Once my father exposed Max's affair with Professor Xander, it not only jeopardized his chances of graduating, but also subjected his admission to the PhD program to re-examination. Even if he had been initially accepted based on his own merits, the scandal would cast doubt on his entire academic career.Simultaneously, Professor Xander would face dismissal for abusing her position, which would be a major disgrace for Johnsonville University.It's no surprise that shortly after, Max graduated with his PhD and Professor Xander resigned. No one knew where she went.Internally, I was shocked by Max's despicable actions, far worse than anything I had imagined. He was a completely different person from the bright, optimistic boy I once knew. It was as if he had become a stranger, someone utterly repugnant.I sneered, "Have you confessed all of this to the police?""Yes, I have. But what difference does it make? My crimes have already been determined. Talking more won't change anything,"
Max is a smart person. A subtle suggestion was all it took for him to connect the dots. His face turned pale, and his eyes reflected a whirlwind of disbelief, sudden realization, and shock.The range of emotions in his eyes was truly captivating.In that moment, I felt a surge of satisfaction, as if justice was being served.Without warning, Max tightly gripped the bars, his eyes bloodshot, and shouted, "Jen, you're lying! You're lying to me! Cindy couldn't have just used me!"The guard swiftly intervened, pulling Max back and instructing him to sit down quietly. He warned that if Max didn't comply, the visit would be cut short."Max, please calm down. I came here to tell you the truth. After the trial, our paths will never cross again. So, for the sake of the seven years we spent together, even though you have wronged me, I wanted to give you the complete picture. We have been through so much, and you deserve to know the truth before it all comes to an end." I smiled faintly. "Co
"I'm not sure," Max said, his face pale. "When she came out of the shower, I asked her why she was buying medication from that website. She said her brother had mental issues, and the doctors in Winterland recommended this drug. She was just doing research to compare it with other medications.""She seemed really anxious, mentioning that long-term use of the drug could have side effects. An overdose could strain the heart, and anyone taking it shouldn't drive because it could cause sudden heart problems, leading to dangerous situations or accidents."I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "So, you bought the drug from that website?"Max nodded. "Yes, I bought it and waited for the right opportunity. My original plan was to switch it with the vitamin pills, but I was afraid that if it was discovered, I would be directly implicated. I couldn't risk becoming a suspect. Then, the day you asked me to buy blood pressure medication for Aaron, I knew my chance had come."Thinking about it,
I had guessed correctly - Max did care about his mother, Annie, to some extent. But how could I show any mercy considering all the harm their family had caused me? Just because of his so-called filial piety?Ridiculous!However, I didn't want to kick a man when he was down. So, I simply said, "No.""Jen, it's my fault. I'm the one who gave the drugs to my mother and told her to put them in your food. She was just following my orders," Max tried to defend his mother.Before I could respond, he suddenly broke down in tears, covering his face with his hands. His sobs were heart-wrenching. "I know you hate me, and you hate my mother. We did wrong. I don't deserve your forgiveness, but my mother... she's suffering because of me."Max then looked up, his eyes red and swollen, a sight I had never seen before. "My family always favored boys over girls. My mother had three daughters before having me, and shortly after my birth, my father died in a coal mine explosion. My grandparents were
"I used to wonder why I was born into such a miserable family. Why could others afford school fees while I couldn't? When the teacher came to our house to ask for the fees, and the whole town watched, do you know what I was thinking, Jen? I thought, 'It's not worth going to school.' When I told my mother that, she slapped me and said she would sell her blood to make sure I could go to school. She cried and cursed, saying, 'Remember how people bully us, you have to grow up and trample those people under your feet! You have to make me proud, do you understand?'""Later, when I was in middle school, though it was compulsory education, we still needed to pay for textbooks. The school knew we were poor and applied for free textbooks for me. But do you know what that meant, Jen? The textbooks had a red stamp that said 'free textbook.' The school even sent someone to our house to take pictures of us, sitting in front of our broken house with those textbooks. They told me to smile. How could
I locked eyes with Max, feeling a profound sense of detachment between us."I'm sorry, Max," I began slowly, "your story about you and your mother is touching, and your family's struggles are undeniable, but that doesn't excuse the harm you've done to me. As adults, we need to take responsibility for our actions.""Jen, are you really this heartless?" Max's eyes flared with anger.I smiled faintly, "Max, I'm not claiming to be a saint. You can't manipulate me like this. However, considering our seven years together, I am willing to send some winter clothes to your mom. It gets pretty cold here in Johnsonville. But, that's all I can do. Anything more, I'm afraid I can't."Max's face stiffened.As I stood to leave, a thought struck me, and I turned back to him. "By the way, I'm looking into the surveillance footage and guest information from that night at the Waldorf Hotel. If you're willing to share what you know, I might be able to arrange more essential items for your mom."Max'
Max was utterly infuriated by my words. As I left, he screamed my name, grabbing the bars and yelling, "Jen! I'll kill you, you bitch! And Cindy too! I'll kill all of you!"I paused at the door and glanced back at Max. He looked like a crazed beast, thrashing wildly, his eyes bloodshot. His voice, tinged with desperation, cried out, "You ruined me! I'll kill every last one of you!"In that moment, I saw the true face of Max, a side I had never witnessed before. I shook my head and sighed. People like him, with such a pitiful yet hateful nature, are truly their own worst enemies. Leaving the visiting room, Max's wails faded into the distance. Outside, Luke and Taylor were waiting in the seating area, engrossed in a document. Taylor was speaking animatedly, while Luke listened intently, their heads close together. They look rather compatible.Hearing my footsteps, Luke looked up first and then stepped aside. His usual calm tone asked, "How did it go?"Taylor quickly put away the
Taylor opened the folder and handed it to me."This one shows Max purchased three apartments in the downtown district of Quainty under his three sisters' names. While the properties in Quainty aren't that expensive, the total comes to over six million," Taylor explained, pointing to another document. "This one details the large cash withdrawals Max made since marrying you. There were twelve transactions, each between one hundred thousand and two hundred thousand dollars, totaling exactly two million."Taylor continued, "Ms. Middleton, from these documents, it's clear that Max started transferring marital assets from the moment you got married. Technically, he was siphoning off the inheritance your parents left you. The combined total of these properties and cash withdrawals is sixteen million."I looked at the documents calmly, without much emotion, but I couldn't help feeling a bit reflective. I gathered the papers and handed them back to Taylor. "Max really worked fast with all th
Due to jet lag, I was already exhausted though it wasn't dark yet.Ian was drooping too, suddenly slumping against me.Worried he'd fall, I quickly steadied him.He glanced at me before contentedly closing his eyes again.He was completely worn out.Mr. Lloyd, who had been chatting with the director, noticed this and quickly wrapped up his conversation to join us.Still half-awake, Ian instinctively held onto my arm when his father reached for him."It's your Dad."At my words, Ian let go.Mr. Lloyd picked him up and strode toward the car, while I gathered Ian's things and followed.On the way back, I offered to drive.Mr. Lloyd was quiet. I turned on the car's music system, and soft music filled the space.Having debuted overseas as a trainee, Mr. Lloyd's fingers unconsciously tapped along to the rhythm on his leg.At a red light, I caught this movement in the rearview mirror.Mr. Lloyd had been an all rounder superstar - consistently among the top three highest-earning
Since Penelope was mid-flight and unreachable, I sent her a message and forwarded Sara's letter."Are you okay, Jen? You seem worried," Ian asked."Just blown away by your amazing performance. I'm still thinking about it."Ian was a natural - his acting could really move people."I might be cocky,” Ian grinned.He looked proud, and I ruffled his hair. "No chance of that."For a four-year-old, he'd shown remarkable composure during the preschool incident.Even after being cleared, he hadn't played the victim. That kind of emotional strength showed real character.A few compliments wouldn't change that.Ian's smile lit up his whole face, showing perfect baby teeth."When do you start filming your scenes?"The director was clearly impressed - Ian's role was locked in."Not sure yet."Ian looked up at his father."Soon," Mr. Lloyd said, clearly proud of Ian's performance. "I'll stay on set with Ian these next few days. Jen, feel free to explore the city. I'll call if we need
Just when they thought they'd found hope, the bad guys caught up with them.During their escape, his best friend fell off a cliff. When Bobby was finally rescued and led them back, they found his friend's body, mangled beyond recognition. He was devastated."I'll start now!"In an instant, Ian transformed. He walked heavily toward a chair, his expression gradually filling with pain.Kneeling beside the chair, he reached out as if to touch "him" but couldn't bring himself to do it. Tears silently rolled down his face.The director checked the script and signaled his assistant to remove the chair, simulating the scene where the friend's body would be placed in a body bag.At this, Ian broke into heart-wrenching sobs.His emotional outburst impressed everyone watching on set.Mr. Lloyd looked proud, and the director, as if discovering a treasure, praised Ian after his performance: "Your acting reminds me of your father in his prime.""If I'm as good as Dad was at my age, imagine
I'd dug my own grave, hadn't I?I swallowed my food, took a sip of water, and kept my head down while eating.Luke pushed the mild seafood soup toward me. "This is less spicy."Stubborn as I was, I ignored him.Luke called the server over, trying to order milder versions of the fish and pork."Don't bother, I love extra spicy food."Even though I needed water after every bite, I was determined to finish what I'd ordered.Seeing my stubbornness, Luke apologized to the server and let her go."Jen...""Don't talk while eating."By now, my soul had practically left my body from the spice. I wasn't in the mood for conversation.My throat felt like it was on fire as I gulped down more water.Luke quietly refilled my empty glass. He'd barely touched his seafood soup, his elegant movements making me feel even more ungraceful.I was suffering from my own spite!I wanted to throw down my chopsticks and leave.No, stay calm!I tried to maintain my composure, fighting the urge to d
Just as I finished speaking, my stomach let out an embarrassing growl."There's an excellent Chinese place around the corner," Luke said."You've been here before?""No.""..." Then how did he know about a good restaurant?Did he research every place this thoroughly?He'd make a perfect travel companion.I later learned he'd researched local restaurants knowing my passion for food.I'd only had water since waking up. The film crew would have finished lunch by now, with no leftovers available. I needed to find something on the way.Being in a bad mood lately, I hadn't researched any local restaurants before coming here.Craving authentic Chinese food, I decided to take Luke's suggestion.It was an upscale Chinese restaurant specializing in spicy cuisine. As soon as we sat down, a cheerful server brought out place settings and started listing their specialties."Our portions are generous. For a couple, I'd recommend one appetizer and a soup to start.""We're not a couple," I
Luke came to search for his birth mother himself?As I looked at him, he noticed me too.I greeted him and was about to get a taxi to the set."If you have time, can you show me where you saw her yesterday?""I... okay."Mr. Lloyd and Ian would be fine - finding Luke's mother was more urgent.After weighing the pros and cons, I agreed.Luke hadn't brought an assistant. I waited outside while he took his luggage to his hotel room, then we walked to where I'd seen his mother yesterday.It wasn't far from the hotel, so we went on foot.Without thinking, I kept about three feet between us.Luke: "Do I look like some kind of monster?"With his model-like features that made you want to break rules just looking at him, how could he possibly look like a monster?I shook my head."Then why are you keeping such a distance?""..." So that's what he meant...Though I'd decided to stay just friends, my heart - already full of him - still skipped beats when we were together.He was t
"If you can't find her, Luke can! Now that he has a general area, he can track her down quickly.""I'll let him know."Mrs. Walker was also searching for her, planning to use her to manipulate Luke. We needed to contact her before Mrs. Walker did.After hanging up with Wendy, I looked at Luke’s number on my phone. Several times I almost called him, but kept backing out.After hesitating, I tried calling Emily, but hung up just before it connected.Although Emily had been open with me, I couldn't be sure if she was genuinely helping Luke.To be safe, I called Luke instead. He answered on the first ring.Luke stayed silent."Mr. Walker, this is Jen.""I wasn't planning to cut you out of my life completely. I kept your number."Me: ...There he went again with his sharp tongue. I almost hung up, but remembering how much he'd helped me, and that I could finally do something for him, I told him about possibly seeing his birth mother near the hotel.After a moment of silence, Luk
"Dad, he's a bad guy!" Ian pointed at the man who was already several yards away.The robber was huge - well over 6'2", wearing a denim vest that showed off his muscular arms. Mr. Lloyd probably couldn't take many punches from him, and we didn't know if he was armed. It wasn't worth the risk.I ruffled Ian's hair. "Let's go get something to eat.""Help! Stop the robber!"A woman was running after him, desperately grabbing passersby for help, out of breath.Following the 'better safe than sorry' principle, no one stepped forward to help.She reached us, and seeing we were Asian, her eyes lit up with hope. "Please help me, I have something very important in my bag."Mr. Lloyd looked down at his arm where she was clutching it. "I'm sorry, we're new here and unfamiliar with the area. We can't help."She let go, disappointed, staring dejectedly in the direction the robber had disappeared.Ian said in his sweet voice, "When you're in trouble, find a police officer."The woman was a
His stern look only made Penelope more nervous.When Director Nolan called "Cut!", she was already drenched in cold sweat.She quickly apologized to the director.Director Nolan watched the playback with a grave expression.As the makeup artist touched up Penelope's makeup, I went to her side and encouraged her: "It gets easier after the first try. You'll do better in the next take.""Jen..." Penelope glanced at the crew members around us. "This is my first time on such a major production.""You'll have many more opportunities like this."One Entertainment had been investing most of its resources in Penelope lately, and with her connection to Jethro, her popularity wasn't waning.One hit was all she needed to skyrocket to stardom."Jen..."Penelope's voice trembled with worry.George was particularly anxious too. "You've done well in other productions. We can't mess up at this crucial moment!"A good performance in Director Nolan's film could lead to future collaborations,