“What’s this? I’m not eating that!” Heather rejected her offer, looking at it with disdain. The bowl was filled with white, creamy liquid and bits of chicken and vegetables that looked appetizing and smelled amazing. It did make Heather hungry, so she asked, “What soup is it?Hannah’s face immediately brightened, and she answered Heather’s question eagerly, “It’s some chicken broth that’s good for the body. I heard that you’ve injured yourself, and I hope this can help you recover.” “Good for me?” Heather eyed her suspiciously and took out her phone to search for information about it. “How did you know chicken soup is good for injuries or when someone’s sick?”“I saw it on TV,” Hannah replied immediately, “I noticed that we have the ingredients needed to make it, and the kitchen was empty then, so I decided to make this for you. Don’t worry. I made sure no one saw me.” Heather was not worried about Hannah being seen. She made sure that the people around her were those s
Heather went upstairs while Hannah took the empty bowl to the kitchen. She turned on the tap and cleaned the bowl with a cloth. She took her time cleaning it thoroughly.After she finished, she placed it back in the cabinet and took one last look at the kitchen before walking toward her small bedroom. Hannah’s bedroom in the basement was very dark and quiet, but she was used to this environment. She sat in a corner where a small amount of sunlight was available. The sunlight shone on a small area close to her toes. She could feel the warmth of the sun if she just stretched her feet, but instead, she chose to sit with her knees bent and her toes curled together. She was so close to the sun yet did not dare reach out for it. Her arms were around her knees, hugging them as one of her hands played with the distorted ring she had. Hannah had found her ring, even though it was not how it used to be. Nothing truly belonged to her in this world, not anything or anyone. She shoul
“Sure,” Heather agreed readily. “I’ll see you later.” Then she hung up the phone without hesitation, making Ralph somewhat suspicious because she was too quick to decide.Ralph felt Heather should have been ecstatic and full of anticipation. Despite the fact that she agreed quickly, her reaction surprised him. It was nothing like what he had imagined at all.It weirded him out a little, but Heather was unlike any other woman when he thought about it. Hence, what he found strange about her might be what was usual in her daily life.With that thought in mind, he hummed a song and headed into the shower to prepare himself for the night. They would have a great talk tonight, and he would welcome his brand new life!…At six p.m., Ralph was about to leave for the hotel when Celine appeared. She could not help but notice he was in high spirits. “Heading out for a wild night?”“Hey! What are you talking about? I’m going to discuss business and strike a huge deal.” Ralph clicked his tong
Margaret opened the folder and removed the stack of papers, finding it slightly thicker than she had expected. Puzzled, she looked up at Celine, who explained hurriedly, “To ensure the results are accurate, I did the test for everyone in our family.“There’s the test between you, Ralph, and myself with Alex, respectively. If the results are the same, that would be no problem, but if it isn’t, the outcome wouldn’t be affected just because of one person.”After pondering for a moment, Margaret found that Celine’s words made sense and nodded before picking up her presbyopic glasses and browsing through the results.However, her expression gradually worsened while she looked at them. She would read a few pages and then flip to the earlier ones before flipping back to the later ones again. Suddenly, she raised her head to look at Celine in disbelief. “T-This…”“Mom, stay calm. I told you that you need to be mentally prepared,” Celine said softly. She was shocked, too, when she first saw
Ralph felt even more victorious the more Heather acted this way. With a smug smile, he turned and approached the bottle of red wine he had prepared earlier and slowly poured the liquid into two wine glasses. He was not concerned about her words, as if everything was under his control.Heather noticed his actions and followed behind him but stopped after taking one step.With two wine glasses, Ralph turned around and faced her. “We’re finally getting the things most important to us. Don’t you think it calls for a celebration? Let us toast to our successful cooperation!”Heather only looked at him for a moment before taking the glass. After seeing Ralph gulp the drink, she put the glass closer to her lips and took a sip. Then she stretched her arm out again. “The book.”“Haha…” Ralph looked at her outreached hand. She had her palm facing up; her many fine lines and thin calluses differed from other girls with soft hands. With one look, one could tell those were traces from practicing
“The audacity you have to say that. Do you think you have the credibility a businessman should have when you add more terms on the spot like this?” Heather swirled the wine glass in her hand and looked at Ralph mockingly.She knew this man was unreliable from the start and that adding terms at the last minute was something he would pull off. It did not matter how many shares she offered him in the first place because Ralph was a greedy man who would never be satisfied. “Credibility?” Ralph laughed as if he had heard a joke. “Who even talks about that these days? Being credible won’t get me what I want. As you said, we’re people in business, and our self-interests are our utmost priority, no?“Look at us; we’re tied together because of our personal gains, right? Since it all boils down to our interests, we should try to maximize it, which is the gist of being in business!”That was Ralph’s business perspective, and he based his actions on that. Hence, he felt frustrated by the way
“I…” Ralph was tongue-tied and thought to himself. ‘Could it be that she changed her mind because she wasn’t satisfied with my terms? That can’t be it. She’s been looking for the handbook for so many years. How could she just change her mind about something she wanted so badly?’He probed. “Then… what do you mean to say?”“I mean that I don’t want it anymore! I don’t want the book anymore!” Heather was determined. It looked like there was no room for negotiations.“Cut the cr*p. I know you still want the handbook. You want to discuss the terms of our deal again, don’t you? Fine, let’s talk it out then. Since it’s business, we can always negotiate and come to a conclusion that we’re both happy with. You don’t need to reject me directly just because you couldn’t accept what I requested. There’s no need to get so worked up over this.”When it came to Heather, Ralph did not dare to use brute force on her as he was no match for her. However, he was puzzled by her attitude.While he was
However, Heather just gave him a contemptuous look with a mocking smile hanging from her lips. Although she said nothing, it was a significant blow to Ralph. Disbelief washed over him. At this moment, he was more astonished than he was afraid of her. He grabbed her shoulders, holding them tightly. “Don’t go! Explain what you said earlier! What do you mean by it’s fake?”No one dared to do such a thing to Heather before this. She was taken aback for a moment before her expression turned dark, and she asked coldly. “What are you doing?”“Explain it to me! What did you say was fake? You’ve never seen the authentic handbook, so how could you say that the one I have is fake? You must be purposely deceiving me so you can snatch the book away from me! You don’t want to spend any money to get it, do you?“Pfft! Look at you calling me greedy when you’re the genuinely greedy one! Heather Riggs, I had no idea you were so cunning when you appear to care about nothing in this world. A deal? Yo
Lily tilted her head up to fight back her tears, saying, “There’s something I find strange.”“What is it?” Mike asked after comforting his son.“Instead of detaining Prince Ross, Her Majesty has sent him back to Yudonia. If so, why couldn’t we reach him?”After some thought, Mike answered, “There are two possibilities. It’s probably due to poor signals, or he doesn’t want us to contact him.”The two shared a look, knowing what each other was wondering.‘Why can’t we contact Ross? Is he planning something?’…Three days later, Lily inserted the last needle into the queen’s leg and looked up at her, saying, “You should start feeling your legs tomorrow. Still, it’ll take some time before you can stand.”Suddenly, Lily chuckled.“Why are you laughing?” Yasmin touched her legs. She had begun to regain sensation in her legs over the last two days. She then began to believe that she could get up. However, the queen was hesitant when the queen heard Lily chuckle.Lily shook her head
Lily straightened up and said without resentment, “Of course, you wouldn’t.”“That’s… quite a pity,” the queen murmured thoughtfully.“Well, there’s a price to pay for everything. That’s how the world balances itself,” Lily continued, “I can’t stop you if you must carry on with R10. Still, I won’t witness whether or not it succeeds. I just wish the outcome isn’t something you’ll regret.”Lily smiled and turned to head out the door.Rick heard their conversation as he stood guard outside. After exchanging looks with Lily as she brushed past him, he entered the room and saw the needles in Yasmin’s legs. “Your Majesty, those needles—”The queen waved dismissively. “It’s okay. Lily will remove them later.”Even so, Rick was wary. “You’re being too careless, Your Majesty. What if that woman—”“She wouldn’t,” Yasmin interjected, shaking her head."Why do you trust her so much?" Rick asked despite himself. The queen fell silent. If Rick had not asked her that, she would not have rea
Lily took out a cloth and unfolded it, revealing a row of silver needles inside. Yasmin was surprised she carried the needles with her.“Tell me. What do you want?” The queen took a deep breath to calm herself. She then reminded herself that she could always say no to Lily’s request. Still, Yasmin was cautious about Lily trying to trick her.Lily casually said, "I left because Prince Ross wanted to help me. I hope you don’t punish him.""That's it?" Yasmin thought she had misheard Lily. 'Is she trying to talk terms with me just so that I won't punish my son?' she wondered in disbelief."Ross is my son. I won't harm him. Don't you think you've wasted an opportunity by making such a request?" The queen shook her head. "I wasn’t sure if you’d blame him, but he did rescue me once. If I don't do anything, it would be ungrateful of me," Lily said gently, "Also, didn’t you already lock him up?"Yasmin was puzzled. "No, I only sent him back to Yudonia. He kept trying to get me to sto
"Three days," Lily replied.“That’s it?!” Yasmin was in disbelief. She thought Lily would try to buy some more time and suspected she would say the process would take several months or even years.‘I haven’t felt my legs for over a decade. I wouldn’t mind waiting for three more days.’“Are you sure I can get up and walk in just three days?” Yasmin pressed her legs hard but felt nothing. She would have treated her legs long ago if it were that easy.The queen had visited many famous doctors from various countries, but they could only stop her legs from getting weaker. However, Lily confidently told Yasmin that she could fix her legs so quickly.Yasmin wanted to believe it.After some consideration, Lily said, “I can’t guarantee that you’ll walk as fast as you once could. After all, you haven’t used your legs for a long time, and your muscles have atrophied. Still, you’ll recover slowly.”Yasmin nodded repeatedly, thinking it was good enough. She never dreamed of walking as well a
“Because only our opinions matter." Lily thought of something and said, "Unless you choose to believe Rhea.""I… don't trust anyone." Yasmin’s expression stiffened as she turned her wheelchair away."Your Majesty, I know you're dedicated to the experiment, but there are other things in life. Have you ever considered letting go of your burden to sightsee? You’ve done enough as a queen over the last few decades. Aren’t you tired of living a lonely life?”Lily gently spoke as she gazed at Yasmin’s back.The older woman caressed her knees with both hands and stared down at her legs, murmuring, “Sightsee, huh? I’ve forgotten what that’s like.”Yasmin had not used her legs for many years. Initially, she could still stand up and sometimes took a few steps. However, she could no longer get to her feet.She had grown accustomed to sitting in a wheelchair, but she felt a pang of sorrow after hearing Lily’s suggestion.Lily asked, “What if I can help you stand again? What if you can walk a
"Yes, I returned not just for him but also for you," Lily said, "I'm sure you were anxious for my return, weren't you?"Yasmin scoffed dismissively. "Why would I be? I have my bargaining chip. Besides, did you honestly think I couldn’t bring you back?""Bargaining chip? Do you mean Nick?" Lily shook her head with a smile. "Don't forget that he's not my son. Do you think he'll be much of a bargaining chip to you if I choose to ignore him for my three children?"She did not wait for Yasmin to reply and continued, "Besides, Nick still has a father who’s willing to die for him. If Mike decides to take drastic action against you— Yes, you're a queen, and you don't care much about an insignificant businessman.“However, don't forget that his business spans worldwide. There's no guarantee what he might do. Who knows, he might spread information that can affect Your Majesty and Yudonia's reputation?""You…" The queen was exasperated but could not retort.Lily noticed it and casually said
Rick could only remain silent at that moment.Yasmin then turned her wheelchair around and blandly said, “Bring Lily over. I’d like to see what excuses that sly woman can come up with.”"Your Majesty?" Rick was puzzled. "You know she'll just lie to you. Why must you—"Yasmin interjected, "I'd like to hear what she has to say."Rick had no choice but to leave and do as she said.As Lily was about to doze off, she heard noises from outside and opened her eyes. Immediately after, the door opened, and Rick appeared. He glared at her and spoke coldly, “Her Majesty wants to see you.”Lily glanced at Rick calmly and stood up as if she had expected his appearance. On the other hand, Mike rose before her and headed out.However, Rick stopped him as he reached the door. “You stay.”"But we came together!" Mike glanced over his shoulder at Lily, signaling her to persuade the man. Rick added, "The queen doesn’t wish to see you. Just stay here!"Lily patted Mike's shoulder and said gentl
Everyone was shocked when Lily returned to the embassy with Mike. One of the staff members quickly left to report the news to Queen Yasmin.Meanwhile, Lily saw people peering at her and Mike from the corner. Afterward, several guarded-looking men appeared. Lilt recognized them as the queen’s attendants. They brought Mike and Lily inside and then gave the duo a thorough search.The men only relaxed after finding nothing suspicious about the duo. Even so, Lily could not see the queen as the men told her to wait in an innermost room instead.After returning to the embassy, Lily felt a sense of strange familiarity. Although she knew the place well, her mindset had changed.She previously hated the embassy and simply wanted to escape. However, she had returned with a critical mission. Not only did she have to complete it, but she also needed to leave the place in one piece.While she was calm, Mike was somewhat anxious. He clasped his hands on his knees and glanced around as he sat dow
"I promise I'll do anything you want, okay?" Mike begged. He was desperate to see his son, so he decided to follow Lily when she insisted on returning to the embassy.Mike continued, “If any of you go with her, they might stop or suspect you. They won’t do that to me. It’s natural for me to want to see and rescue my son. I’m the best candidate because it makes sense for me to sacrifice myself for him.”After a short silence, Lily said, “You’re right.” She then looked at Alexander, who pondered before slowly raising his head and saying, “Me too.”Dominic tapped the table. "So do I."Cameron thought for a moment before saying, "I've no objections."Seeing this, Austin spread his arms and said, "Since you all agree, what else can I say? Let's do it!"It did not matter whether or not he agreed, but he just wanted to support Mike. The latter nodded and became emotional, saying, “Thanks, you guys!”"Why are you thanking us? Just be careful, and don’t be rash like you promised," Aust