Sharon probably did not notice that Carolyn was missing.The plan to kidnap Kisa was, after all, planned by her family. Sharon must be rejoicing deep down.Kelvin muttered coldly, "How dare Anthony kidnap so many people in broad daylight."Gracie pulled Kelvin's hand and said anxiously, "I don't know where they brought Kisa to. Would they hurt her?"Kelvin suddenly panicked, "Anthony had always held a grudge on Kisa. She might not be safe."Seeing the both of them worry about herself, Kisa felt touched.Sharon looked to the other side and pretended to cry, "You're right! Anthony hated Kisa to the core. Who knows what he'll do to torture her? Boo hoo...Kisa, where are you? Boo hoo hoo…"Sharon's forceful act made Kisa feel disgusted.Kisa smirked. Immediately after, she changed her expression and walked in with a panicked look."You're finally awake!""Kisa?"Gracie rushed over happily, "Did anything happen to you?"Kelvin found it strange too, "Anthony did not do anything t
The front of the house was crowded with reporters. The endless sound of cameras flashing, and people discussing, laughing, and cursing filled the place.Kisa stood at the window and sneered at the situation inside the house. She saw Carolyn hugging a blanket in fear, with a shirtless stranger standing beside her.Sharon rushed through the crowd and roared, "Mom, what are you doing? What the hell is going on?""How would I know what's going on?!" Carolyn's eyes were bloodshot red, and her voice was loud and sharp, "Stop it! Stop taking pictures! This is all a misunderstanding!" However, the reporters only laughed, and the sound of the cameras became louder and louder.Carolyn glared at the man next to her and roared, "Who are you?! Why are you doing this?! Who's paying you to do this?!"The man stared at Carolyn innocently and said, "What are you talking about, Mrs. Case? You're the one who asked me to satisfy you. You said you would bring your daughter and friends here for a vacat
"What are you crying for? Why didn't you do as I said when I asked you to get rid of those reporters?! You wanted me to make a fool out of myself, didn't you?" Carolyn roared at Sharon."Mom, I'm a public figure. All the attention would be on me if I said something in that situation," Sharon explained. "What in the world happened? Didn't we talk about this? It was supposed to be Anthony…""Shut your mouth!"The older one is, the wiser they are. Even though Carolyn had just had a meltdown in front of the reporters, she could still consider that Kelvin and Gracie were still there."Aunty, a-are you okay?" asked Kisa deliberately. Carolyn shot Kisa a fierce look, but she did not dare act up in front of Kelvin and Gracie. "I'm fine," she sneered.Gracie's outlook on life was almost shattered to pieces. She stood by the door without making a sound. "What were you doing, Aunty? If you want to have relations outside your marriage, then just do it secretly. Why did you have to create su
"You b*tch. How dare you fool around at this old age? How will I have the face to go out in the future?" Christopher said angrily.This was the first time Kisa saw him that mad. Although the man in front of her was her biological father, seeing him angry made her happy. Those were the people who had hurt her mother, and she wanted each and every one of them to pay the price."How dare you hit me, Christopher?" Carolyn roared at him in disbelief."Oh, I'm not just going to hit you. I'm going to divorce you, b*tch. My reputation is ruined because of you," he said as he slapped her across the face again."Dad, this is all a misunderstanding. Mom didn't do this. It was Kisa. That b*tch framed mom. She's the one who ruined your reputation. She ruined our family reputation," Sharon grabbed his arm and cried.Christopher glanced at Kisa coldly."Didn't your family plan this? This is the consequence of your own actions. It's ridiculous that you're blaming me." Kisa drew a clear line betw
Jensen shrugged. "What do you think we're doing?" he asked.Gilbert's expression became even colder. He had come to the farm since the day Kisa appeared here. He had been monitoring her every move. He knew that she disliked Christopher Case and Sharon, but he did not expect her to frame Carolyn Marshall. 'She is a vicious woman. She ruined the entire Case family's reputation just because of some personal grievance she had against them,' he thought.Jensen smiled when he saw the cold look on Gilbert's face. "I'll never stop her from doing what she wants to do. I'll only support her.""Even when she has lost her conscience?""Yes, I will support everything she does."For some reason, Gilbert was jealous after hearing Jensen's words. Maybe it is because he could not do what this man was willing to do for Kisa. However, he was disgusted at the fact that Kisa had done such an evil thing to Carolyn."She shouldn't be this vicious," Gilbert said in a low voice. "You shouldn't be helping
Kisa's expression stiffened when she heard Gilbert's name, but she quickly recovered. She took a sip of her wine and laughed with a hint of self-deprecation."He must know what I did today then. He must think I'm vicious. After all, in his perception, Christopher and Carolyn treat me well. He must think that I'm an evil, ungrateful b*tch."Jensen stared at Kisa who just mocked herself. "He didn't say you were vicious," he said. Kisa laughed indifferently. "It's fine if he said it out loud or not. I know that's what he thinks of me anyway—a heinous and vicious woman. But that doesn't matter. I'll just continue taking my revenge. Soon, it'll be his turn."Jensen looked at Kisa quietly. For some reason, he always felt that her smile was unconvincing, and that there was a sense of brokenness behind it.He put some food in her bowl and said with concern, "Carolyn and Sharon won't let this go that easily. You have to be careful.""Well, Kohen's banquet is just around the corner. If my g
Jensen glanced at the tapping device and chuckled. "Looks like Carolyn is pretty smart, too.""Of course she is smart. Otherwise, how else could she have gotten rid of my mother and taken Christopher by the horns?" Kisa tossed the tapping device into the trash.Jensen frowned with worries. "So what do you do next to protect yourself from their trap?""I can't, so I don't have to. If they want to hurt me, they will have to see if they are still capable of it."Kisa opened the newspaper and, as she expected, all the pages were devoted to Carolyn and Christopher. Sharon's reputation was affected as well. There were several intriguing photos in the paper, so Carolyn did not even have a chance to clear her name.She fondled the last page of the book, written by her mother with tears in her eyes, and she felt a lump in her throat. Had her mother been alive and seen Carolyn's retribution, she would have been thrilled.In the Case residence, Carolyn tore the paper to pieces and shouted a
Gilbert ignored their conversation and walked straight out of the house.Madalyn called out to him in exasperation. "That b*tch hooked up with Jensen to create the J & K Film Group. You know about that, right?""Yes.""Then they set Carolyn up, dragged Sharon down, and used it to ruin Sharon and take on GK. You know about that, right?""Yes."Gilbert's calm and indifferent demeanor hurt her. "You know? Why didn't you go after them? I told you a long time ago, that woman was not a good thing. She is just like her mother, belligerent but good at disguising it. I see that now Jensen has been completely bewitched by her.""Grandma..." Gilbert slowly turned around and looked at her with sadness in his eyes. "Jensen didn't really want to go abroad back then, did he?"Madalyn's expression changed slightly. "Who said that? I was selfishly afraid that he would compete with you for the family fortune and wanted to send him abroad, but he did want to go abroad for further study, and I did
In a small town in the South, a gentle breeze caressed the cheeks of passersby, creating a pleasant and serene atmosphere. This town, known for its tourism, was adorned with flowers even in its narrow alleys. The surrounding houses were all quaint inns, exuding a poetic and picturesque charm.Beneath an arching bridge, Kisa set up an easel to display and sell her paintings. She had always loved painting since childhood. Although she had not achieved great success in this field, her vivid and evocative paintings were very popular with tourists. She would sell most of her paintings every day.On weekends, Blake would join her at the stall, but today was Wednesday, and she was alone. After arranging her paintings, she had barely sat down when people began to gather around. Some admired her art, while others immediately offered to buy. Her paintings were reasonably priced, which attracted many customers."Miss, I'd like that painting of the snow-covered rose garden at night.""Alright,
In the backyard, Kohen looked at his older brother's calm expression, a hint of worry in his voice. "Bro, are you alright?""I'm fine," Hayes said, adjusting the blanket on his lap. "Tomorrow, take me to meet those medical geniuses you found.""Oh, sure..." Kohen nodded in agreement, but after a moment, he could not help but ask, "Bro, what did that woman say to you that made you change your mind so suddenly?"Hayes gazed at the stars in the sky, his voice cool and distant. "She told me she's doing well, very happy. Then she pointed out how pitiful and miserable I am right now. She asked me if I don't feel envious, knowing how well she is doing compared to me."Kohen grimaced, realizing that the woman had provoked his brother into action.Hayes lowered his eyes, a faint smile on his face. "That's right. How could I not be envious? So, I want to heal my legs, live a good life, and show her that I can do better than her."Kohen felt a pang of sympathy for his brother. From Hayes's
Mentioning Hayes, Eylul's expression became complex. "Hayes is reclusive and doesn't like to see people. Only a single old servant has been taking care of him all these years. I only met him once, back when I married Kohen."Mia's heart ached, recalling the enigmatic yet deeply emotional man. She could not help but feel a lump in her throat. "How's his health?" Mia asked.Eylul replied, "His health is fine, but his legs have remained the same. Kohen has found top orthopedic experts for him and even sought out Kelvin Hoover from Calthon, but he refuses treatment. For so many years, he hasn't even stepped outside the backyard.""You mean he's been living in the backyard all this time?" Jensen asked gravely.Eylul nodded. "Yes, Kohen wanted him to live in the main house, but he refused. He only likes staying in the backyard. Moreover, the room he stays in used to be..." Eylul glanced at Mia. She had heard that Mia used to live in that room.With a complicated expression, Mia pursed h
"Let's forget everything that just happened,' Mia said.Jensen looked up at her. In the moonlight, his eyes were deep and complex, profound and unfathomable.Mia tried to muster a smile. "You don't have to feel burdened. In a way, I forced you. And you must have always disliked me. Actually, I didn't come to you for money; I just wanted to see you. Now that I have, I should go. Jensen, from now on... take care."With that, she walked away, fearing that if she lingered any longer, she would not be able to leave. But after only a few steps, she was embraced from behind.Jensen's voice was low and hoarse. "Stay with me."Mia trembled at his words. Jensen continued. "But I still have so many things to do and someone in my heart I can't let go of. I don't know... when I will be able to give you a satisfactory answer. If you don't want to stay with me without any promises or guarantees, you can—""I'm willing," Mia blurted out, "as long as I can be with you, I don't care about anything
Mia's face changed instantly. " You... you know I like Jensen, why would you...""Heh, if you like Jensen, shouldn't you be willing to do anything for him? If you can't even do this, how can you claim to love him?""I won't do it! Doing this would be betraying Jensen. I would risk my life for him, but I can't do this."Adrien stared at her flushed face and gently chuckled, his words loaded with meaning. "Aren't you feeling all hot and bothered yet?"Mia frowned. Her body was indeed getting hotter and more agitated. 'Why would Adrien ask this? Could it be the drink...?'As the thought crossed her mind, her heart sank. Seeing Adrien's cold expression and the man's playful smile, Mia turned and ran. But before she could take more than a few steps, she was dragged back. Weakened by the drink, her desperate struggles were futile. As the man pressed her down, playing with her like a toy, she closed her eyes in despair. She thought she could never face Jensen again. With a bitter laugh,
Adrien Tanner, Jensen's father, stood before Mia with a warm smile. "My son is truly awkward when it comes to matters of the heart. He's even willing to refuse such a beautiful young woman like you."Mia stared at him, her tears suddenly streaming down her face. "I only wanted to see him, even if it was to face rejection. Wouldn't it better to say it clearly to my face?""Yes, it would." Adrien agreed. "But standing here stubbornly won't help, because he left on a business trip a couple of days ago."Mia's heart ached even more, realizing that Jensen had avoided using the front door just to evade her.Adrien continued. "I have a way to make him come to you willingly, but it depends on whether you're willing to cooperate."Mia nodded. "What do I have to do?"Adrien motioned to his bodyguard, who handed him a glass of wine. "Drink this," he said.Mia furrowed her brow, hesitant.Adrien gently patted her shoulder, like a father would."Don't be afraid. I won't harm you. From the
Filled with guilt, Mia stepped forward, but Kohen suddenly pulled out a handgun and aimed it at her."Get out!"Jensen pulled Mia back. He looked at the cold man before him. It was this man who had taken him in years ago. At that time, Kohen was young, a carefree and privileged young man. Now, he seemed to have grown up all at once, his eyes colder and more distant.Jensen said with a troubled expression, "If you ever need me in the future, don't hesitate to find me."Kohen sneered coldly; pain etched in his brow. He mocked himself. "I never should have taken you in back then. In the end, it was I who harmed my own brother."Jensen pursed his lips, not knowing what to say, only feeling an unbearable pain in his heart. It was the first time he felt he owed someone. That sense of indebtedness suffocated him."Get out, and don't let me see you two ever again."On that night, Jensen and Mia left the McCray family. As a result of Hayes's ordeal, the McCray family underwent tremendous
"What on earth happened?"Jensen did not speak. Mia choked out. "The collaboration between the Burton family and the McCray family was a trap. We were ambushed by the Burton family, and Hayes... he was hit by a car trying to save us.""Damn it!" Kohen cursed under his breath, abruptly pulling a knife from a nearby bodyguard and pointing it at them. "What are your lives worth? Why would my brother save you? Why?"Mia bit her lip, tears streaming down her face. 'It's my fault. I wanted to save Jensen, but I should have gone alone. I shouldn't have dragged Hayes into this. He seemed cold-blooded and heartless, and I never thought that he would risk his life for me. Why was he so good to me?'"Kohen..."Suddenly, a weak cry rang out. Hayes had awakened.Kohen hurriedly moved closer, gripping Hayes's hand. "Bro!"Hayes's face was deathly pale. He did not look at Kohen, but instead turned his gaze to Mia. His eyes were calm. He saw Mia's red-rimmed eyes and the tears lingering there,
Hayes was sent flying by the car, his body crashing into a wall before bouncing back.Mia's entire body felt ice-cold as she trembled, yelling, "Hayes!""Kill them all!" A hoarse, aged voice suddenly rang out from the entrance. It was Curtis. He looked at Kendall's lifeless body on the ground, his eyes filled with rage, shouting, "Run them over! I want them to join my grandson in death!""Ah!" Jensen roared, disregarding the guards' swinging knives, and like a madman, charged at Curtis. Curtis's face changed, desperately pulling a nearby guard in front of him as a shield. But it was useless. Jensen, like a crazed beast, attacked anyone in his path. Soon, his knife was held against Curtis's throat.Curtis trembled all over. "Wh-What do you want?"Jensen, covered in blood with splatters on his face, looked like a demon that had emerged from a battleground. He grabbed Curtis and held him hostage in front of him. "Let us go!""Don't even think about it!" Curtis retorted angrily. "You