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
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
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
"Elijah, do you know how upset I was?" Liesel asked.Elijah's injuries were severe. His entire body was battered. Even his strikingly handsome face bore scars. His right arm was broken, and his chest, back, and legs were covered in countless wounds.Anyone else would have clung to Liesel like a lifeline, terrified that she would abandon them. But Elijah just wanted to push her away."What can I say, Lili?" Elijah's tone carried a hint of helplessness. "It feels like whatever I say now will just be wrong. Do you want to judge me? You're welcome to do so.""I just don't understand." Liesel held his hand. Her grip was gentle as if afraid of causing him more pain. "What do you take me for? What do you take yourself for?"This world has so many people suffering because they lack money or power. But we have both. You're incredibly hot, and you're standing at the pinnacle of society. So what if your legs are injured? There are countless people worse off than you. Why let this drag you do
"You could at least do something to earn my respect," Liesel said. "You've injured your legs, and you acted like it's the end of the world. It's not like you've lost your manhood. And even if you did, we can always have a platonic relationship. Anything works when the person is right."Do you hear me, Elijah? Love between a man and a woman does involve physical attraction and intimacy, but that's not all of it. True love comes from the resonance between two souls, from the empathy and connection they share."Even as she spoke, her words circled back to the real issue. She was still angry at Elijah for giving up on himself.Elijah's voice was hoarse as he responded, "I just can't bear it, Lili. You're so wonderful. Have you ever seen the kind of twilight where the entire sky is bathed in warm orange hues, and stars begin to twinkle faintly at the horizon?"That kind of twilight feels like it bridges heaven and earth. I've been to many places in my life, but that twilight was the onl
Liesel Sharp had just unlocked her phone while waiting for her IV drip to be done when she received a message from her best friend, Chelsea Walden. "Jacob's back."She faltered. She and Jacob Ford had barely spoken throughout their month-long cold war, so she had no idea he was back.Soon, she received another message. "He's brought a young woman back with him."A photo had been sent with the message. The young woman in the photo resembled Liesel a little—she was Natalie Sharp, Liesel's younger half-sister. She'd been raised in the countryside.Chelsea continued, "The Sharp family is throwing them a welcome-back party. Do you want to crash it, Lili?"She knew what Liesel was like. Liesel would give Jacob a taste of his own medicine if he dared to do anything to her. There was even a chance she would set the Sharp residence on fire.Liesel checked her IV bag. She'd had a high fever for three days now, and the back of her hand was swollen from the constant IV drips she'd been on. S
Liesel had taken a week of sick leave. She'd only learned about the transfer when returning to work.A colleague gossiped with her, sounding pointed as they said, "I bet you still don't know this, Ms. Sharp. We have a new secretary whose last name is also Sharp. It looks like there's something special about her."Liesel didn't expect to hear that. Had Jacob actually given Natalie a job by his side?Soon, Jacob summoned Liesel to the CEO's office. When she entered and stood before him, he looked at her indifferently. "Since you want to stay at the company, continuing to hold the position of my personal secretary isn't appropriate."The project department manager was transferred to a branch company, leaving a vacancy there. The timing is just right."Liesel knew very well that Jacob had always been clear-headed. He would never allow her to cause Natalie any discomfort or disappointment. Rather than saying the transfer was his recognition of Liesel's abilities, it would be more accur
Liesel's heart twinged slightly, but she said calmly, "I reminded Ms. Natalie about the stock handover. The office has surveillance cameras. You can check the footage if you don't believe me, Mr. Ford."Natalie paled. Tears welled in her eyes, and she said pitifully, "I-I probably didn't hear you because my mind wandered. That's why I made such a mistake."Liesel ignored her. "We can't let Hardin Group manipulate us for stocks worth millions of dollars. I'll handle this, but the company also has rules to uphold. Natalie will need to be reprimanded accordingly."She turned and left the office to check on the stocks. Now that they'd already been accepted, from a legal perspective, Ford Corporation had no choice but to swallow its woes and live with the situation.Still, there was hope for this. Uriah Hardin, the third son of the Hardin family, managed Hardin Group. However, his brother, Elijah Hardin, was the second son and favored by his family. He also wanted to usurp Uriah's posit
"You could at least do something to earn my respect," Liesel said. "You've injured your legs, and you acted like it's the end of the world. It's not like you've lost your manhood. And even if you did, we can always have a platonic relationship. Anything works when the person is right."Do you hear me, Elijah? Love between a man and a woman does involve physical attraction and intimacy, but that's not all of it. True love comes from the resonance between two souls, from the empathy and connection they share."Even as she spoke, her words circled back to the real issue. She was still angry at Elijah for giving up on himself.Elijah's voice was hoarse as he responded, "I just can't bear it, Lili. You're so wonderful. Have you ever seen the kind of twilight where the entire sky is bathed in warm orange hues, and stars begin to twinkle faintly at the horizon?"That kind of twilight feels like it bridges heaven and earth. I've been to many places in my life, but that twilight was the onl
"Elijah, do you know how upset I was?" Liesel asked.Elijah's injuries were severe. His entire body was battered. Even his strikingly handsome face bore scars. His right arm was broken, and his chest, back, and legs were covered in countless wounds.Anyone else would have clung to Liesel like a lifeline, terrified that she would abandon them. But Elijah just wanted to push her away."What can I say, Lili?" Elijah's tone carried a hint of helplessness. "It feels like whatever I say now will just be wrong. Do you want to judge me? You're welcome to do so.""I just don't understand." Liesel held his hand. Her grip was gentle as if afraid of causing him more pain. "What do you take me for? What do you take yourself for?"This world has so many people suffering because they lack money or power. But we have both. You're incredibly hot, and you're standing at the pinnacle of society. So what if your legs are injured? There are countless people worse off than you. Why let this drag you do
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