Lydia screamed hysterically, her expression one of pure anguish.Seeing her in such pain, Lambert felt as if his heart were being pricked by countless needles.“Let me tell you the reason!”A deep, hoarse middle-aged voice abruptly interrupted them.Upon seeing the newcomer, Lambert’s face grew even darker.His gaze fell on Bob not far away. Hadn’t he warned Bob not to let his father know that Lydia was here?Bob looked conflicted. He had indeed tried to block the news, but with so many people attending today, it was inevitable that two women discussing Lydia’s presence were overheard by Ogden, which is why he came out.Ogden's sudden appearance left Lydia momentarily stunned. She pursed her lips and called out, “Father...”“We’re not that close! Besides, Lambert was right before. Our family doesn’t welcome you. When Nydia was alive, she often criticized you, but I never expected you to be so ruthless. You murderer, how dare you show your face here?”Ogden's words ignited a flurry of
Lydia, not wanting to see Andrew in a difficult position, pursed her lips and gave Lambert one last, lingering look before turning to Andrew. “Let’s go, Andrew.”Andrew felt a surge of joy, his eyes brightening, but Lydia and her son's spirits were low.Watching Lydia and Andrew leave together, Lambert could only close his eyes in pain before quickly regaining his composure.Ogden glanced at him dismissively. “It’s for the best. At least now you won’t have to use the excuse of visiting the child to secretly meet that woman. I’m doing you a favor!”Lambert lowered his gaze, a flicker of light in his eyes.After a long pause, he softly replied, “I understand, Dad. The funeral is about to start. Let’s go inside.”Ogden gave Lambert a deep look, unsure if Lambert truly didn’t care.On the other side, Lydia returned to the villa with Andrew, looking lost.She had hoped to have a proper conversation with Lambert today and possibly clear up past misunderstandings, but he didn’t even give her
Fortunately, she wasn't impulsive.Though sympathetic to Lydia's situation, Thera understood that emotions were personal matters, not to be meddled with by others."Mr. Halsey, you should know that we're not very familiar with each other. If it weren't for Lydia, we might never have crossed paths. I don't care about the Halsey family’s issues, but I do care about Lydia. So, if this is for you or your family, I'm sorry, but I won't help.""What if it's for Lydia? You should know how much trouble the online rumors are causing her…” Lambert's worry was palpable.“Do you mean you have a solution?” Thera's interest was piqued.“As long as the real culprit is found, the rumors will naturally collapse.”“The real culprit?” Thera's interest deepened. She knew the online photos were doctored, but she wasn't aware of the details of the incident.Lydia had remained tight-lipped, and Ogden had firmly accused her.If Lambert, who was directly involved, could provide the truth, she could redirect p
“We were wrong, Newman!” Yves said, his voice hoarse. “We made a mistake before. We want to return to the gang. From now on, if you say east, we won’t go west.”Newman hadn’t expected this. He exchanged a glance with Odelia, a question in his eyes.Odelia thought for a moment. “Someone, untie them! And bring some medicine for their wounds!”Yves immediately showed his gratitude. “Thank you, Odelia!”Miles looked equally grateful but also a bit guilty.Once his wrists were freed, he slapped himself hard and fell to his knees in front of Newman and Odelia. “Newman, big sister, punish me. I was petty and misjudged people.”“Alright, alright. We’re all brothers here. Herman, we’ve known each other for ten years, right? I know your character. You’re straightforward and easily influenced. Most of what happened before was probably instigated by others.”Newman quickly helped Herman up, while Yves stood gratefully beside them.Odelia observed them. Their gratitude seemed genuine, and their wo
Herman raised his glass and downed the drink in one gulp. "Refreshing!"Not to be outdone, Newman also tilted his head back and drank his wine.Odelia followed suit.Herman and Yves exchanged a glance and said in unison, "Great drinking!"The four of them ate and drank, conversing happily. Soon, Odelia and Newman started to feel the effects of the alcohol.At that moment, everything changed. Herman, who had been acting friendly, suddenly pulled out a small dagger and lunged at Odelia.Odelia screamed instinctively. Her scream snapped Newman out of his drunken haze. Instantly sober, he moved to shield Odelia without thinking.Yves didn't let up either; he smashed a bottle on the table and aimed the jagged glass at Odelia's face.The dagger plunged into Newman's chest, piercing deeply. Odelia's scream turned into a cry of agony.Outside, the commotion had been heard, and people were rushing toward the room.Newman f
Odelia was completely unprepared for what happened next.She thought she had the Dragon Gang firmly in her grasp, but overnight, it disintegrated.After some investigation, she discovered that the Tiger Gang had made a move.Newman's death had already reached Solomon's ears. Seizing the opportunity, he quickly absorbed the remaining members of the Dragon Gang.Those who joined the Tiger Gang were secretly thrilled; following the Tiger Gang seemed far better than staying with a woman, even if she was formidable and ruthless.They saw no future with her.Especially now, with many of the Dragon Gang's leaders either dead or on the run!People are inherently practical and selfish. So when Odelia saw her former subordinates pointing guns at her, ordering her to leave the Dragon Gang, she wasn't surprised. Deep down, she had anticipated this day.After leaving the Dragon Gang, Odelia instinctively headed back to the Zigler household.
"Two thousand? Twenty thousand? Or two hundred thousand?" Flora's face grew uglier with each word!Odelia glanced coldly at her, "It's two million! And I want it in cash! Otherwise, do you expect me to go abroad and enjoy the northwest wind? Of course, you can refuse my demands. In that case, I don't mind sending certain materials to certain departments. Trust me, it won't be something you'll enjoy!""What... what do you have in your hands?" Flora asked anxiously.Odelia chuckled, "Auntie, do you think I'm foolish enough to show it to you? Don't worry, as long as I'm safe, you and uncle will be safe too. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless. After all, I have a life to live!"At this point, Flora had no choice left. But regarding what Odelia mentioned, she also needed to retrieve it. Family knows best about their own affairs.Over the years, Mayor Zigler has secretly engaged in many self-serving activities, but as the saying goes, 'Those wh
Without hesitation, she sat down right beside Flora.After a satisfying meal, Odelia finally spoke, "The money?""Don't worry, it's all ready for you. The clothes are packed in the suitcase," Flora replied, dragging out a pre-prepared box.She opened it for Odelia to inspect, who was pleased to find everything meticulously arranged inside.As she glanced at her passport, her once vibrant face in the photo contrasted starkly with the scars now marking her features, fueling her simmering resentment.Thinking Odelia was concerned about her altered appearance, Flora reassured her, "It's alright, Odelia. I've already made arrangements with the airport authorities. They won't give you any trouble."Odelia glanced at Flora in surprise, "Auntie, thank you nonetheless. Goodbye!"Flora waved her off, "We're family, no need for formalities. Let me have the driver take you to the airport."Raising an eyebrow, Odelia remarked, "Auntie, seem
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
Using their son as a shield might seem a bit embarrassing, but it was undeniably effective. Sure enough, upon hearing Wythe's name, Lydia paused her resistance to Lambert. She struggled to move her legs and began to make her way toward her home.What should have been a short ten-minute walk turned into a half-hour ordeal due to Lydia's difficulty in moving. During this time, she even awkwardly made a trip to the restroom. As she entered the later stages of her pregnancy, not only had her legs swollen, but her trips to the bathroom had also increased significantly. Just moments ago, she had finished a latte, which made the situation even more awkward—suddenly needing to find a restroom while walking.Lambert, while unaware of the many inconveniences pregnancy could bring, couldn't help but feel like a negligent husband and father as he watched Lydia struggle. He realized he knew nothing about what she was going through. Seeing her in such discomfort made his heart