Liesel noticed that Austin and Alisha grew closer, and her interest in Austin reignited. She visited the cafeteria almost every day to observe Austin's every move.It was only during meals that Howard's researchers were able to leave their labs and meet with employees from the research department.The cafeteria became a place for Austin and Alisha's dates.Alisha seemed to have broken up with her boyfriend. For a while, she appeared very downcast. Austin made efforts at the table to lighten the mood. He would tell jokes and share stories and amusing anecdotes from work to help Alisha move past the darkness.The two grew closer, often appearing together.But in just half a month, they drifted apart. When they met, they didn't greet each other. They merely walked past each other as if they were strangers.Had they fallen out?Liesel didn't think the answer she saw was the full truth. The more they tried to avoid suspicion, the deeper their relationship might have been behind close
Jeffrey's lips were dry, and fear was evident in his eyes. "No... I can't... I can't do that... They can't insult Heather..."Despite everything, he still refused to utter a single word against Heather.Natalie trembled with rage."You're the evil one all this time, and now you're pretending to be romantic? You love Heather, but did she love you? She betrayed you a long time ago! She never loved you!"She tried to frame you! Isn't that what you said? If it weren't for her plot, you wouldn't have ended up in bed with my mom, and I wouldn't even exist! Heather's the truly vile and malicious one! She ruined all our lives! She's the real sinner!"It was all Heather's fault.If not for Heather, her mother wouldn't have become a mistress, and she wouldn't have been an illegitimate child. It was all because of Heather that she could never hold her head high in life."Shut up! Don't talk about her like that!"Jeffrey's face twisted in fury as he slapped Natalie hard across the face. "S
Natalie continued, "He just didn't want to raise a child who isn't his own flesh and blood. Is that a crime? Years ago, Zack was an upstanding teacher. Who could've predicted he'd later become a gambling addict? Who would've known that he'd do those despicable things?"My dad tried his best to find Xavier a better place. He's already done more than enough. It's unreasonable to expect him to keep caring for the disgrace left behind by his deceased wife for over a decade. Show me a man who would do that.""The ones in the wrong are the Scotts, not my dad!"The reporters were stunned.Nobody had expected this. How did Heather get involved?"H-Heather wouldn't do something like that. From what I heard, Xavier was born after Heather and Jeffrey divorced. Besides, Jeffrey cheated on Heather. Otherwise, how do you explain your existence as a love child?"Some reporters, who were fans of Heather, turned their cameras on Natalie. They challenged her accusations with fierce determination.
The internet buzzed with outrage and intrigue."Heather is Liesel's mother. Heather Mallone is the woman who first proposed the research into 3D holography at Draskia. She was the one who had her notebook sold for an insane price recently and had won design awards abroad."The daughter of the Mallone family, raised as the heiress, could never be a weakling. I didn't believe for a second she was ever humiliated into suicide!"Another netizen commented, "Exactly! That's Heather we're talking about! Who would dare betray a woman like her? Do you know how ruthless she was in the business world? She could destroy your company with a single word! Liesel may seem harsh, but compared to Heather, Liesel is soft-hearted!""Who does Jeffrey think he is to betray Heather? If he tried, she'd castrate him in a heartbeat. I totally believe this!"This was related to the Sharp family, and those who had been paying attention to it were all from high society. The scandal had dragged too many people
Jeffrey had a heart attack at home out of sheer anger. After he took his medication and regained consciousness, the first thing he did was point at Natalie and accuse her."Why did you say that? You better explain yourself! It was your mom who seduced me! Heather had nothing to do with this!" he spat.Natalie merely shoved him aside and scoffed coldly."Even now, you're still worried about Heather's reputation? You're so blinded by love for her that you can't see she doesn't care about you at all! My mom may have had designs on you, but if it wasn't for Heather's scheming, you two would never have ended up in bed together!""That still doesn't—"Natalie shoved her phone in front of Jeffrey. "Take a good look. It's Xavier being attacked right now, not your precious Heather!"Hearing those words, Jeffrey finally fell silent.As her gaze fixed on him, she clenched her teeth tightly in frustration. Her anger bubbled over, and once again, she hired online trolls to flood the internet
The Heather Mallone Jeffrey had married was actually someone with the same name. In other words, everyone had been played by Heather.From the beginning to the end, there had never been a real marriage between Heather and Jeffrey. She only used him for her own benefit.The post showed a wedding photo and certificate of marriage between Jeffrey and another woman named Heather Mallone.The foreign company offered a brief explanation, but it was obvious what they meant.It was nothing more than a warning to certain people that Xavier and Liesel were not Jeffrey's children. They were Heather's bloodline and had no connection to the Sharp family.Jeffrey's infidelity was true as well. He had an affair with Natalie's mother, Angeline Herrera, during his marriage to the other Heather. And that was how Natalie came into the picture.Jeffrey was the only one who had cheated.Natalie felt a wave of dizziness.How could this be? How could this happen? Why would Heather do this?Heather's
"Looks like Jeffrey thinks way too highly of himself. He really thought he was Heather's husband. No wonder he's got such a grudge against Xavier. What a joke! Doesn't he ever look in the mirror and wonder if he's even worthy of Heather's affection?"These were the mocking comments from people in the circle who had seen Heather before.Some younger folks, not understanding why Heather could stir such a huge uproar in the network, asked, "What makes Heather so special?"Before they even knew it, an old photo from a decade ago surfaced.It was a black-and-white picture. But the moment anyone looked at it, their eyes would be drawn to the person in the center, as if her presence alone illuminated the entire space.She wore a simple black evening dress, but she shone like the brightest star in the night sky. The dress perfectly hugged her graceful figure, and her face was like something out of a masterful painting. Her beauty was unforgettable.Her eyebrows were like strokes of art,
"My dad has terminal colon cancer, and he's in so much pain every night he can't sleep. The chemotherapy isn't helping. The doctors have told me to take him home to spend his final days with family."My dad is the most respected person in my life. I can't live without him. I've spent all our family's savings just to try to keep him alive. Hardin Group, I beg you to give my dad a chance."The official Hardin Group Twitter was flooded with similar messages from families of cancer patients, all pleading for a chance at life for their loved ones.Meanwhile, in a rundown house in the remote Crullfeld region, a young man sat at a simple, tidy table while staring intently at the latest Hardin Group tweet on his phone. Tears threatened to fall from his eyes."Damian, you can be saved! You can be saved! Hardin Group has developed a real anticancer drug, and they're looking for volunteers for the trial. You'll surely get better if you take this medicine!"The old house was sparsely decorate
"You know how it is. It's always hard to strike a deal between two smart people."Charles laughed.He knew that when Liesel suggested a partnership with Ford Corporation to manufacture anti-cancer drugs, it was actually a huge trap.Liesel and Howard were both researchers. Who could say for sure that after they gave Ford Corporation the drug formula, they wouldn't refine the drug further and make something even more effective?Considering Liesel's and Howard's intelligence, there would undoubtedly be a more potent version of the drug. However, Liesel would never choose to continue working together with Ford Corporation. Therefore, he had decided to ask for a mile. He had asked to collaborate on the artificial intelligence project.It wasn't that he was being greedy.It was because Ford Corporation wasn't the same as it had been a year ago. He had to tread very carefully to avoid falling for someone's scheme again.Without Liesel and Drew, there were many tasks that only he and
"Do you not want to hug?" Liesel cocked her head at him. "Don't think I don't know you. I bet you already wanted to kiss me and hold me the moment you spotted Jacob. Otherwise, you wouldn't have tightened your arms around me."Hadn't Elijah done that to send Jacob a message that Liesel belonged to him?Having been together for so long, there wasn't anything that she didn't understand about him."In that case, thank you for giving me a chance and playing along." Since he couldn't think of an excuse, he just came clean. There was even a look of amusement on his face.He pulled her into his arms affectionately. She also hugged him back, like she was a child staking her territory."Should we add some more spice and kiss?"This was really becoming more and more provocative.Why not?A smile appeared on Elijah's face, as if he was saying to her, "Bring it on."And she did. She peppered Elijah's face with continuous pecks. Then, she yanked on his collar, like she was claiming him as
From a short distance away, Jacob could see Elijah's arm curled around Liesel's tiny waist. She seemed very dependent on him as she lay in his arms listlessly. It was a stark contrast to the way she behaved in public with other people.Whether it was with reporters or business partners, she always seemed like a steady pillar of strength. She was graceful and calm, but there was a hidden sharpness within her.Anyone who interacted with her could feel the hidden threat that was lurking inside of her.Yet, the Liesel now seemed to have shed all the sharp spikes on her body, revealing only the soft insides. She appeared gentle and submissive… Or rather, she only showed this side of her to her lover.He should have been the one to get all of this.He should have been her lover.He was the one who'd thrown all of this away. All he could do was watch as Elijah purposely pissed him off.He was a man too. Of course, he knew that Elijah was doing it on purpose.Of course, he resented Eli
Elijah seized Liesel's wrists while chuckling coldly. "So what if you're someone's wife? If I wanted you, all I'd have to do is tell him. Then, he'd definitely have someone clean you up nicely and send you straight into my bed."He lifted her chin with his finger. "Do you think that your husband is a decent man? Do you think that he'd disobey me for you?"Liesel swallowed. She was enraptured by the look in Elijah's eyes right now.He nibbled on her ear while patting her panicked and pale face. "If you're obedient, I'll treat you well. If you're unwilling to play along and make me happy, I'll kill your husband and lock you up in my home. You'll never see the light of day again."Stripping off her clothes, Liesel bit his earlobe and whispered, "It's such a waste that you didn't go into the acting industry with Chelsea."Elijah chuckled quietly, letting her hands roam all over him. They left a trail of fire in their wake. When he was all riled up and ready to go, Liesel suddenly hugg
Liesel left.Charles gazed at the still-warm cup of tea on the table. There was a chilling look in his eyes.This was one of the times he'd made the wrong move.After walking out of Charles' office, Liesel wasn't surprised to see Jacob. However, she didn't even stop and simply walked out.He trailed after her leisurely until she was nearly out of Ford Corporation. Just as he was about to call out to her, he heard a cheerful, gentle voice calling her name."Lili, I'm here to pick you up." Jacob's eyes darkened. When he looked up, he saw Elijah sitting in a wheelchair and smiling at Liesel.Liesel didn't mind at all that he was a cripple. With a grin on her face, she crouched down next to him. Then, she grabbed his hand and placed it against her cheek.Jacob's chest clenched when he saw that. It felt like arrows piercing his heart.Liesel could still feel Jacob's eyes on her, but she didn't care. She even pecked Elijah lightly on the lips in front of Jacob. Then, while pushing
"Charles, even though we worked together for three years, you still don't understand me at all."Liesel tapped her fingers against the desk. While it was quiet, it also sounded indescribably threatening."Have you not seen what happened to Dash?"If someone tries to snatch something from me, not only will I make their wishes come true, but I'll also make them pay the price."You can only take what I give you. If you insist on snatching what I'm unwilling to give… then you will find out the price you'll have to pay."She grinned, but it carried an obvious iciness.Dash was indeed the best example.He had tried to snatch collaboration opportunities from her, so she squashed him. And that wasn't all. She also bought his land and assets from him for dirt cheap.Dash tried to steal her data and establish his own vehicle manufacturing plant in Draskia, so she simply chased him and all his businesses out of Draskia.Anyone who tried to plot against her and steal from her suffered hor
"If you have something that even Jacob doesn't, you must be very loyal to him.""Thanks for the compliment." Charles chuckled quietly. "Of course, I am loyal to Mr. Ford. It's because I'm loyal to Mr. Ford that I kept the evidence just in case."If Matthew decided to betray Mr. Ford one day, then I could use this to retaliate against him. After all, you also know that Matthew is far from a nice person."Jacob placed a lot of importance on Matthew because his parents had passed away early, so he'd been raised by Matthew and Vincent since he was younger. He ended up viewing Matthew as somewhat of a father figure. His love for his family had ended up blinding him, making him unwilling to bring harm to Matthew.However, Charles was different. He didn't have any significant feelings toward Matthew. He only cared about protecting Jacob's interests.Matthew was a selfish person who only cared about his own interests. This was why Charles had gone against Jacob's orders and kept the evi
If it had been Elijah who'd done this, what would Liesel have done?Could she still be so righteous?However, Jacob's words only made her stifle a laugh. Without even turning around, she said sardonically, "If Elijah was this kind of person, then I would never have gotten together with him."Whether it comes to family or lovers, first of all, they should have the right principles. They should know what they should or shouldn't do."Even a child can tell what's right from wrong, but an adult like Matthew doesn't know where to draw the line. Jacob, one day he will pay the price for everything that he's done."In the end, Jacob didn't stop her from leaving.He couldn't help but clench his fists. His eyes darkened.Liesel had always been strongly opposed to evil. Making things worse, Drew was the scapegoat for Matthew's misdeeds this time.Over the years, Jacob had already gotten Matthew out of trouble countless times. He was getting tired of it.He really wanted to call out to Li
Natalie wanted to destroy Ford Corporation as soon as possible.Once there was a new leader in Ford Corporation, would Jacob still be so arrogant?Natalie laughed coldly. Then, she remembered the words she heard in the hospital, and her expression frosted over.She thought that since she was already in the same boat as Edward, and that Edward might become the future leader of Ford Corporation, she could go for him instead.After all, Edward was tall and handsome. In her eyes, he wasn't inferior to Jacob at all.However, she never thought… that Edward already had a lover, and that it was his sister, Ophelia, of all people.Till today, she still remembered how that bitch, Ophelia, had once insulted her because of her background. To defend Liesel, Ophelia had mocked her for being a bastard child.How come Ophelia deserved to be with Edward? They were siblings! Even if they weren't related by blood, they had still grown up as brother and sister. Weren't they afraid of getting expose