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
Once it was time, Liesel and Elijah went to pick up Xavier at the villa. Xavier was startled for a moment after noticing Liesel's delicate makeup before looking away uncomfortably. He asked, "Why didn't you sit in the wheelchair? Don't be so stubborn if you haven't fully recovered.""I'm almost fully recovered." Liesel had just started explaining when Xavier turned to look at Elijah. "Where's her wheelchair?"Elijah deliberately chuckled at that moment, seeming amused at the sight of Xavier taking care of Liesel. Elijah merely shrugged and acted innocent after Liesel cast him a fierce glare. It went without saying that Elijah had told Xavier. Since he couldn't convince Liesel, he had secretly contacted Xavier. He had an idea that Liesel would not object to Xavier.Men were such scoundrels. Elijah leisurely paced back and forth beside Liesel at that moment and sighed. "Oh, someone's only willing to listen to Xavier and not me."Liesel stepped on Elijah's foot hard in revenge,
Helena had very high hopes for Xavier. Her words "I encourage you to take your future into your own hands and forge your path to greatness" had fully captured the hopes she had for him. Helena hoped that Xavier would become Alden University's top student.Xavier looked up at Helena. Although she was getting older, she still remained alert. She always had been gentle and elegant. He often received help from her while living with the Scotts for many years. In fact, Helena also proposed for the highest scorer to receive a scholarship so Xavier could receive the funds.After learning what happened to the Scotts, Helena changed the scholarship to fully exempt Xavier from paying the school fees. She also supplied free lunches and textbooks because she couldn't bear to see Xavier's talents go to waste. Xavier glanced at Helena with a determined expression before bowing. Helena smiled in relief. "Go ahead. Lead the other students and take the oath together to welcome the upcoming col
Reuben handed Liesel a red-covered envelope, but his expression was strange as he did so. Was there something hidden in the letter?Liesel opened it, and her eyes twitched as she read the few words written inside. "What is this?"The writing looked like a tangled mess of worms twisted together into a few sentences. It wasn't just ugly—it was excessively so.Reuben fell silent for a moment. "It's not that hard to read."Liesel handed the letter back to him. Her gesture clearly said, "If it's so easy, you read it."Reuben's face remained as calm as ever. "Liesel..." He simply said her name before stopping."It's not important. What matters is that the only person who can match Howard's intellect and keep up with his progress is you. Since he wants to meet you and the authorities want you to be involved, I hope you can take this collaboration seriously, Ms. Sharp."He said it wasn't important, but actually, he just couldn't read Howard's alien handwriting.Liesel clicked her tongu
Belinda's verbal attacks only made Liesel realize one thing—Belinda wasn't a particularly smart person.Once truly intelligent people understood their opponent's cards, they wouldn't provoke them so recklessly, without considering the family's reputation or the consequences of their actions.It was selfish, cold-hearted, immature, and laughable.Liesel was already pushing Elijah's wheelchair out of the Turner residence's living room when Reuben nodded slightly at Nathan. His commanding gaze swept over Belinda as he murmured, "The younger generation of the Turner family needs to be properly taught manners."With that, Reuben left with the special forces.Glaring at their retreating backs, Belinda ground her teeth, but her expression was one of desolation.She could feel the vast distance between her and Liesel. She was unwilling to accept her defeat. She wouldn't just hand Elijah over to Liesel. One day, she would take Elijah back, no matter what.Liesel remained unaware of Belin
But since Heather had chosen her lover over her children when she was forced to make that choice, she was doomed to carry that guilt for the rest of her life.She had made her choice, and it was a mistake. Maybe it would be easier if she truly believed she was heartless.Since Liesel and Xavier were her and Jason's children, they had to be exceptional. Only then could they truly live up to their brilliant bloodline.Heather arrived at the research facility and looked at the man lying quietly on the bed, who was slowly recovering. Crouching on the cold floor, she gently held his hand and softly rubbed it."Jay, do you think I've made a mistake?"There was no response.Only the soft whisper of the breeze could be heard. Though it was the height of summer, the air felt unnervingly cold.Heather gazed at Jason, who was still trapped in his deep slumber."Jay, when you wake up, we'll go back to Ashthorne. They may not accept me, but they'll accept you. We can… go home together."Sh
After Jason's incident, Reuben had once asked Heather for a chance to pursue her. Without a second thought, she rejected him and introduced him to countless rich young women.But Reuben had remained single all this time. He had no lover, no family, and only a few adopted children he had raised.Heather could tell from his gaze that he still harbored some hope.Smiling, she said, "Reuben, if you're so interested in our news, why don't you keep an eye on Liesel? She's my daughter, after all. I'll contact her eventually, won't I?"When it came to people she didn't care for, she was always ruthless.She casually shifted the problem she considered troublesome onto Liesel. Her smile returned, and she looked at Liesel intently, as if waiting for her response."Are you waiting for my reaction?" Liesel asked. "I've always found myself in so many dangerous situations with Elijah. I'm more than happy if more bodyguards sent by the authorities come along. Thank you."There was nothing aroun
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