He could not imagine the days to come.He understood what Alexander meant by his last sentence. Was this his way of inviting Ralph over to the Russell Estate to talk things out? Were they still willing to give him a way out?Although he was doubtful, Ralph could not help but want to head over there."I want to go back to the Russell Estate," Ralph said as he gently pried away her hand.Hannah, who was initially delighted, widened her eyes in shock. "Have you lost your mind?! They kicked you out. Your mother doesn't want you anymore. Why do you want to go back? Are you going back there to get yourself humiliated?" "No, I just want to confirm some things," he replied, lowering his gaze."What do you want to confirm?! That you're not her son? That she betrayed you and made you what you are now?!" Hannah reached out to hug him from behind. "I understand how you feel. I understand the desire for your family's affection all too well. However, I also understand that familial ties mean
Ralph knew that he couldn't reason with her, so he could only listen to what she said. Hannah had grown up in an odd environment. She was different from the average person. Ever since she was a child, she had grown up in a distorted environment where she was forced to have no friends, no classmates, and no family around her. To her, being isolated on an island was no big deal.After so many years, she finally had a taste of what it felt like to have a relationship with someone, and that someone was Ralph. She was not going to let him go.To her, he was the only thing that she could hold onto. She used to be a piece of driftwood floating in the ocean. Now, once she managed to hop onto a small boat, she was desperately holding onto it. Otherwise, she might be lost again in the bottomless abyss. She might not be able to go ashore again.This paranoia of hers was starting to suffocate Ralph.…Margaret was hospitalized.She was getting on with age. After getting stimulated one afte
Margaret did not refute as tears kept flowing down her face. She didn't know what to say.He was right. It was Margaret who made the last call. However, there was nothing she could do about it. If she had planned it from the start, she would not have encouraged him to fight for the Russell family. That way, maybe none of this would have happened.In the beginning, when Hugo said that the Russell family must be handed over to Alexander, Margaret was unhappy. She even argued with Hugo over it. Now, it was too late for any regrets. If only she had listened, she wouldn't have blindly spoiled her son like this. That way, maybe things would have had a different ending.However, no one could turn back time. Whatever she was suffering from was a form of punishment that she had accepted.Celine came in and immediately rushed over to push Ralph aside in shock. "What are you doing here?! Don't you think you've done enough damage?!""I've done enough damage?" Ralph sneered. "She was the one
Lily knew her words would not comfort Alexander, but it was better than nothing.Alexander held her hand tightly, pulled her to sit on the bench nearby, and slowly said, "She's old."Lily was taken aback by this."I used to think Grandma was always so full of spirit that she would always do anything to go against me. Grandma would help my uncle and pull some strings behind my back. However, I always tolerated it because she’s my grandmother at the end of the day," he continued unhurriedly. His eyes were staring into the distance as if recalling the past.Lily did not interrupt him. It was rare that he was in the mood to talk."Grandpa told me back when he was alive that although Grandma had her shortcomings, her heart for my grandfather was true. She also dedicated herself to the entire family. With these two sentences, I firmly believe that no matter how much Grandma took, she would not let the family fall apart." At this point, he stopped and sighed.Lily had always known that
“I don't know what their relationship is, but one thing for sure is that the Heather currently at the Riggs Manor is not the real one.” Alexander had confirmed this after a visit.He had gone to the Riggs Manor two days ago, firstly to try and persuade Ralph one last time and secondly to confirm his suspicion."So, you're saying the Heather at the Riggs Manor is the one we met at the hotel that day?"Alexander laughed. ‘My wife is brilliant!’"It all makes sense now! No wonder her demeanor and temperament that day were completely different. No matter how much you look like someone, you'll still have your differences. Still, why does Heather need a doppelganger? What is she planning?" Lily could not understand why one would find a counterpart to take one's place.Where did the real Heather go if the woman at the Riggs Manor was a fraud?“Were we mistaken the whole time, and that’s the real Heather?” Alexander frowned and thought about it for a while. He wondered if the real Heathe
It was already dark when Ralph returned to the Riggs Manor. Images of his mother getting pushed into the emergency room filled his mind. He had gone out for drinks to drown them out and was stumbling into the house, drunk.As soon as he entered the door, Hannah was already waiting for him with a darkened expression. When she noticed he was drunk, she became even more unhappy. "Why are you back so late? I've called you so many times. Why didn't you answer my calls?""I didn't hear it." He had been drinking at a bar. The loud music blocked out any sounds from his phone, and he did not bother to check it either."Where did you go? Did you visit that woman again? She doesn't want you anymore. Why do you keep wanting to see her?!" Hannah was furious.She already had a rough idea of where he went. She was upset after hearing that he had dropped by the hospital today. Now that he was home late and drunk, she was about to lose her mind.Hannah was secretly delighted after the Russell fami
"I…" Ralph was at a loss for words for a moment before he continued in a deep voice. "I know. I just don't feel good.""Then, cry. You can be vulnerable in front of me!" Hannah said while hugging him lightly, nestling in his chest. …Early the following day, Ralph was still asleep when he heard loud commotions from downstairs. He got up and went to the balcony to look, but all he saw were the maids running around. He had no idea what they were busy with, and voices continued to come from downstairs.In the end, he put on his clothes and hurried down. Then he saw a few maids covering up the sofa and coffee table with pieces of cloth. He quickly stopped one of them and asked, "What are you doing?" "Ms. Riggs said that no one will be living here for a long time, so she got us to cover everything up and wait for her next orders.""A long time…" His head was still hurting from his hangover, but he vaguely remembered what Hannah had said. She told him they would leave tomorrow,
Hearing the movement, Hannah turned her head and saw Ralph standing behind her. "Did I wake you?"She spoke again when she noticed that he was just numbly standing there. "Well, right on time. Come and take one last look at her before I send her to her death."Heather panted by her bedside for a moment before raising her head and flashing a bloody smile. Her gaze was filled with mockery. This upset Hannah. "Why are you smiling?" "I find your stupidity amusing." As Heather laughed, she continued, "Do you really think he likes you?""Of course!" Hannah spat confidently. She had asked him many times, and his answers were always affirmative—that he loved her. Of course, he loved her! "How ridiculous. Why don't you take a good look in the mirror? Which part of you is worthy of love? Look at yourself. You have nothing but a face like mine!" Heather jeered, scrutinizing Hannah with disdain. "You're not smart, nor are you good at kickboxing. After doing a few simple things, do you r
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