After a few years of training, my trainer told my grandpa to take me home and said there was nothing else he could teach me. Before I left, he gave me a box of meditation books and asked me to read them whenever I was free.”At that time, Alexander stopped for a moment before continuing, “After reading more of these books, I gradually understood that the key to kickboxing is strengthening the mind. No matter how important the moves are, our minds are most important. From these meditation books, we can sometimes find answers for kickboxing and business skills.”Hearing what he said, Lily said half-jokingly, “In other words, you almost became a Zen master at teaching meditation.”If Alexander did, he probably would not have met her. To her surprise, Alexander nodded thoughtfully. “Well, I almost did.”Laughing, she playfully swatted at him. Now, Lily related what Alexander told her to Heather. Shocked, the latter became speechless for a long time as her face flushed and then pale
“You’re poisoned?” Cocking her head with a frown, Lily sized the woman up and made her conclusion.Heather did not deny it and nodded slightly. Almost no one knew about her being poisoned, and it would be dangerous for her if her enemies were to find out about it. Chump knew about the danger and had kept quiet. Thus, he was surprised that Heather would let Lily know about it. After thinking for a moment, Lily connected the dots and came to another conclusion. “The one who poisoned you is your twin sister, right?”Shocked, Heather suddenly looked up at her. “How did you know?”Apart from Chump, only Ralph knew about Hannah poisoning her. However, Chump would never tell anyone, and Lily could not have learned about it. With a sigh, Lily said, “It’s not hard to guess. It would be hard to poison someone as alert as you, and the only person who could do so had to be someone you trusted and did not guard against. Considering that your twin sister kept showing up before us when you w
Heather threw him a look of disdain. “Frankly speaking, I have no idea what Hannah sees in you. How is she attracted to a man like you?”“Yes, I’m a good-for-nothing, so I’m not capable of harming you. Please let me go!” After a pause, he looked at Lily. “Lily-no, I mean Mrs. Russell or Ms. Christian, you’re here to save me, right? You’re here to take me back to the Russell Estate, right? No matter what, my mom won’t abandon me, right?”Lily sighed inwardly, seeing him act like a coward. ‘Alexander has never been so fearful in the face of death. He’s always calm and steady as if everything is under his control, and his presence has a reassuring effect on people around him.’ ‘It’s no wonder Ralph is not a member of the Russell family. He and Alex have nothing in common.’Looking at him, Lily said blandly, “Grandma’s ill and in bad shape. The doctor says she could not be agitated further.”Thanks to him, the older woman had suffered blows multiple times, and her heart could hard
“Then what do you say I let both of you go and give you the freedom you want?” Heather continued.Hannah widened her eyes in disbelief. “What evil schemes are you up to? Tell me what you want, and stop beating around the bush!”Lily did not comprehend what Heather was planning to do either. However, knowing that Heather must have her reasons, Lily said nothing and sat quietly aside.“I’m being serious. Since you like Ralph so much, don’t you want to leave and spend the rest of your life with him?” Heather’s offer was tempting.Even though Hannah thought it was a trap, she was willing to take the risk. She turned to look at Ralph, then furrowed her brows to look over at her sister. “Say it. Name your conditions.”After growing up together, she knew Heather as well as herself. ‘She would never be so kind and let us off unconditionally. Her offer must come with terms.’Heather nodded with a half-smile. “My terms are simple. First, you are to sever your ties with the Riggs family, an
“Annie, don’t be rash!” Ralph tried to dissuade her.Hannah shook her head, held his hand, and said, “Even without my arms, I still have legs, eyes, and a mouth. We’ll find a way to make a living. I don’t care as long as I’m with you.” “But…”“You’re such a romantic, aren’t you?” Heather snorted and said, “However, have you thought it through? I’ll kick you out of the Riggs family, and you’ll lose your arms while your beloved man is broke. How will you survive later without your bread and butter?”“You know nothing about love. You’ll never understand!” Hannah was indifferent. Heather looked at Chump, and a glinting knife dropped onto the floor with a clang.“You agreed so readily. You think you can reattach your arms after I cut them off?”Lily frowned as she looked at the knife, which she knew was sharpened, judging by its blade. She turned her gaze to Heather and saw her severe, unblinking expression.“I’ll do it myself!” Hannah exclaimed and bent over to pick up the knife.
“I know you too well. After you chop off his leg, you’re going to do something else. You never wanted to give us freedom or let me go. I don’t want to leave then. Just kill me!” Hannah looked like she was ready to sacrifice herself.Heather stared at Ralph quietly, but he simply looked down without a word and had no intention of saying anything.“Aren’t you two in love? Won’t you give up anything for each other? I’ve given you a chance, and you can’t bear to sacrifice a leg?” Heather mocked and directed her words to Ralph.“Uncle Ralph,” Lily said, “Hannah is willing to sacrifice so much for you. Aren’t you going to say something?”“What do you want me to say?” Ralph looked up at Lily and emphasized his every word, almost angry. “What should I say?! That I’m okay to have my leg chopped off? Sorry, I’m not!”“As winners, you guys act all high and mighty and treat people like dirt. Now I have nothing, yet you still want to chop off my leg. How will I make a living without my leg? Wi
“Hannah!” Heather sat up in alarm, wanting to stop her. Shocked, Lily tried to do the same but was too late. No one had expected that she would suddenly do that. Worried for her safety, Chump threw himself before Heather to protect her.With the blade plunged deep into her stomach, a look of pain lingered briefly on Hannah’s face before she started to laugh. Unknitting her brow, she let out a hearty laugh before tumbling aside. “Hannah!” Heather rushed over and held her up, but being too weak, she almost fell together, if not for Chump’s support. “Hannah! You wretched girl, are you nuts? Is it worth dying for such a man? Is it?” She shouted in shock, anger, and even anguish. Lying in Heather's arms, Hannah laughed happily. Holding down the hilt with one hand, she lifted another and saw her palm covered with blood. “I’m so happy. I’m finally free and no longer a shadow of yours.” She turned her head to Ralph and said weakly,” Ralphy… You don’t have to feel distressed anymor
Surprised, Ralph took a moment to respond, but Lily had turned to leave without waiting for his answer. Chump drove while Heather sat in the backseat, holding Hannah in her arms. The younger sister’s breathing was so weak that it might stop at any time. “You wretched girl, don’t die on me, okay? You can’t die without my permission, do you hear me?” She muttered threateningly, “If you dare to die, I won’t let you off easily. Do you hear me? You’re not allowed to die!”However, Hannah neither yielded nor defied her this time. She simply gave no response.Driving solemnly, Chump glanced in the rearview mirror and was shocked. Heather had always been calm and did not even cry, even when seriously hurt. However, she was weeping now, and her beads of tears were falling onto Hannah’s face.As Lily emerged from the gate, Alexander hurried over, having sensed something was not right. “What’s the matter? Heather’s car just left. Why did she leave you here?”He was so worried that he al