Nydia's death left Hiram sighing deeply. It was especially shocking that they were brought down by a young woman.
When Odgen arrived, Hiram welcomed him courteously. However, he seemed to anticipate their purpose and thus called Solomon back.
The transaction proceeded smoothly. The two families had always been on good terms, and Hiram was genuinely sorrowful over Nydia's death.
He instructed his grandson not to take undue advantage. However, the Arliss family wasn't running a charity; after negotiation, they accepted 6% of the shares, neither more nor less.
This way, the bond between the families remained intact, and new cooperation was established, making the arrangement beneficial for both sides.
After the deal was sealed, Thera returned and, seeing Lambert at her home, couldn't hide her displeasure. She hadn't forgotten that Lydia was still in the hospital.
Thera walked straight up to Lambert. "Can we talk?"
Before Lambert could re
"No!" Miles rebutted, "We're just tired of Odelia. I believe Newman will understand. Besides, we've been brothers for years. I don't believe he would abandon us for a woman."The youth tried to argue further, but Silvester pulled his sleeve, making him fall silent.The atmosphere grew tense. Miles sighed, "I know it's been tough lately, but our gang has just been formed. Any internal changes now could be detrimental.""If we don't make changes, the gang won't be ours anymore. What's the point? You guys might be okay with following a woman, but I'm not!"The youth with the arm injury, Baldwin, stubbornly persisted."Baldwin!" Miles gave him a warning look.Baldwin clenched his teeth, filled with resentment. After some brief first aid, they followed Miles back to their secret base.Their base was an underground bar, doubling as a casino, inaccessible to outsiders without an introduction.Odelia and Newman were there at the moment
“Yes, Newman, we are not convinced! This woman is clearly weakening our power!”“Newman, even if we did something wrong, it doesn't warrant a death sentence, does it?”Several people cried out indignantly, causing Newman a headache. He was most annoyed by these matters.To be honest, if it weren't for Odelia's help, he wouldn't have gotten to his current position at all.A lot of the gang's affairs were handled by Odelia.Thinking of this, Newman waved his hand decisively, "Odelia, since you started this, why don't you handle it? But I have one request: spare their lives. They were once my brothers in life and death."Odelia glanced at the group with a half-smile, "Don't worry, Newman. I'll take good care of them.""Alright, I'll leave this to you then. I'm going downstairs to have some fun!"As Newman spoke, he pushed the door open and left. Odelia's smile then turned cold."You really have some guts, huh? Daring to get Newman to throw me off in front of me? Now tell me, how should I
She wanted to see how much this so-called true love would be worth when Lydia was ruined and reviled by everyone. The thought of that scene excited Odelia immensely.Two days later, a well-known website posted several photos with a bold red headline followed by exclamation marks:“The Truth Behind Mrs. Halsey’s Murder Revealed! The Culprit Is Her!!!”In the photos, Lydia was holding a gun, pointing it at Nydia, who looked terrified and disheveled.The pictures only showed Lydia, while Odelia, who should have been standing behind her, was nowhere to be seen.The photos caused an uproar on the internet, with major websites quickly reposting this explosive news.Nydia's death had already become widely known among high society and the general public, especially after Ogden and his son solemnly left the hospital.However, the Halsey family had remained silent about the cause of Nydia's death.The Halsey family's unusual silence had already sparked much speculation.Given Mrs. Halsey's stat
Lydia was bewildered, though she noticed that those surrounding her seemed to be reporters."Miss Lydia, what is your opinion on Nydia's murder?""Lydia, is it true? Did you really kill your lover's mother? Is that why you didn't appear with your lover?""Lydia, what exactly happened with Nydia's death? Why did you shoot her?""Lydia..."Questions about Nydia's death bombarded Lydia's ears. Her face turned pale, and she had no idea how to respond.Seeing this, Andrew quickly pulled her behind him. "Sorry, everyone, but Lydia is recovering from a serious illness. Please save your questions for later.""Who are you, sir? What is your relationship with Lydia?""Could it be that you are Lydia's lover? Is Nydia's death related to you?" A reporter speculated.This question was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up wild thoughts. Yes, if Lydia truly loved Lambert, how could she kill his mother? Maybe she had an affair, and Nydia discovered it, so she silenced her.With this thoug
Lydia was so angry that her chest hurt.Thera and Andrew kept trying to comfort her.At the same time, some influencers began to smear Lydia's reputation, saying she was overly ambitious, aiming to marry into a wealthy family but was exposed by Nydia.Others accused her of having a chaotic personal life, alleging numerous secret relationships, and some even claimed her designer title was acquired through plagiarism and bribery.Suddenly, Lydia's name became a byword for scorn and hatred, with almost everyone despising her, creating a "kick someone when they're down" atmosphere.Lydia found the situation headache-inducing.She didn't care too much about the rumors themselves, as people would always talk, but the negative publicity was starting to seriously affect her life.Thera wanted to use the Arliss family's influence to help Lydia, but Lydia refused.Firstly, she felt that involving the Arliss family would only worsen the rumors.Secondly, she already felt indebted to them and did
Wythe nodded in agreement with his mother's advice.Allowing others to continue spreading rumors unchecked was too infuriating for him.That night, he decided to take matters into his own hands.Using his familiar methods, he launched attacks that crippled every website circulating negative videos about Lydia.Only when the screens were clear of any negative coverage did Wythe finally find some peace of mind."Wythe, dinner's ready!" Lydia called out, pulling him from his room. It was then that Wythe noticed someone else besides them—Andrew, arranging the table and chairs."Wythe, feeling better now? How about we go out for a bit after dinner?" Andrew asked warmly.Wythe hesitated, feeling a bit strange.But knowing Andrew had been caring for his mother during this time, he suppressed his reservations. "Okay, Uncle."During dinner, Andrew naturally sat next to Lydia, attentively helping her with food and showing equal concern for Wythe sitting across from them.Wythe felt uneasy, focu
Almost everyone seemed to be downcast, like wilting eggplants struck by frost."Prima, come with me!"Having not been around for several days, Lydia was somewhat unclear about the current situation.She immediately called her trusted assistant into the office to get a better understanding.Prima hesitated for a moment, then followed Lydia into the office. After closing the door, Lydia urgently asked, "What's going on, Prima? Did something happen while I was away?""Ma'am, actually, during this period, more designers have been preparing to leave, especially..."Prima paused, seeing Lydia's relatively calm expression, before continuing, "especially after the news about you was exposed online a few days ago."Lydia clenched her fists. "And? Apart from those wanting to leave, is everyone else just not working? They all seem very idle!""That's because there's no work to do now!" Prima muttered discontentedly."What do you mean?""The remaining designers are worried that because of your si
What Lydia didn't know was that after Steven left, he quickly dialed a number. "Chairman!""How did it go?""Rest assured, Chairman, everything is taken care of. The clients I assigned to Lydia are the most difficult ones; they shouldn't be easy to please.""Well done. I'll make sure your year-end bonus is doubled this year!""Thank you for your kindness, Chairman! This is all part of my job." Steven's eyes crinkled with delight as he smiled."And make sure Lambert doesn't find out about this.""Don't worry, Chairman. The boss has been preoccupied with the new development project and won't have time to deal with this."Odgen hung up the phone with satisfaction. Lydia, I've given you a chance. Whether you can seize it depends on your ability! How dare you hope for a successful career after harming Nydia? You're dreaming!At this moment, Lydia was unaware that she had fallen into a trap. No matter how hard she worked, it would all be in vain.Back in her office, Lydia dialed one of the
Since the disastrous end to the previous banquet, Lambert had resigned from his role as the head of Universal Conglomerate. Left with no other choice, Odgen had to step in personally to manage the company. But after so many years away, he found it difficult to command respect from the senior executives, most of whom Lambert had appointed. They weren't openly against Odgen, but their support was lukewarm, lacking the dedication they had shown Lambert.Moreover, Odgen's business acumen and skill in handling people didn't come close to Lambert's, causing a slow drift among the staff. Coupled with the recent financial turbulence affecting a significant portion of the company's assets, Universal Conglomerate was suddenly facing a serious liquidity crisis.Odgen had initially sought Lambert out for help, but he was informed that his son had been absent for over six months, reportedly off chasing his ex-wife. The news only deepened Odgen's frustration. Lambert's ex-wife was Lydia, and despit
Lydia couldn't shake a vague sense of melancholy, especially whenever she saw families of three dining together, strolling hand-in-hand, or playing in the park. Lambert's presence lingered in her mind; his every smile, every expression was etched clearly in her heart.It was only now that Lydia realized just how irreplaceable he had become. Lambert had cared for her meticulously, ensuring she always had a glass of water at just the right temperature or a delicious meal whenever she felt hungry. Whenever she felt tired or sleepy, he was there with his warm, gentle hands, ready to take care of everything.Unknowingly, he had become an inseparable part of her life, like air or clear water—unremarkable but indispensable.Lydia bit her lip, suddenly overcome with a longing to hear Lambert's voice. Almost instinctively, she took out her phone and dialed his number.At that moment, Lambert was in the middle of a meeting with the SA branch team. He had rushed to Nova City and gathered the com
Lydia, half-asleep, leaned into Lambert's embrace, finding a comfortable spot before drifting off completely. All her guardedness and sharpness faded away, leaving her looking as peaceful and innocent as a child. Lambert's gaze softened as he carefully carried her to the bedroom, gently lying down with her still in his arms.Lambert watched Lydia with fascination, his fingers tenderly brushing stray hairs from her forehead. He placed a gentle kiss on her brow, his eyes filled with warmth. The atmosphere in the room was peaceful, and Lambert continued to gaze at her, content just to be by her side, even if she hadn't forgiven him yet.As Lydia was in the late stages of her pregnancy, the baby inside her had become more active, often disturbing her sleep. Yet, lying in Lambert's arms, she felt an inexplicable sense of security. When she stirred uncomfortably in her sleep, Lambert immediately reached over to rub her lower back. Noticing their baby's restlessness, he softly placed his han
Lydia looked at the foot basin, her cheeks reddening slightly. This had become a routine for Lambert, who had read somewhere that foot soaks and massages could ease swelling for pregnant women. So, he made it his mission to prepare a foot bath for her every day at the same time.At first, Lydia was quite resistant, but with Lambert's persistence and Wythe's innocent pleas, she eventually gave in.Now, Lambert was crouched down, without concern for his appearance, gently removing her shoes. Seeing Lydia's noticeably swollen feet filled him with worry. Was this foot bath helping at all? Why was her swelling still so bad?It was Lambert's first time caring for a pregnant woman. He had heard of all the challenges women face during pregnancy, but witnessing it firsthand, especially with someone he loved deeply, stirred a strong, indescribable tenderness within him. He felt an overwhelming desire to protect Lydia from any pain, to the point of wishing he could bear it all himself.Lambert c
The next morning, when Wythe woke up, he found his mother looking at him with gentle eyes. Unable to resist, he leaned in and kissed Lydia, then nuzzled against her shoulder, seeking comfort.Lydia felt a warm flutter in her heart; her child had missed her. A wave of guilt washed over her as she stroked Wythe's little head. "Wythe, I'm sorry for not saying anything before and leaving you behind."Wythe, despite his previous frustration, had come to understand that his mother had no choice. "It's okay, Mom. I've grown up and can understand your decisions. Just promise that wherever you go, you'll take me with you.""Of course!"As they chatted warmly in the living room, Lambert stood in the kitchen, facing a daunting array of ingredients. He had done some research beforehand and learned that pregnant women needed balanced nutrition, preferably from home-cooked meals, since who knew about the hygiene of outside food?Determined to prepare a meal for Lydia, Lambert decided to cook. After
Once Lydia calmed down, she realized Lambert had already come in. Given Wythe's presence, it was obviously unrealistic to ask him to leave.Seizing the moment, Wythe turned to Lydia and said, "Mom, can I stay with you tonight?"Lydia nodded without hesitation. "Of course you can! Where else would you stay?"As she spoke, she shot a glance at Lambert, her eyes clearly indicating that she wanted him to leave as soon as possible. He was just too much to deal with.Unfortunately, Lambert didn't take the hint and instead asked, "Lydia, you only have a small bed here. Wythe won't fit; I think he should stay at my place."Although it was just next door, Lambert's place was vastly different—a spacious two-hundred-square-meter apartment with three bedrooms and two living areas, while Lydia's was only about ninety. As soon as he moved in, Lambert had redecorated one of the rooms specifically for Lydia.Before Lydia could respond, Wythe looked at
No matter how upset Lydia felt, Lambert followed her like a shadow. However, he managed to avoid any more foolish actions after their earlier confrontation, even going so far as to apologize.He was humble, hoping to cheer her up, but she remained as cold as ice, leaving him in despair."Dad, I've arrived at Y City Airport! Come pick me up!"When Lambert received Wythe's call, he felt like a savior had arrived. Ever since their argument over Lydia's job, she hadn't spoken to him at all. Initially, she wouldn't let him in, and now she didn't even open the door. If she saw it was him through the peephole, she would resolutely stay inside!With that attitude, even Lambert's best efforts were useless.Wythe's arrival was the perfect catalyst to break the deadlock. Delighted, Lambert headed straight to the airport after dropping off Lydia's meal, as usual.Meanwhile, Lydia was fuming at the sight of meals consistently hanging on her door. She cou
Lambert presented himself as refined, but his underlying dominance was unmistakable. "That's not the case, Principal. I'm just worried about Lydia's health. She's pregnant, and she's caring for a class full of four- and five-year-olds. If something were to happen, it could be very dangerous for her."The principal furrowed her brow, eyeing him curiously. His concern seemed more like that of a family member than a parent. "While your point is valid, we've already considered this. Surely, you wouldn't expect her to be dismissed? After all, maternity leave is an option now...""Maternity leave is limited," Lambert replied firmly. "Besides, you must know that Lydia can't stay here forever."The principal felt uneasy. Lambert's demeanor and attire suggested he was no ordinary individual; why would he want his family working in such a small place? Something felt off."On what grounds are you so sure?" she asked.Lambert responded with unwavering confiden
Meanwhile, Lydia was feeling quite emotional in her room. The impact of seeing Lambert, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, was overwhelming. He had lost quite a bit of weight, and from his words, it seemed he had been eager to find her ever since he left.It would be a lie to say she wasn't touched; he truly cared about her. She had always held onto him in her heart and never let go. However, the idea of going back because of this was unlikely; after all, she was a stubborn person, and once she made a decision, it wasn't easy to change her mind.Lydia hoped that Lambert would take the hint and leave soon so her life could return to normal. Otherwise, her heart would be in turmoil!As Lambert, whom Lydia hoped would leave, was knocking on the door next door, an elderly man in his sixties opened it, eyeing Lambert suspiciously.Lambert straightened his clothes and spoke with a gentle tone, "Hello, I'm Lambert. The thing is..."Lydia, completely obl