indeed started yelling. "I don't like you, and I've never wished for you to like me! Are you out of your mind, Grayson?" He knew he had guessed it right. She was indeed mad because he had exposed her hidden motive.Meanwhile, Belle had no idea what was going through Grayson's mind. He was driving her crazy. Why was he acting like a madman all the time?He had been saying she was trying to seduce him some time ago. He thought she was seducing him when she accidentally left her foot out of the blanket at night. Grayson assumed it was seduction even when Belle glared at him. And at that moment, he had claimed that she liked him. Belle could not help but wonder if she had done or said anything that led to this misunderstanding. She was certain she did
Belle playfully reached for Sixteen again. "Come here!"Sixteen barked back, seemingly firm in his stance. "I'll cry if you don't come here, okay?" Belle then held her face in her hands and pretended to cry.Sixteen immediately calmed down as it nudged Belle's hands with its paws, trying to comfort her. Belle broke character, revealing a grin. "Are you still mad at me?"Sixteen, appeased, finally got into her arms and launched into enthusiastic licks.Grayson watched the exchange with a hint of envy. "Hey, Sixteen!"Sixteen whimpered and offered Grayson a sheepish look.Belle scolded, "Why are you scolding Sixteen? You're a bad guy!"She then petted Sixteen on its head and stood up. "Let's go! We'll get something tasty to eat! Just ignore him, okay?"Grayson was left speechless. He felt defeated by the pet dog as he watched Belle and Sixteen skip and hop into the house.Meredith had already finished preparing dinner when they arrived. She put on a gentle smile as she watched Belle
After returning to the house, Ava asked, "Why did Xenia go crazy? Wasn't she fine not long ago?"Lena wiped her hands and handed the towel back to Ava. "Someone drugged her and induced hallucinations of her worst fears. She's been on the edge ever since. After all, she did commit all sorts of misdeeds." "Someone?""Belle Walters."Ava was shocked. "Why would Belle drug Xenia?"Ava and Lena had been moving from place to place, seeking a safe hideout ever since they picked up Xenia. They had only found a relatively safe place today, so Ava finally had the chance to inquire about the details.Lena shot her a look of disgust and proceeded to ignore her question.Ava dared not press further and changed the topic. "Now that Xenia's lost her mind, can we still get her to talk?"Lena continued to ignore her and went to scribble down a prescription. She had spent the entire day with Xenia in the basement but hadn't managed to extract any useful information from her. Ava sheepishly c
Meanwhile, Ginger, too, was grappling with confusion. She'd also offered Hunter money, only to be stunned into silence by the astronomical sum in his bank statement. Compared to him, she was practically penniless. The largest amount she'd ever held was a few million Gabriel had won in the lottery—a drop in the bucket compared to Hunter's wealth."Why do you think Mr. Sanders was so wealthy?" Ginger queried, seeking Gabriel's insight.Gabriel was similarly grappling with confusion and remained quiet. However, he was preoccupied with a different mystery. His mind was consumed by the deaths of Penny and Terry. He had taken time to visit the corpses and noted the peculiarity surrounding their deaths. Their autopsies revealed unusual injuries that baffled forensics.Both victims, young adults in their prime, looked as if they'd been scared to death.Aware of Hunter's ties to the Nightwalkers, Gabriel wasn't surprised by the inheritance. Compared to the wealth amassed during the Sanders f
Belle pondered aloud, "While Hunter isn't as averse to exploring tombs as Benjamin, they share a similar disposition. Otherwise, with his expertise, he could easily be making a fortune.""The Sanders ancestors might not have been saints," Grayson conceded, "but perhaps Hunter's grandfather started a positive trend. Like Benjamin, he likely tried to shield Hunter from their legacy. A truly evil man couldn't have raised such a kind son."As Benjamin grew, he remained kind-hearted despite his timidity. And now, Hunter has grown into an upright, kind, and courageous young man. His talent for exploration makes him the pride of his lineage."Belle nodded and sighed. "Money is crucial for a comfortable life today. With what Hunter has, financial worries shouldn't trouble him. He'll be well provided for."Grayson pulled her into his arms and responded, "Don't fret. While Hunter may still be in school, he's mature for his age. He can take care of himself just fine."Belle leaned onto his s
Hunter crouched by the bed, methodically clearing away the books until a single floor tile lay exposed. Prying it open revealed a dark hole just big enough for one person. Grabbing a flashlight, he squeezed through the narrow opening and emerged into a moderately sized room of perhaps about 130 square feet. Wooden boxes, weathered with age and adorned with simple designs, filled the space.Hunter made a beeline for a particular box, brushing off the dust before prying it open. The wooden box was filled to the brim with notebooks. Hunter sat down on the floor, picked up one of the books, and started reading it.This hidden chamber and its contents were discovered by a young Hunter, seemingly guided by destiny. Hunter's father, Benjamin, had buried them, driven by a desire to safeguard their knowledge from Hunter's curious gaze. Fear had gripped Benjamin after learning about the Sanders family's history, the expertise that had seemingly drawn them toward a dangerous path. He
Nora let out a long sigh. "It's fine. Just keep it with you! I don't really need the money right away or anything. Besides, an old woman like me won't be spending much in town even if I tried."Hunter stopped Nora as she was about to leave and took a wad of money from his bag. "I have 20,000 dollars right here. It's far from the actual price, but you can keep it for now. I'll pay you the rest when I can."Nora was stunned. "Where did you get so much money?""It's the money I gathered from donations for the funeral, mostly from Ms. Belle and Mr. Grayson.""Oh, that makes sense. Here I was, wondering how you managed to get such a huge amount from donations. I can tell your friends are really kind-hearted people. You should treat them just as well as they treat you, okay? Study hard and make a name for yourself, and then you'll be able to properly repay their kindness.""Yeah, I know. Anyway, the gold nugget weighs slightly over 17 ounces. So, its worth is about 37,500 dollars. I'll pay y
As the final step of the funeral, the townsfolk gathered for a meal after Benjamin's burial. After Benjamin was buried, Belle and Ginger approached Hunter, inquiring about his plans for the future. Belle expressed her desire for Hunter to stay with her and Grayson, mentioning that their house had plenty of spare rooms. The only drawback would be that it was quite the distance from his school, but they could always arrange a driver for him.Ginger also invited Hunter to stay with her and Gabriel as their house had just finished with renovations. They also had a spare room for Hunter if he were to join their house.Hunter was genuinely touched by their offers, but he still declined them both. "I'd like to stay in my school's hostel for now. I'll think about what to do next when I graduate."Belle and Ginger recognized that they couldn't sway Hunter's decision, so they ceased their attempts to pressure him into making a choice."If you run out of space for your belongings, you ca
Hunter detailed, "I recall every person who came to offer prayers for my father... However, it was during my trip to the restroom that the dogs began barking. Upon my return, I spotted some unfamiliar footprints. Without seeing anyone there, I dismissed it. But upon hearing about Penny and Terry's deaths this morning, I began to connect the dots..."Both Gabriel and Grayson were left speechless.Gabriel exchanged a glance with Grayson before turning back to Hunter. "So, you're suggesting that the stranger who came to town also visited your house to pray for your father before departing to exact revenge on Penny and Terry for Mr. Sanders' death?""Yes.""Why didn't he meet you then?""I don't know.""Any other suspects you have in mind?"Hunter shook his head. "My father and I don't have friends other than you guys. It's just the two of us for as long as I can remember.""Could it be someone else from the Sanders family?" asked Gabriel."I don't think so. I'm an only child, and
Belle, Ginger, and the rest of the group arrived at 8:00 am. They noticed the crowd alongside police cars at the entrance to the town. The two of them then squeezed through the crowd to make it to the house as soon as they could. "What happened, Hunter?"The policemen were stunned by their sudden arrival. "Who are you?""We're Hunter's friends. You can tell us about what happened."Hunter's eyes gleamed with hope as he greeted them. "Ms. Belle and Ms. Ginger!"Grayson's car stopped in front of the town alongside a truck filled with equipment for the funeral.Without Belle and Grayson's friendship, Hunter would have had to manage all the funeral arrangements alone, and he wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet Ginger.Sam remained outside to stand guard while Grayson and Gabriel entered the Sanders family's old home.The townsfolk and the police were shocked when they saw them.They didn't recognize Grayson or Gabriel, but they could tell at a glance that they were really special peo