Angeline didn't want to leave any photos of Jessica at the Emmerson residence. After all, she knew the latter was still alive. So, she'd destroyed the photo before leaving the place. Ned had been there with her.Now, Ned headed to the back of the car and opened the trunk, pulling out a photo slotted between the pages of a notebook. He handed it to Angeline.Her pupils constricted at it. In the photo, Jessica was haggard and almost skeleton-like after the torment she'd been through, and her eyes had been devoid of light. The clothes she wore were Juliet's—she'd only been allowed to change into them for the photo."I happened to stumble upon a secondhand store owned by someone from Lonla when I was abroad, and I found this photo inside. I bought the whole album and took this photo out for you." Ned fixed his gaze on Angeline.He continued, "Later, I saw the photo Mallory posted on her Twitter. You were too young then, so you might not remember…"He took out his phone and pulled up
Angeline looked at the photo, unable to hide her hatred and disgust for the Emmerson family. She held out a hand in Ned's direction. "Lend me your lighter."He was taken aback for a while before pulling his lighter out of his pocket. He handed it to Angeline and watched as she set a corner of the photo on fire, her expression aloof.Ned moved his gaze from the photo to Angeline's face. He didn't think he'd done anything pointless. At least it had given him the chance to see Angeline, whom he'd been dreaming of for days.But once the photo was destroyed, he wouldn't have any excuse to see her anymore. He knew there was no way she would agree to see him if not for the matter being related to Jessica.The photo curled from the heat, and the flames slowly burned away Juliet's smiling face as she held Benjamin in her arms. Next to go was George, who was also beaming. Then, Jessica and Angeline, whose expressions were stoic and indifferent, were the last.Angeline only released the ph
Angeline merely glanced at Ned before turning to head inside the apartment building. Ned remained rooted to the spot as he clenched his fists tighter. His breathing sped up as he watched Angeline disappear inside and the doors shut behind her.She arrived in the elevator lobby and had just pressed the call button for the elevator when Ned charged inside. His facial recognition scan was still valid, so he wasn't barred from entering the building.Just as Angeline stepped inside the elevator and pressed the button for the penthouse, he burst inside with her. His chest heaved as he watched her. He pressed the button for the fourth floor before turning back to stare at her with a heartbroken look.Knowing that his apartment was on the fourth floor, she paid him no mind. But as soon as the elevator arrived at the fourth floor, Ned grabbed Angeline's arm and dragged her out with him. He unlocked his door and dragged her inside."What the hell, Ned?" she yelled. The door slammed shut be
"Even if you die, it won't bring Anne back…" Angeline looked into Ned's eyes. The iciness in her voice hurt him. "Ned, you no longer have a place in my heart, and I don't need you anymore! I once told you that you used to be my entire world. All the happiness I had in my life came from you, but now… there are many people who make me happy, and you're not one of them!"Every word she said made it clear to Ned that she would not consider him. In the past, Angeline's world had been so small that Ned was the only one in it.Now, Angeline's world was very big. It was big enough to contain everyone except for Ned.Angeline pushed Ned aside, pulled the door open, and entered the elevator once more. Ned could neither hurt Angeline nor force her to do anything. The only thing he could do was to watch her leave as tears rolled down his cheeks. He loved Angeline more than anything. He had considered forcing her to be with him and to take her for his own. He had even considered usin
"Don't worry. No one will find out about what your mother experienced in Emmerson Village. Mr. Lawson Senior has covered any trace of her very well! Besides, Jessica has always been the only successor to Lawson Global." Sean held Angeline's soft hand in his and comforted her gently.Just as Angeline had said to Ned, no one would believe that the only daughter of the Lawsons and the only successor to Lawson Global had once been abducted and sold to a remote, poor place like Emmerson Village.If Rowan hadn't deceived Jessica, she would never have left her bodyguards' sight.Besides, in order to protect Jessica, Robert had never announced her disappearance to the public. He had only claimed that Jessica had been facing challenges in her mental health due to how strict he had been on her and that he had sent her abroad to recuperate. When they finally found Jessica, Robert had come up with the story of Angeline's birth mother and her child dying on the operating table. This had been
Angeline had clearly heard Sean on the phone just now."Yeah."Sean got up and walked over to Angeline. He took the towel from her and dried her hair, saying, "I'll control Melissa, and I'll make sure that she doesn't cause any trouble. Let me dry your hair."Sean led her to sit in front of the dressing table. After he had blow-dried her hair, she looked at his reflection in the mirror and hesitated before asking, "How are you planning to keep an eye on Melissa while ensuring her safety and happiness? To Melissa… the greatest happiness she can have is to be together with Shane. Can you give her that?"Sean sat at the side of the bed and turned Angeline around to face him. "I won't get together with her, Angeline… You know you're the only one I love.""She is willing to pretend to have amnesia and to act like she only has the intelligence of a child, all so that she can be together with you. You should know that Melissa will do anything to stay with you." Angeline's voice w
Angeline's brow furrowed as she looked at Sean.When she didn't answer, Sean continued, "You and the children will always be the most important thing in my heart! We're in love. Why do we have to split up because of Melissa? I never backed down even with Mr. Lawson Senior, and I won't do so because of Melissa! Angeline, I've already told you that you can only be mine."He raised a hand and pressed it against Angeline's cheek. "I'll never choose between you and Melissa. In every choice I make, you will always be my priority!"After a moment, Angeline looked at Sean as she spoke, "I don't want to waste too much energy on relationships, Sean… I love you, but I also love Mom, Granddad, and the children! I love the Lawsons and Lawson Global, and I don't want my emotions to be affected because of a relationship or for it to affect other matters.""It won't." Sean's thumb rubbed the corner of her mouth gently. He was unable to resist pulling her onto his lap. "Angeline, I'm happy th
Sean still cared greatly about how Angeline felt, even though he felt an uncontrollable desire for her. However, he could still stop if she felt uncomfortable."Yes…" She nodded weakly. "A little.""Alright. Let me snuggle you to sleep," he said."Okay…" That night, Angeline lay in Sean's arms. She wasn't sure if it was because of the alcohol she had drunk or because Sean was with her, but she slept very well. She actually woke up half an hour later than usual.Angeline turned and saw that the space beside her was empty. Sean had left a note on the pillow saying he was going to Hooper Group to discuss their collaboration. He left before anyone else was awake to not cause any trouble for Angeline if he were to be sighted.She got out of bed and headed out. The housekeeper had already laid breakfast on the table and kept it warm. Angeline drank a glass of warm water. She gripped the glass tightly as she thought about what Sean had said the night before about letting Meliss