When Diana’s call came through, Layson Norman was on his way to sign a contract with a real estate developer. Over the phone, Diana sounded distraught and tearful, begging Layson to come back and help with Dexter. This was the first time Diana had ever pleaded with Layson in such a manner, because she honestly had no other options.“Layson, please come home. Your father locked Dexter in the study. I have no idea what’s going on in there, and he won’t let me in. I’m at a total loss here.”Hearing this, Layson frowned slightly, pausing in front of the elevator doors. “What happened?”Diana stood outside the study, watching the closed door anxiously. Her worry only grew deeper. She knew how Richard could be when he was angry—he cared about nothing else, and over the past few years, his temper had only gotten worse.“He found out that Dexter beat someone up, landing them in the hospital. He must’ve run into Dexter at the police station today, and I guess he was furious.”Layson, now stepp
Richard had collapsed from high blood pressure and was now lying in a VIP hospital bed. After a lifetime of being decisive and commanding in the business world, he had unexpectedly been laid low by family matters. The shock of learning so many big secrets at once had overwhelmed him. Now, with tubes and monitors tracking his vitals, he seemed both fragile and furious, though he was currently unconscious.Diana sat at his bedside, gazing at the stark white walls around them, her brow creased in worry. Ever since Richard had stepped down from his position as chairman, his health had deteriorated, and his temper had grown worse. Perhaps it was the fear that, without him at the helm, the Norman family empire could crack under pressure from uncles and cousins all eyeing the vast inheritance. Richard had always relied on the authority he radiated, but now he felt that authority slipping through his fingers. And while Layson had proven himself adept at steering the Norman conglomerate, the p
Adela returned to her room and stared at the envelope in her hand for a long time. She was curious about its contents, but she couldn’t bring herself to open it. Something about it gave her an uneasy feeling. After a while, she sighed, deciding it was better to leave it for now. She slipped it into her drawer and shut it, trying to push the uncertainty out of her mind.After a refreshing shower, Adela sat at her desk and began to paint. Each stroke of the brush brought her a small sense of joy; she finally felt like she had found something she truly loved. What she needed now was to perfect it. Adela was deeply grateful for the second chance life had given her.Meanwhile, Layson Norman had been waiting at the hospital for hours for his father, Richard Norman, to wake up. Piles of documents had accumulated on the table in front of him. Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Layson looked up to see a doctor who looked to be around his father’s age. Layson put the papers down and stood up.
Five years later. The Norman Family.The spring garden was decked out with balloons and plush toys that children loved. The whole yard was filled with people, all wearing broad smiles. Children were running around, their laughter echoing through the air, blending perfectly with the flowers blooming in the garden. Diana walked out of the house, beaming with joy as she greeted the guests."Hope you’re all having fun!"Today was Ralph’s 5th birthday, and the Normans were throwing a grand party for their little prince. The guest list was full of high-society figures, all eager to win favor with the influential Norman family. Given this golden opportunity, how could anyone refuse?Three years ago, Layson Norman had shocked the public when he suddenly appeared with a two-year-old child. This stirred up a flurry of speculation about Layson. Some said Layson had secretly married a commoner, while others believed the child was the son of a famous celebrity—one the Norman family had forbidden f
At the Airport.Layson Norman stepped off the plane, his black suit exuding the maturity of a man who had grown even more imposing over the past five years. He moved with purpose, and there was no doubt that he had become even more confident and authoritative since the last time he had been in the public eye. As he exited the terminal, someone was already waiting for him.Barnes quickly approached when he spotted Layson.“Mr. Norman.”Layson handed his suitcase to Barnes, then smoothly took the stack of documents from Barnes’ hand, without missing a beat. Flipping through them, he glanced at the title and immediately handed the papers back.“Cancel it. This project is meaningless.”His voice was firm and decisive, and there was no hesitation in his words. Over the past five years, Layson had become even more ruthless and efficient in business. He was now a man who could truly stand on his own, representing the Norman family with ease. He glanced at his watch—it was just in time—and th
Layson Norman emerged from the bathroom after his shower, his hair still damp, and droplets of water glistening on his forehead. He rubbed a towel through his hair absentmindedly as he stepped into the living room. Ralph was still sitting on the couch, and Layson couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.“You’re still up?” Layson asked, a bit surprised. It was late, and most children would be ushered off to bed, especially if they had to go to kindergarten the next day. But Ralph was different. He hadn’t gone to kindergarten since he was four. At three, Layson had tried to send him, but Ralph had found it boring—he thought the other kids were too childish. He begged Layson not to make him go, and after seeing how miserable Ralph was, Layson had relented.At first, Layson had refused, but after noticing Ralph’s constant sulking, he sat down to ask why. Ralph explained that the kids were noisy, the teachers were dull, and he felt he could learn more on his own by reading books. Layson, recogn
On the dimly lit runway, models strutted down wearing the latest designs from this season's Fashion Week. Adorned with exquisite and glamorous jewelry, they showcased the pieces to the audience, all in rhythm with the music. Adela sat in the audience, her eyes fixed on each model as they walked by. This was the closest she could get to the world of fashion, where she could see the most popular trends up close.Adela was a jewelry designer. She was responsible for designing the accessories for one of the themes in the fashion show, which was why she was attending Fashion Week. This was also her first time attending such a large event under her own name after five years of hard work. Watching her creations on display, Adela felt a sense of pride and fulfillment, knowing that she hadn’t wasted the effort she had put in over the past five years.“Adela, your designs are amazing!”A girl sitting next to Adela spoke, her face beaming with praise. She was Adela's classmate, and the two of th
Layson Norman handed a file to Liam Walton across the desk, nodding toward it with a slight, almost mysterious gesture. Liam raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit curious, and opened the file.“What’s this?” Liam asked, flipping through the pages.Inside, it was all Adela’s academic records from her time in England, every detail meticulously documented, even her exam results. Liam took his time reading each page, impressed by the solid performance and glowing grades. He felt a deep sense of pride for Adela.“Adela’s almost finished her studies in England. She’s graduating in a couple of months,” Layson said, his tone casual yet purposeful. He was letting Liam know that Adela was at a crossroads—she could either return home or stay in England. It was up to her now. Liam’s expression shifted, his brows furrowing as he processed the information.“Her career in England is going well. She’s made a name for herself and has already met some well-known designers,” Layson continued. He wasn’t just
Layson drove steadily through the quiet streets, making sure Adela and Herbie got home safely. After seeing them both settled, he finally left and headed straight to the police station. Meanwhile, Liam Walton was in the interrogation room with the officers, listening to Ella’s statement. Apparently, she had been following Adela for a while, originally just intending to ask her for money. But somehow, her greed had spiraled out of control, and things escalated into the kidnapping of Herbie.“I have nothing more to say. I just wanted to take her with me,” Ella muttered, her head hanging low. The confidence and aggression she had earlier were now gone, replaced by a hollow expression. Sitting in the dimly lit interrogation room, she seemed completely unaware of the weight of her actions.Liam, who had come to check on the situation, frowned at her indifferent attitude. “Do you even realize what you’ve done?”Ella scoffed and lifted her head slightly. “What did I do? Taking my own daughte
Ella watched as Jackson surrendered, surrounded by countless cars. She knew that today was the end of the road for her—there was no escape. Just as she came to this realization, Layson’s car arrived.Adela saw the chaotic scene before them, and a deep sense of unease settled in her chest. The moment the car came to a stop, she hurriedly pushed the door open and ran out. Layson hadn’t even had time to react before she was already on her way. His heart clenched in alarm—police officers had their weapons drawn, and the situation was clearly dangerous."Adela, come back!"Layson quickly opened his door to chase after her. At the same time, Liam’s car pulled up, and he caught sight of Adela rushing toward the scene. His chest tightened with anxiety.Adela ran into the crowd of officers but didn’t see Herbie or Ella. Instead, she only spotted a man she didn’t recognize. Her heart pounded in fear."Where is my sister, Herbie?"She grabbed a nearby officer, desperate for answers. The uncertai
As soon as Adela stepped into the dimly lit apartment, the stench hit her like a wave—damp mold mixed with the acrid scent of cigarettes and alcohol. The place reeked of decay, of hopelessness. The police had already arrived, but the room was empty. The only things left behind were a dirty mattress and a chair with loose ropes around it. Clearly, they had missed them."Mr. Norman, by the time we got here, they were already gone," an officer reported.Adela walked further inside, her heart tightening as she imagined Herbie sitting there, tied up, scared, trapped in this suffocating place. Her mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions—fear, anger, and a deep-seated guilt. If only she had been more cautious. If only she had noticed something was off sooner.“We need to find them. Now.” Layson’s voice was calm, but the authority in his tone was undeniable. He was fuming inside, not just at the situation, but at himself for underestimating Ella. He had always seen her as nothing more than a
The dimly lit room reeked of damp mold, mixed with the stifling scent of cigarette smoke, making Herbie feel dizzy. Her hands had been tied up for so long that they had gone numb. Across the room, Ella and Jackson sat on a moldy, yellowed mattress, both frowning deeply."So, you're saying we should use this kid to get money from her sister?" Jackson took a long drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling through the damp air, barely dispersing before it clung to the surroundings like an invisible fog. Ella cast a glance at Herbie, who was bound tightly, her eyes darkening with ruthless intent. A chill ran down Herbie’s spine as her sense of unease grew stronger."Yes, her sister has money now. Once we get our hands on a decent amount, we can get out of here and start over somewhere better." Ella’s eyes glimmered with greed, her mind already envisioning a brighter future, oblivious to how terrifying her expression had become. Jackson observed her face and felt a flicker of hesitation. H
Layson saw the redness in Adela's eyes, and it felt like someone had squeezed his heart. A wave of pain surged through him. Without thinking, he gently patted her arms, trying to comfort her."Don't worry, I'm here."His words were like an anchor, grounding her amidst the chaos. Somehow, just knowing he was there made everything feel a little less terrifying, as if things would turn out okay."It’s alright. Get in the car first."Layson held her close and guided her into the car, but he stayed outside, making a call. Adela watched him through the window, noticing the way his brows furrowed as he spoke. She couldn't hear everything clearly, but she caught bits and pieces. His eyes flickered toward her every so often, checking on her. The subtle gestures, the quiet attention—it warmed her heart in a way she hadn’t expected.When he finally finished the call, he circled the car and slid into the driver’s seat.He had been in the middle of a crucial meeting when Mrs. Anderson’s call came
Herbie was heading home as usual that day, completely unaware that she would run into someone from her past—someone she hadn’t seen in years. When she first saw Ella standing there on the street, it took her a moment to even recognize her. The woman looked older, much thinner, and had a weary, almost defeated air about her. Life had clearly not been kind to her."Herbie!"Ella had been waiting along Herbie’s usual route home, and her sudden appearance startled the girl so much that she instinctively took several steps back. Her only memory of this woman was from when she was five years old—the same woman who had abandoned her, leaving her alone in the same house where her father had died."Herbie, it's me, your mother."Ella's face was filled with an exaggerated sadness, as if genuinely hurt by Herbie’s reaction. But her presence here wasn’t some spontaneous decision—she had been planning this moment for a long time. She had been watching, observing from a distance, learning about Her
Liam Walton watched as the old man slowly made his way up the stairs, his back slightly hunched with age. He could tell that his grandfather was feeling down. The man who had once commanded power and influence in the business world was now worn out, troubled by family matters that refused to resolve themselves.Turning back to Evelyn, Liam gently stroked her hand, offering silent comfort."By the way, Liam, when is your father coming back?" the old man suddenly asked, pausing at the staircase. He had almost forgotten that Spencer had called, saying he was returning soon. The thought only struck him now."His flight is the day after tomorrow," Liam replied, his voice carrying a mix of anticipation and tension. He hadn’t yet told his father that they had found Adela.Spencer Walton had left for overseas after his wife passed away. He had been devastated by her death, completely unable to recover from the grief. The knowledge that he had a daughter who had been abandoned only added to hi
The room was filled with the gentle trickle of a small indoor fountain, the sound making the silence between them even more pronounced. Adela sat with her head slightly lowered, absentmindedly toying with her fingers as she processed everything Liam had just told her. She could understand now why she had been abandoned—it was a desperate move, a last resort by a mother trying to protect both her children. But understanding didn't make it any easier to accept.“Adela, I know this isn’t something you can just accept overnight,” Liam said, his voice carrying a mix of patience and pleading. “But Grandpa’s getting older. He’s been hoping for years that you’d come back.”Adela’s lips pressed together into a tight line. She barely remembered her grandfather, and whatever connection they might have had was severed long ago. As far as she was concerned, she had spent her entire life as an outsider to the Walton family, and she wasn’t sure she wanted that to change now.Liam exhaled, sensing he
It was a cold night, one without rain but with a biting wind that swept through the dark streets of New York. Under the dim glow of streetlights, a woman walked slowly, cradling a baby in her arms. She was well-dressed, her makeup still flawless despite the lateness of the hour. Even in the shadows, one could tell she was a strikingly beautiful woman.The child in her arms was unusually quiet, not frightened by the howling wind, as if sensing the inevitable abandonment looming ahead. Perhaps, in its innocent way, the baby was trying to be good, trying not to upset the mother who was about to leave it behind. Wide, curious eyes gazed up at the world, unaffected by the chill in the air.At this hour, New York’s streets were nearly deserted, especially on such a cold night. Most houses had their doors tightly shut, leaving only the occasional glow of lights spilling out onto the pavement. The woman walked aimlessly, as though searching for something—or perhaps stalling for time.At the e