"Daddy!" Andrew was terrified, hugging him around the waist and crying. "Don't be mean to Ma'am and don't blame Auntie Lea. Let's go and find Ada. She must be terrified now."Ada grew up afraid of the dark and loved to cry. He broke down at the thought of Ada cowering in a corner, crying, or being abducted by some criminal. He stared at Lea and yelled coldly. "You had better tell me exactly what was going on."Kisa fought back the pain in her arm and got up from the ground, then tugged at Lea. "Don't be afraid. Tell us how Ada disappeared."Lea kept shivering in fright and said with tearful eyes, "Just now it was crowded in the dessert shop. I-I took Andrew to buy some desserts and let Ada wait in her seat. When we came back from the table, A-Ada was gone."Kisa subconsciously looked at Andrew, who nodded. "It is really none of Aunt Lea's fault. Daddy, let's go find Ada.""How long has Ada been missing?" Kisa asked Lea again."I-I think she has been gone for about ten minutes. An
She asked and gestured with her hands.The young couple shook their heads apologetically. "Sorry, we have never seen her."Kisa took a deep breath and asked a few other people, but still nothing. She had almost come to the other end of the alley, and further ahead was a residential area, the gate of which was closed, and only residents could get in. So she was certain that Ada was not inside. This was one of the busiest turnoffs near the school. She wondered where Ada could go if she was not here. It had only been ten minutes, and Ada could not have gone far.She told herself repeatedly that this was a school zone, where the security was tight, and that there could not have been abductions of children happening here. But she still panicked and scared, anxiously searching around, her eyes eagerly scanning the passing crowd, but still could not find Ada. She broke down and grabbed at her hair as she walked back again anxiously. Since Ada was not here, she could only look in other dire
It was Mia, and she was holding a little boy about the same age as Ada. Just that Mia was supposed to be in Raworth, so Kisa wondered how she ended up in Calthon and if Jensen knew about it."It has been a long time, Kisa."Kisa walked over with Ada in her arms, her heart skipping a beat when her eyes swept across the boy's face. For some reason, she felt that the boy's eyes looked like someone she knew. She was nevertheless happy to see Mia again. "You have come to this city, too?"Mia smiled. "Yeah. Blake and I may have to stay here long term.""That's great. This is a nice place. We can come out for a meal more often." Kisa smiled and asked, "Does Jensen know you have come over?""He knew." Mia let out a meaningful smile. "He is the one who told Blake and me to come over."Kisa smiled and nodded, suddenly feeling that she had just asked a redundant question. The only people Mia knew well here were probably Jensen, and if Jensen had not asked, they would not have come over.Ad
Kisa quickly called out to them. "Where do you live? Maybe I can visit you when I have time.""Blake attends the kindergarten right up ahead. I see this girl is also wearing the kindergarten's uniform. If you come to pick up the girl from the kindergarten, we will definitely run into each other again," Mia said, and took Blake with her.Kisa looked on as Mia left. She still felt that Mia's sudden appearance in Calthon was a bit strange.Gilbert was not interested in Mia and Blake. He just anxiously checked Ada to see if she was injured. At last, he found the two bandages on her arms. "What is this again?" Gilbert frowned, his face sullen, and he sounded angry.Ada, who was already aggrieved, cried and hid in Kisa's arms upon being shouted at. "Daddy is mean. Daddy is so mean. I don't want daddy..."Gilbert looked at her, his eyes scarily sullen. "You cry every time you are disciplined. When have you ever listened to me? What if you get lost if you run around like this?" Gilbert wa
He looked at Ada. His face looked a bit stern, no longer as sullen as before. "Come out here. Do you think you can get away with it by hiding under Kisa's arms?"Ada clung to Kisa and shook her head vigorously. "I afraid of Daddy."Gilbert took a deep breath. It was apparent that he was trying hard to suppress his anger.Kisa shook her head helplessly. She squatted down and held Ada's shoulders. "Don't be afraid. Talk to your daddy properly. You are wrong for straying too far away from the school this time. As long as you admit your mistake, Daddy will forgive you."Ada poked her two fingers at each other and cautiously looked at Gilbert, who still had a face like thunder, of which even adults would be afraid, not to mention children."Don't look at Ada with such an expression. You will scare her," Kisa said."I don't need you to tell me how to teach my child. When have you ever cared about them? Stop pretending already."Kisa choked in anger, feeling guilty when Ada was missing
The first time, Gilbert did not respond to the poke. Ada looked back at Kisa, who grinned at her, signaling her to continue and mouthing the word "come on." Ada had no choice but to poke at Gilbert again."You know you are wrong, don't you?" Gilbert finally turned around. He stared down at Ada with a frown.Ada quickly nodded. "Daddy, I'm sorry. I won't go stray again, and from now on, I will tell everyone where I am going and will not make everyone worry anymore. Please don't be angry with Ma'am and me anymore, okay?"Gilbert said nothing, just stared at Ada. Just when he knew Ada was missing, he was so panicked that he did not know what to do. But he felt Kisa did not seem to be worried at all. He got angry at the thought of this. He did not think Kisa was a qualified mother. While having this thought in mind, someone crashed into his arms—it was Ada."Daddy, don't be angry, okay?" Ada tugged at the corner of his coat, hoping he would crouch down. Gilbert stubbed out his cigarett
Lea was startled, and her body tensed up.Kisa glanced at her. Knowing Lea was afraid of Gilbert, she said, "What do you want with her? I told you it is not her fault, so blame me if you want."Gilbert ignored her and walked Lea to a corner. Lea cowered and looked at Kisa. "What is he doing? He is not going to hit me, is he?""How dare he?" Kisa sneered at Gilbert from behind. "If you try to hit Lea, I will kill you."Gilbert sneered. "Don't always think of me as violent. Have I, Gilbert, ever hit a woman?"Kisa snickered, feeling his remark was very debatable. But with so many around, she did not think Gilbert would do anything to Lea. With that in mind, she said to Lea, "Go check it out and see what he wants."Lea nodded and went over with a feeling of apprehension. After a few moments, Lea came back to her with a smile on her face. What was even more alarming was that Gilbert seemed to be in a good mood, too. 'My God, what have they been whispering about to suddenly become so
"Since they like you so much and have waited for you here, what is wrong with letting them stay at your place for one night?""I...""Just for one night; can't you just fulfill their wish? Why do you have to be so mean and cruel?""I'm mean and cruel?" Kisa let out a sardonic laughter as she found no way to reason with this man. He was supposedly the one who was mean and cruel, yet he accused her of that, which was ridiculous.Andrew and Ada were still looking at her expectantly, and Kisa looked at Gilbert. "Is it really just for one night?""Otherwise, do you think I would feel comfortable letting them stay at your place long-term?" Gilbert always spoke to her with a touch of sarcasm in his voice, and that was most irritating to Kisa.She gritted her teeth and said, "Okay, just for one night—that is what you said." With that, she took Andrew and Ada and walked toward the roadside, intending to take a cab home. Gilbert suddenly called out to her again. She turned around and yelle
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