…
At Skyline Restaurant.
The atmosphere was a mix of joy and tension as Lucas sat across from Tracy. His father and stepmother, a couple deeply engrossed in conversation, sat beside each other.
“Who would have thought that Tracy would ever return?” Mrs. Harrison beamed.
“I also thought she would spend the rest of her life abroad,” Mr. Harrison chuckled. “When you went there to study, we hoped you would come back often, but you didn’t.”
“Oh, Uncle… Aunty…" Tracy smiled bashfully, lowering her head. “I always had it in mind to return. How could I not when everything I love is here?”
With those words, she cast a meaningful gaze at Lucas, who seemed lost in thought, silently eating his food.
“Well, your return is worth celebrating,” Mrs. Harrison declared, the most joyous of them all. She had been disappointed when Tracy left for studies abroad, especially since it marked the end of her relationship with Lucas. If only Tracy had stayed, Lucas might never have married the girl his grandfather chose for him.
“Hey, Son,” Mrs. Harrison turned to Lucas, “This city has changed a lot since Tracy left. How about you give her a tour later?”
It was already that Lucas hadn’t avoided Tracy and had even arranged a celebratory dinner for her. Mrs. Harrison couldn’t wait for the sparks of their past love to reignite.
Just as Lucas was about to respond, his phone rang, interrupting the moment. Excusing himself, he left the table and answered the phone in a corner. The phone call was from the Butler, and Lucas wondered if Heidi was still in his house.
“She has signed the divorce, Young Master,” the Butler stated.
Lucas was taken aback, his eyes widening momentarily before darkening with realization. Just as he had suspected, Heidi was only interested in his money. Did she believe she could deceive him for long?
“But Madam didn’t sign the other documents,” the Butler continued. “She said she doesn’t want any compensation.”
Lucas’s grip tightened on the phone, and it took him a few seconds to react. “She doesn’t want the money?”
“Yes, Young Master,” the Butler confirmed. “Madam has already left the house. A young man picked her up.”
Lucas almost slammed his phone against the wall when he heard Butler’s last statement.
His heart fumed with rage, and he hung up.
Heidi.
How dare she?
His mind raced with questions. Who was that man who had picked her up? The answers, yet unknown, fueled Lucas’s growing fury.
“Is something wrong, Lucas?” Tracy came to his side, her eyes flashing with worry. “You’re taking too long on the phone.”
Lucas struggled to compose himself, and then he replied, “Nothing.”
“Your food is getting cold.” Tracy batted her lashes innocently. “Aunt and Uncle are beginning to worry, too.”
Lucas frowned and returned to the dining table, suddenly losing his appetite. As he walked away, Tracy’s gentle expression turned bitter, wondering who he was on the phone with.
Despite eavesdropping on the conversation, she couldn’t hear what the other person was saying.
“Dad, I want to make an announcement,” Lucas said after sitting on his chair.
His father looked up from his food, and his stepmother stared at him eagerly.
Lucas didn’t look at the woman, though. He and his stepmother had not always been on good terms. He only tolerated her because of his father.
“Heidi and I have divorced.”
The spoon dropped from his father’s hand, and his stepmother’s lips parted.
Tracy, who had just returned to her chair, also looked shocked.
“What do you mean, Son? What was the cause of your divorce?”
Mr. Harrison didn’t like his daughter-in-law because she wasn’t from an affluent family. Still, it surprised him that his son had divorced her. Hadn’t he been adamant about marrying her despite his disapproval?
Lucas wasn’t going to reveal to his father that his grandfather had strategized everything. He only sighed and said, “Our marriage was doomed from the start. We don’t love each other.”
“Well, that’s good riddance, Son.” His stepmother chimed in. “Tell me you didn’t give her any money. I know those kinds of girls are only after what your pocket can offer.”
“She didn’t take the compensation,” Lucas grumbled, disliking the way the woman called him ‘Son’ so freely. For goodness sake, she wasn’t even older than him.
“She didn’t take the money?”
Both his father and stepmother looked puzzled.
The reason why Mr. Harrison hadn’t pestered his son to divorce her in the past was partly because his son had to give her money as compensation, apart from fearing Grandpa Winston’s rage. His wife had fed him with information about girls like her, which he didn’t like.
“Well, what are you planning to do with your life now?” Mr. Harrison said. “And how are you going to break the news to your grandfather?”
Knowing Grandpa Winston, he would surely seek an explanation.
“Grandpa doesn’t have to know,” Lucas replied. “I plan to marry Tracy, Dad.”
“Oh.” Mr. Harrison nodded in realization.
Tracy feigned surprise, covering her mouth. “Oh, Lucas, what are people going to think?”
Dramatically placing a hand on her chest, she shot glances from Lucas to his father. “You just got divorced, and people might say all sorts of things. What will Heidi think?”
“Heidi doesn’t matter.” Lucas shook his head. “You are the only one I love.”
Tracy lowered her head, and her eyes sparkled. She side-eyed Mrs. Harrison, who was also stifling a laugh.
None of them expected Lucas to drop the bomb about marrying Tracy soon.
When Tracy returned to the country, she had thought it was going to be hard to be together with him. After all, she initiated their breakup. Who knew it was going to be a piece of cake?
Mr. Harrison and Mrs. Harrison left after a while, and Tracy stayed back with Lucas in the restaurant. She wanted some fresh air, and Lucas took her to the rooftop.
“I am sorry for leaving three years ago, Lucas,” she said sadly. “But I was afraid someone might hurt me.”
Lucas was about to respond when something caught their attention.
Against the dark sky, several drones formed the shape of a bird, their colorful lights brightening up the atmosphere.
Tracy’s jaw dropped, and Lucas looked confused. Thinking that Lucas had planned the show for her, Tracy’s heart fluttered. “You didn’t have to, Lucas… this is too much-”
But before she finished speaking, a male’s voice interrupted from the other side of the rooftop.
“Cheers to the end of ‘Happily Ever After’ and the start of ‘Whatever Makes Me Happy Now’! You are a free bird, Princess.”
A champagne bottle popped up, followed by the sound of laughter.
Both Lucas and Tracy looked in that direction, and Lucas’s expression darkened.
“What are you doing here, Heidi?”
Heidi, enchanted by the colorful drones, frowned a bit when she heard Lucas’s voice.
Turning around, she faced Lucas and Tracy.
She shouldn’t be shocked to see them together, yet their appearance dampened her mood.
“So he’s your new lover.” Lucas stared at Zach, who was beside her. “It is not even up to a day, and you are messing around already.”
“I can say the same for you, Mr. Harrison.” Heidi folded her hands. “And unlike you, I didn’t cheat while we were married.”
“Who will believe that?” Lucas looked from her to Zach. “Heidi, you should be ashamed of yourself.”
Lucas didn’t like the way she addressed him with his surname. Where did her confidence come from? Was it because she was now dating a rich guy?
Of all people, Lucas didn’t expect her to hook up with Zach Olsen. He was the President of AG Group and was notorious for his playboy personality.
“Whether you believe her or not, nobody cares.” Zach’s blood was boiling the moment he sighted Lucas and his mistress. “You have no right to question whoever she hangs out with. If I were you, I’d stay out of her way.”
Zach swooped in, grabbing Heidi’s waist, catching her off guard. She shot him a questioning look, and he responded with a wink. Lucas, on the other hand, clenched his fists, growing even more furious. Tracy, noticing the tension, became concerned. What was it about Heidi interacting with another man that made Lucas so visibly jealous?
“You have gone too far, Heidi,” she said softly. “Even though Lucas no longer wants you, you shouldn’t have stooped this low.”
“Tracy or whatever you’re called, no one invited you into this talk,” Heidi sharply replied.
“I know you’re mad at me, Heidi.” Suddenly, Tracy grabbed Heidi’s hands, giving her a pleading look. “But it is wrong of you to blame me. Didn’t you come between us three years ago? If it wasn’t for you-”
“Let go,” Heidi demanded, shaking off Tracy’s grasp. Tracy stumbled to the side just as a waiter approached, carrying a tray loaded with all of Heidi’s favorite dishes that Zach had ordered. Tracy crashed into the waiter, and the bowl of soup flipped in the air, causing the hot tomato to splash on her.
“Heidi, are you crazy!?” Lucas hollered.
“No, please don’t blame her, Lucas.” Fake tears ran down Tracy’s face. “Heidi is just jealous. I know she’s mad because-”
“Tsk tsk tsk.” Heidi’s lips twitched, and she shook her head. Knowing that Tracy had intentionally bumped into the waiter, she couldn’t help but applaud her acting.
“If this is the kind of woman you are going to end up with, Lucas…” Her lips curled into a smirk. “Congratulations.”
With those words, she strolled away, Zach still holding her waist. Lucas stood there, utterly bewildered, gazing at their retreating figures in a daze.
The Olsen Family Mansion buzzed with activity the next day. As Heidi stepped into the house, she felt like she had just walked into a new world.Despite three years passing, everything seemed oddly unchanged. Whispers of recognition followed her every step.“The Young Miss is back.”“Really? I thought I was imagining things. Our Young Miss’s complexion is brighter, and her hair is shinier. This lady is just skin and bones.”“Are you sure it is our Young Miss? She might resemble her,” questioned the skeptical whispers.The servants’ gasps of astonishment spread across the compound as they spoke in hushed tones, all casting strange looks in Heidi’s direction. She heard their conversations and a bitter smile formed on her face.For three long years, she had deliberately kept her distance from the mansion. It wasn’t enough time to erase her identity, but it had certainly worked its magic on her appearance. The reason the servants couldn’t recognize her was that her appearance had indeed c
Inside the towering skyscraper of the GK Group...Lucas stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his frigid frame unmoving. The cold, sterile light of the office cast shadows across his face, revealing a tense mask that concealed the boiling rage inside him.His eyes were fixed on the bustling city below, yet the image of her leaning into another man’s arms flashed in his mind.“Mr. Harrison,” his secretary, Amanda, walked into the office.Lucas seemed lost in his thoughts. The secretary had been knocking for a while but received no response.“Mr. Harrison.” Clearing her throat, Amanda called his attention again. “I am here with the reports.”Remembering the assignment he’d given his secretary, Lucas snapped out of his thoughts. He strolled back to his swivel chair and sat down.“What did you find?”“Regarding Mrs. Harrison’s whereabouts…” she watched the man’s expression carefully before reporting, “I am afraid to tell you that her provided address is false. No one in the Metrolift Apar
[Yes, Ms. Carlson. Everything is set.] The reply came instantly. Tracy dropped her phone and wrapped both hands around Lucas’s arm as he stared out of the window.The car pulled over in front of the hotel. Lucas was somewhat surprised to find paparazzi present; after all, it wasn’t some extravagant business dinner. He might have declined the invitation if not for Tracy’s request.As they emerged from the car, a dazzling display of flashes and shutters greeted them. The paparazzi were in a frenzy, capturing every moment as if it were a cinematic event. The questions came like rapid-fire, each one attempting to unveil the mystery behind the couple.“Mr. Harrison, what a splendid surprise. For the first time in history, you have a woman by your side. May we know who this lucky lady is?”“Isn’t she the Young Mistress of the Carlson Household? There have been rumors that Mr. Harrison and Ms. Carlson are in a relationship. Is it true?”“Mr. Harrison is one of the most eligible bachelors in
At StriveStyle Co. “I heard we are getting a new CEO soon.” “Ha! You must be joking. Who is that unlucky person?” “StriveStyle Co. is practically a sinking ship. I can’t imagine anyone willingly stepping into the CEO role.” “Unless it is someone as greedy as the former CEO who laundered money mercilessly.” The employees were in a frenzy. Some of them even bumped into Heidi as they rushed to get to the conference room early. Heidi didn’t walk in the same direction, though. Her new assistant hurried up to her, panting heavily. “I- I am so sorry, Ms. Olsen. I was still setting up your office; I couldn’t receive you at the parking lot. Please overlook my mistake; this is the last time, I promise.” “Relax.” Heidi smiled. “Where are the reports I requested?” “Here, I’ve printed them out.” The assistant handed her a documents folder. “They have all the information you need, Ms. Olsen.” “Good.” Heidi flipped through the papers. Her brows knitted while skimming through the content, th
Phoenix City’s First Hospital stood proudly in the heart of the city, just a stone’s throw away from StriveStyle Co. Heidi swiftly arrived, making her way through the hospital’s entrance. The staff, familiar with her due to GK Group’s significant ownership, directed her straight to the emergency room. Although Lucas hadn’t publicly declared their marriage, this hospital was one of the few places where Heidi was acknowledged as a member of the Harrison Family. “How is Grandpa’s condition?” Heidi asked, encountering the doctor emerging from the emergency room. Sweaty and out of breath from her hurried arrival, anxiety gripped her as she feared Grandpa Winston’s condition might be more severe this time. “Tell me, Doc. What exactly happened to Grandpa Winston?” “Do you even deserve to know?” a familiar yet cold voice interrupted from behind. Heidi turned to find herself face-to-face with Lucas.“What's wrong with you? You're the one who called me to come to visit your Grandpa!” Hend
Tracy paused, feeling the weight of the tension in the room. The air grew heavy, and the once cheerful expression on Grandpa Winston’s face twisted into a deep scowl.“I asked you, who gave her permission to come here?” Grandpa Winston’s voice cut through the tense silence.“Grandpa Winston, please calm down,” the Young Nurse interjected, her voice trembling with concern. She feared his anger might exacerbate his illness.“Grandpa, don’t you remember her? She’s Tracy,” Lucas said, trying to bridge the connection.“So what!?” Grandpa Winston snapped, his displeasure evident.Seeing the same girl he had seen on the TV with his grandson, was it possible that the news wasn’t fake? Otherwise, why would she also come here? “Before I count to two, I want her out of this place,” Grandpa Winston demanded.“But, Grandpa…” Lucas looked dissatisfied. “Tracy is here to check on you.”“Y-You.” Grandpa Winston’s hand shook. Tracy could sense the brewing conflict between Lucas and his grandfather.
“I don’t know what came over my grandson. In what way is that girl better than you?” Grandpa Winston lamented, shaking his head, his voice heavy with disappointment.His voice, previously firm during the exchange with Lucas, now sounded weak and exhausted. Reaching into his pocket, Grandpa Winston retrieved a small satchel he always carried around. With a gentle hand, he opened it to reveal a necklace nestled inside. “Heidi, I have always wanted to give this to you. I don’t want to delay it any longer. Do you know that a few hours ago, I almost thought I wouldn’t survive?” he confessed softly, taking Heidi’s hand and placing the necklace in her palm.“Grandpa...” Heidi trailed off, blinking at the necklace.The diamonds sparkled and glinted against the light, embraced by finely polished gold links. The simple yet elegant patterns captivated her eyes, casting a spell over her.“You like it, right?” Grandpa Winston smiled, satisfied by her reaction. “It is all yours, Heidi.”Heidi shoo
Tracy’s words left Lucas confused, prompting a glance in the direction Heidi had taken. Tarnishing GK Group’s reputation meant potential destruction for the company. What benefit could Heidi gain from such an act? Even if she were to share such damaging information with the media, what could she possibly stand to gain from such an act?“You’re worrying too much,” Lucas assured Tracy. “I don’t think Heidi is capable of that.”Tracy paused. She fiddled with her hands while her heart burned inside.“B-But, Lucas,” she quickly regained her pitiful look, “Then how do you think the paparazzi got the news that we were going to attend the business dinner together?”Holding his hand, she continued, “The only people who knew you’d bring a female companion to the party were you and your parents. And the name on the party list was supposed to be Heidi’s.”“Doesn’t it make sense that Heidi plans to retaliate out of jealousy? And her only target will be GK Group. That’s the only way she can hurt yo