Ralph wanted to get out of there quickly. He did not know where to go, but he at least knew he could not stay since it would suffocate him and constantly remind him of his failure.He still could not accept why things had turned out this way and felt his head was full yet empty. He did not know what to think.Nobody was in the courtyard since everyone had dispersed after the drama. Ralph felt like a monkey on the stage performing a great show. He clenched his fists and gnashed his teeth while condensing his breath.At this moment, he caught a glimpse of a figure from the corner of his eye. Hannah had not left and was standing there looking at him quietly.Still, it did not make him feel better, but even more annoyed. He thought “Heather” was going to laugh at him, so he sneered, “Why haven't you left? Are you here to laugh at me?""I'm not." She shook her head lightly as she behaved calmly.Since she showed no signs of sarcasm and did not seem to be lying, it astounded Ralph sinc
"I'll contact you when the time comes." Hannah tiptoed and whispered beside his ear, "Wait for me."Ralph looked at “Heather” in shock as if he had just met her.Hannah bit her lower lip and whispered again, "Trust me, I'm Annie."After “Heather” finished her sentence, she thought a while and tiptoed again to kiss Ralph's cheek lightly, then immediately turned and strode away.Ralph was dumbfounded. He touched his cheek after Heather was entirely out of sight and wondered if he was hallucinating. However, the key in his hand reminded him that everything was not a dream.‘Why did she not hit or laugh at me if I’m not hallucinating? Instead, Heather kissed me and provided shelter for me,’ Ralph looked at the key and thought, ‘Is this another one of her tricks? Annie?’At first, he thought it was a sweet nickname between them. “Heather” would become gentle and obedient within seconds if he called her Annie, but since the last two times did not work and she even beat him up, he no lo
Heather was still sleeping when Hannah returned. Heather seemed to be sleeping longer and longer recently, and her complexion had worsened. However, she never liked visiting the doctor because she thought it was a disgrace for a year-round kickboxer who rarely got sick to do so.Even if she were ill, it would be minor and heal in no time. Like now, Heather slept more, rested well, and then exercised to recover quickly.Knowing that Heather would ask questions, Hannah was in no hurry to wake her and slowly made soup. She would prepare some soup for Heather to nourish her body almost every two days. After drinking it, Heather would indeed feel better.Today Hannah stewed some lotus root bone soup. Its fresh and sweet aroma permeated the room, and after a while, Heather woke up to ask Hannah to go upstairs.Hannah filled a bowl of soup before leaving. "Heather, I just made soup. You can drink a bowl to make your stomach feel better.""Put it there first!" Heather signaled with her ch
Hannah shook her head and said, "No, from my perspective, life is impermanent. People may say how much they love you, but in the end, they push you into the abyss. Compared with these people, you’re the best. “If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have lived this long. I can peacefully live even if you don't say you love me.""It's good that you think so! Remember, it's not easy for people to live in peace, especially you! Without me, you would’ve died long ago!" Heather smiled menacingly.Hannah would have perished long ago due to the Riggs family curse if Heather had not kept her for other reasons."That's right!" Hannah gave her a respectful, submissive look while her eyes revealed fear. It seemed this trip to the Russell Estate had shocked her, but that was good too. The trip was not in vain if it could make her realize and continue to be loyal to Heather."By the way, I told you to let him down. Did you tell him?" Heather took the bowl of soup next to her and began to drink it.
At the Russell Estate, the doctor confirmed that Margaret had only passed out due to grief and should be fine. However, he advised that she should not be agitated further as she was no longer young.After ensuring that the doctor checked everything, Lily left the older woman in Celine’s care. After all, a pregnant woman like Lily should not overwork herself.In the living area, Alexander propped his head with one hand and tapped on his laptop screen while saying something. Then he lifted his head, put the laptop aside, and went to hold Lily’s arm. “You must be tired, huh? I told the kitchen staff to prepare fresh ginger tea for you. Have some and go upstairs to rest. I also told the housekeepers to tidy up the room. Let’s make do with it for today, okay?”“Your uncle hasn’t returned yet?” Ralph had not returned since he left in the afternoon, and there was no way to reach him because his phone was off. Lily supposed he did not want to see them for the time being.“He needs time
“My second uncle was only 18 when he died. It was a sudden death. The car brakes failed, and he fell off the cliff,” Alexander calmly spoke as if relating the news. “Later on, when my third uncle was around 25, he drowned while diving because the oxygen tank malfunctioned. Then my youngest uncle…” He turned to look at Lily and paused. He cocked his head, thought for a moment, and continued, “I meant my real youngest uncle. He fell sick and died due to congenital disabilities shortly after birth. I heard he died in Grandpa’s arms.”Hearing this, Lily suddenly caught on. “So your grandpa switched him with Ralph?” Alexander nodded. “Grandma was devastated by the deaths of my second and third uncles. She didn’t like my mom but didn’t get involved too much because even though my dad survived, he was not in good health.“She would be unable to cope with her youngest son’s death. He was born three years before me, and as you can imagine, grandma wasn’t young anymore and risked her lif
Alexander had not maintained his position in the Russell family for so many years solely to Hugo’s help.Having heard what he said, Lily thought about something. “There was something fishy about your second and third uncles' deaths.”Both were young when one fell off the cliff and the other drowned. The youngest uncle died after birth, while Alex’s father had always been sickly. If it was a single case, it might simply be bad luck, but everything seemed too coincidental that a family would suffer so much.“It’s fishy, all right.” Alexander nodded as traces of ruthlessness showed in his eyes. “How could so many bad things happen to us? Having a long history, the Russells have a huge influence and might have been targeted by those who envy us or by our enemies.”Probably thinking of something, he did not finish what he was going to say and simply grew solemn.Lily pitied her husband and palmed his cheeks. “It hasn’t been easy for you, has it?”Besides getting through various intern
As for Ralph, Alexander would put the matter aside for two days and see what Margaret wished to do later.…Ralph drove around aimlessly and pulled over by the curb when his car almost ran out of gas. It was midnight, and the starless sky was dark. Several food trucks by the roadside were serving midnight snacks, and Ralph’s stomach growled as he took in the appetizing smells.He got out of his car and took a seat at a table. “I’d like three sets of bacon cheeseburgers and a dozen beers.”The owner took the order and returned shortly with the food and beer. He had a respite from all his trouble and humiliation as he gobbled down his burgers and drank his beer alone. No one knew or noticed him in the boisterous crowd.He got slightly drunk when he finished more than half of his beer. As he drank, he suddenly became overwhelmed with sadness, thinking nobody truly cared about him.‘No one has bothered to call me even though I’ve been away for so long. All the talk about how much Mom