As soon as Matthew finished speaking, he saw Ophelia poke her head through the door. Her innocent gaze was adorable as she beamed. At that moment, Matthew felt as if Ophelia had washed away all the darkness within him. He smiled while waving at her. Her eyes lit up even more, and she rushed toward him."Dad! Dad! Dad!" Her voice sounded sweet as she called him a few times. Upon hearing her tone, he knew she had something to ask of him. "Tell me what you want. When have I ever said no to you?" Matthew always gave in to Ophelia. Her smile grew wider. "Mr. Matthew Ford, I have something very crucial to tell you. I may start dating soon."Matthew was never really strict as a father to Ophelia. To her, not only was he her father, but he was one of her best friends that she could talk anything about. In the past, she might have sought Liesel out and chatted about all this with her. Now that Liesel had divorced Jacob, and Elijah didn't seem to like any of the Fords, Ophelia didn't w
The financial summit was happening soon and would be held at Ashthorne this time. Although the financial summit had not officially commenced, it was scheduled to be hosted at Ashthorne's stadium.Many were placing bets on several large companies that were drawing attention for the financial summit this time. The speculators were guessing who would emerge as the financial summit's biggest winner.The companies mentioned the most were Hardin Group, Shifter Corporation, and Lark Corporation. Ford Corporation wasn't brought up because Liesel no longer worked there. On the other hand, Shifter Corporation got a mention because of Liesel's involvement.Liesel alone had caused chaos in the fight this time. As for Shifter Corporation, it remained consistently at the front. While it had expanded overseas in the past, the company successfully shifted its headquarters back to the country over the past two years.Since Shifter Corporation was a multinational corporation, it had far more conne
These perpetrators seemed to be fully prepared. They had intentionally made plans to target Liesel and Elijah. More specifically, the attack seemed to be aimed at Hardin Group.The financial summit was happening very soon. Who would benefit from the current scandal? The other businesses. Hardin Group was finally in trouble, so larger companies were taking turns to ruin it. Even smaller corporations were secretly targeting Hardin Group, hoping to benefit a little from the situation.Hardin Group's stock prices were starting to become affected and began to drop.Liesel was still weak since she hadn't made a full recovery. Her gaze darkened as she looked at the sarcastic remarks about her on the trending topics. Was everyone about to start criticizing her in public? The chaotic situation made it seem like someone was controlling this game of chess from behind the scenes. Who was the true mastermind? Who would benefit from all this?It seemed like someone familiar with Liesel h
Liesel massaged her temples while speaking lightly. "I never planned to expose or announce anything related to holography and 3D matters at a time like this. It's a shame that Matthew dug himself into a hole."Before Elijah could ask what Liesel was about to post, she was already speedily typing out large chunks of code on the computer screen. She quickly edited a video before sharing it on Twitter with a caption. "Hardin Group's holographic era is almost here. Are you ready?"It was a trap within a trap. While Matthew wanted to reap all the benefits, he should consider whether Liesel was willing to play this game. What did Matthew care about the most? It was holography. He prioritized the many years of holography research more than Ford Corporation and Hardin Group. Liesel simply wanted Matthew to have a taste of defeat and failure.Matthew wanted to research holography, so Liesel wanted to succeed before he did. She wanted him to know how far apart they were. Matthew wante
"If all this is real, Liesel has truly paved the way for the holographic era.""Does anyone recall Liesel cheating during her marriage? Have you guys forgotten about her marriage to Jacob?" Someone intentionally brought up Liesel's private life at that moment. Another netizen retorted immediately. "Are you crazy? Do you even know whether Liesel even cheated during her marriage?"These paparazzi and gossip sites keep blabbering about her scandal, but did you hear anyone from Ford Corporation say a word? If Liesel really did have an affair with Elijah during her marriage to Jacob, surely she would have been fired two months ago!"Why would they still act so friendly on Twitter? Someone's clearly trying to start a business war after learning that Liesel has been researching holography. "Can't you see that the financial summit's about to start soon? Liesel and Elijah are presenting Hardin Group. Without Hardin Group, the other businesses will have one less major competitor, and they
"Liesel!" All of Matthew's plans had gone to waste because of Liesel's retaliation. Matthew wanted to ruin Ford Corporation and Hardin Group. He even plotted against Liesel, who saw through his scheme. That was why she had ruined his schemes right away. "You're truly like your mother! So troublesome!" Although Heather was dead, Matthew couldn't even live peacefully. Meanwhile, Liesel was alive, ruining his defenses in every way. He had no other way out. Fine. Are you insisting on playing the game, Liesel? Matthew's expression darkened. He clenched his fists and slammed them on the table. Liesel couldn't blame him for what was about to happen. From today onward, Matthew planned to ruin everything Liesel wanted and anyone she wished to protect.After all, Liesel wanted to play with fire. She liked Elijah and cared for Xavier. Hence, Matthew would start things off by destroying them.He wanted Liesel to end up the same way Heather did. She wanted her to lose her loved ones
Heather exhaled lightly while caressing Jason's hand very gently. "Jay, you're going to lose all your muscles if you don't wake up anytime soon."She placed his hand against her own cheek. "Jay, you responded to me today, didn't you? Since you already responded, you should wake up as soon as possible."Heather's voice was very soft. "I'm not a good mother, but Lili and Xavier need a proper father. They're waiting for you to wake up."Heather always knew very well that she was a cold-hearted person. She had invested all her feelings in Jason. If her research for holography was successful, she was determined to trigger Jason into waking up. If the research failed, she would accompany Jason forever while he remained in a coma. Liesel and Xavier were the last of Jason's bloodline. Did Heather care about Liesel and Xavier? Of course, she did, but her feelings for them were just a drop in the ocean compared to how she felt for Jason.That was why Heather said Liesel and Xavier need
Based on Xavier's personality, Liesel assumed he would leave after the college exam. He would move out to his own villa once grown up. "Of course, I'll be there. Seeing how outstanding you are, the headmaster would probably ask you to go onstage and give a speech. I'll be watching you carefully." Liesel's voice sounded playful.Xavier seemed unsure how to continue the conversation with Liesel. He hummed in response before ending the call.Elijah was seated on the couch in the ward while going through his documents. He adjusted his glasses. "Was that a call from Xavier?"Liesel nodded. "He invited me to attend his graduation ceremony."Things had been far too busy lately, and Liesel often found herself in hot water. Hence, she felt much better after receiving a call from Xavier. "Do you think I should prepare a gift for him? What should I give to him? A pen?" Before Liesel could finish speaking, Elijah massaged his temples before speaking in a teasing tone."Babe, have you forg
The other faction, the conservatives, insisted on waiting for Jason to wake up.However, those researchers were protected by the government. Without Jason, they had no real way to communicate with these researchers.They were close to backing down.That was when Heather hacked into the surveillance system. She knew those lunatics had drawn blood from Jason, and some even went so far as to drink it, all in the name of boosting their intelligence.They were insane."When I took Jay, they'd already drawn a thousand milliliters of blood from him. How cruel can you be? You were just hoping he'd die for the sake of your research. If I hadn't taken Jay, he would've been dead. And now you have the nerve to lecture me, accusing me of committing a crime?""If that's the case, haven't those researchers and everyone who was involved in this all violated the law? Can't I sue them, too?"Heather scoffed. "Don't force me to change my nationality and take this to the international courts. If it
Liesel was not someone who could be defeated easily.She was dangerous and powerful. Even in the pursuit of love, she never truly gave up on her own goals. She might feel pain from betrayal, but the next moment, she would rise again.No one could truly bring her down. She would always love herself.If someone tried to make her a pawn, she would destroy the entire game. She would always be the one in control, manipulating the game, never the one being manipulated.Not by Matthew, and certainly not by Heather.The hall was silent. All eyes were on the confrontation between mother and daughter. Everyone expected Heather, with her vast experience, to completely overpower Liesel. But that wasn't the case. Liesel not only stood firm, but she seemed to be gaining the upper hand.Nathan's gaze darkened as he observed Liesel. A monster had given birth to another monster.Meanwhile, Heather could see a line of high-ranking individuals standing behind Liesel on the screen. They were all th
Heather remained unnervingly calm, as if the life at stake was nothing more than a figurine to her."You're terrifying," Liesel said as she looked at Heather. "Actually, there's no real connection between us. My mom died more than a decade ago. She was driven to cut her wrists due to my dad's actions."She wasn't some strong, dangerous woman who could scare people in the business world. She was a weak, pitiful woman who couldn't protect her children. She was so powerless and incapable that she was driven to her death. My mom is long gone."Liesel spoke slowly. Each word was clear enough for Heather to understand.But Heather didn't grow angry. She simply smiled and spoke in a calm, almost soothing tone, "I gave birth to you, Liesel. Your exceptional genes come from me. That's an irrefutable fact. Whether I'm alive or dead, you will always be Heather Mallone's daughter."Her words wrapped around Liesel like an unbreakable chain. Yes, she would always be Heather's daughter.It was
Heather could do everything and overthrow anything for Jason. Liesel was able to do the same for Elijah. Any man who had their love could obtain everything.Liesel was doing her best to ignore Elijah's legs. She forced herself to not look at his crippled legs. "I'll settle the score with you over a few things once we're home." Liesel glanced at Elijah with a gentle gaze. He sighed helplessly. "I'm already like this."Liesel merely held his fingertips before slowly getting to her feet. Since Elijah was behind her, she stood up as if she wanted to block Elijah from view. "Ms. Mallone, long time no see." Everyone knew that Liesel was drop-dead gorgeous. However, it was Heather's first time officially meeting the adult Liesel via video call. Liesel was far similar to who Heather used to be. Although they had different demeanors, Liesel could be considered an exact copy of Heather. Despite her gentle appearance, Heather gave off a venomous demeanor. But Liesel was different. S
"Liesel has all this because of me." Heather beamed. "So, I was the one who created her. What gave you the right to ask me to remain in the shadows?"You want the creator to step aside for a figurine souvenir? Have you heard of such a thing?" Heather did not refer to herself as Liesel's mother. She referred to their relationship as a creator and her figurine souvenir. She clearly did not love Liesel.Elijah's gaze grew colder. Meanwhile, everyone present was shocked at Heather's words. Before Elijah could respond at all, someone already pushed open the door to the Turner residence's living room. Since the sound was quite loud, everyone turned to look. Instead, they saw Liesel, who truly resembled Heather. After Liesel pushed open the door, two tall, handsome men followed her inside. One man had short black hair, seeming gentle and refined. The other had long silver hair with a rugged appearance. They stood beside her as if they were her bodyguards. Behind the trio were numero
Heather truly lived up to her name. She was always keeping an eye on the Turners in Ashthorne. Otherwise, how would she coincidentally pop up in a video chat as soon as Elijah's fingertips brushed against the keyboard? The Turner family's internet had firewalls, but Heather had easily breached them. That alone was enough for anyone to understand what was so terrifying about her. Nathan stared at the screen with a darkened gaze, meeting Heather's delighted gaze. "Mr. Turner Senior, it's been a long time."Nathan's eyes clouded over. "It indeed has been a long time. Heather, what is the purpose of doing all this?"Heather smirked leisurely. "I thought you'd be happy to see me alive. Are you really unable to guess why? Seems like you've truly aged."Was Nathan unable to guess what she was up to? Of course, he could. As long as Jason was still alive, Heather would continue living. There was only one possibility for Heather to show up now. Jason was about to recover."Mr. Turner S
But Heather did not take Liesel and Xavier with her and left them behind instead. She even left Liesel with a nightmare she set up. Heather implied to Liesel that she was forced to commit suicide and wanted her to raise Xavier. She also wanted Liesel to snatch everything that belonged to the Mallones. Aside from nightmares, what else did Heather even leave for Liesel? That faint motherly love? Did Heather ever truly love Liesel?Heather invested all her love in Jason. She was a qualified lover, but she would never be a certified mother. That was why Liesel guessed Heather could be still alive. But even if that was true, Heather was truly dead to Liesel.At that moment, Elijah even used his darkest side to understand Heather. She might have shown up now because she would be returning to Draskia soon.Heather didn't just lend a hand now because the Turners were powerful. It was possible she wanted to present herself favorably to Liesel. Heather simply wanted Liesel to know tha
"If Heather were dead, we might be able to help you do something about Elijah. But since she's still alive, do you really want us to retaliate against her and Liesel?" Nathan's bleary gaze was filled with clear disdain. "Belinda, are you even worth it?" Belinda faltered. "But… But we Turners have always been on the good side. We haven't done anything bad.""Is that so?" Nathan asked flatly. "If we Turners don't have any skeletons in the closet, why is Elijah at our place? Liesel should have already taken him back by now."Belinda had no idea how to retort. "No one is truly innocent. What you consider clean is what others want you to see. You can even resort to kidnapping someone. Do you really think we're innocent?" Nathan's voice became more frail. "If Jason was still around, Heather would definitely protect the Turner family and never consider us enemies. But since he's not here and you're bullying her daughter and future son-in-law, she will destroy you and our family."It
Belinda finally came across Heather's best achievements. Almost 20 local and multinational businesses in Draskia wanted to take over the Mallone family's business and assets. Some influential figures in the country even gave these companies some benefits.They had their eyes on the Mallone family because the family only had William Mallone, who was gravely ill and was on the verge of death, and a woman called Heather. The companies wanted to take over all of the Mallone family's assets. Since they believed a woman like Heather couldn't keep the family business running, they teamed up to attack her.But what happened in the end?The Mallone family was barely scathed in the corporate fight. Thanks to Heather's research, the company's stock prices grew by a few percentage points. On the other hand, the companies that colluded to go after the Mallone family's business had suffered major losses. But that wasn't all. Heather had taken revenge on anyone who joined in the corporate si