Watching the little girl dance with excitement, Luca breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed he had guessed correctly this time; the gift was a hit. But…
"The gift can't be taken for free, okay? Can you help me with a little task?" Luca squatted down to look at the little one.
Immediately, Isla became alert. "What do you want me to help with? I need to think about it."
"Hehe," Luca couldn't help but chuckle. "Don’t worry; it won’t be too difficult. You just need to keep an eye on your mommy. If any other man tries to approach her, tell me right away, okay?"
Isla hesitated at this. Wouldn’t that be a betrayal to Mommy?
Seeing her uncertainty, Luca shook the toy Gundam in her hands. "If you agree to help me with this, I promise I’ll buy you the latest model when it comes out. How about that?"
In the end, Isla couldn't resist the temp
"Alright, I understand. Let’s not make this public for now."After hanging up the phone, Luca rubbed his temples.Isla, rubbing her eyes, came out of her room and saw Luca standing alone. She asked curiously, "Where’s Mommy? Why is she still in bed?"Luca wasn’t sure how to explain to Isla, so he vaguely said, "Isla, Mommy has something to take care of. Uncle will take you to kindergarten later, okay?"Isla pouted, a little unhappy, but didn’t refuse.After finishing breakfast, Luca first dropped Isla off at kindergarten before heading to the police station.Since it hadn’t been 24 hours yet, they couldn’t file a report. Luca could only describe Vanessa’s appearance to the police and ask them to keep an eye out for her.One of the officers on duty paused as he overheard their convers
Upon hearing this, Luca nodded, but he still had his doubts. After Beatriz left, he instructed his assistant to investigate the matter thoroughly.Meanwhile, Vanessa was starting to regain her senses as the effects of the drug wore off. She woke up to find everything around her pitch black.The sounds around her were chaotic. Vanessa strained to identify where she was and realized she was in a moving vehicle, swaying back and forth."Ahem," Vanessa cleared her throat and tentatively tried to communicate with the driver. "Mr. Land, I don’t know who sent you or what promises were made to you, but if you let me go, I can give you what she can—no, I’ll give you double.""Shut up! If you keep yelling, I’ll gag you," one of the men beside him said, clearly irritated.Undeterred, Vanessa pressed on, "Or just tell me what you want.""Shut up,
Bang!The door swung open as Grandpa Kensington stormed in, visibly furious. "Luca, what did you just say? Who were you talking to on the phone?"Seeing his grandfather had overheard, Luca decided to be straightforward."Grandpa, please calm down and let me explain.""What’s left to explain? Ezra is your son! How could you be so heartless as a father?!" Grandpa's anger shook his voice, and he coughed in frustration.Luca quickly helped him sit down and poured him a cup of water. Once Grandpa settled, Luca began to explain, "Grandpa, I’ve located Ezra. He’s safe; this kidnapper is just trying to extort us.""What?" Grandpa's eyes widened in surprise.It was a relief to know Ezra was unharmed, but the idea that someone dared to toy with The Kensingtons sent his temper flaring again."Do you know who&rs
Luca felt an overwhelming sense of unease as he drove along the route he remembered. To ensure his safety, he activated real-time location sharing and sent it to his assistant.His instincts were correct. The people who had kidnapped Vanessa were no ordinary criminals; they had a certain level of counter-surveillance skills. The moment he arrived at the location where Vanessa was last seen, he was surrounded.Facing a group of men holding various weapons, Luca understood their intentions and calmly got out of the car. He looked directly at the leader and asked, “Where is Vanessa?”“Heh, who the hell do you think you are?” the leader sneered, spitting out his cigarette. “You want to see her? I’ll gladly take you to her right now.”Before Luca could react, the men moved in to search him.As the sole heir of The Kensingtons and president of
When Luca opened his eyes again, he found himself lying on a hospital bed. Vanessa was dozing off at his bedside, while a little one sat nearby, engrossed in her mechanical toy.Isla? Vanessa even brought Isla here?*Seeing them there, a faint smile tugged at his lips, his heart inexplicably at ease. He reached out to gently stroke Vanessa’s face, and as the sunlight from the window brushed her features, the fine hairs on her skin seemed to glisten.It had been a long time since he'd seen her so peaceful, and he couldn’t look away.That was until a sharp-eyed little observer broke the silence, her voice piping up, “Uncle Luca, you’re awake!”“Shhh…” Luca quickly gestured for Isla to keep quiet, worried that she’d wake up Vanessa. But it was too late. Vanessa stirred, blinking blearily before her eyes widened in surprise at se
However, mentioning Leonardo seemed to have become a taboo for Mariah. As long as no one brought him up, everything was fine; but as soon as his name was mentioned, Mariah would revert to her silent, withdrawn state.Vanessa wasn’t sure if Leonardo had reached out to Mariah afterward, nor did she ask about their situation, especially since Luca still needed her care.In truth, Mariah didn’t want to hear Leonardo’s name anymore; whenever she did, it always brought back unpleasant memories.But then, something strange happened.For several days in a row, Mariah received mysterious gifts.Almost every day, the receptionist would look at her with a teasing smile. “Miss Hutchson, your boyfriend is so thoughtful. Even though you’re just on a business trip, he keeps sending you gifts.”Seeing the receptionist’s envious expre
When Mariah returned from her business trip, she was informed that Leonardo had been abroad the entire time and hadn’t returned.For some reason, she felt a pang of disappointment upon hearing this news. Before leaving, she had resolved not to let Leonardo’s actions affect her, but now… she hadn’t even seen him.Determined not to dwell in this uncertain emotional state, Mariah shifted her focus to work, immersing herself in tasks to keep her mind occupied.Meanwhile, under Vanessa’s care, Luca’s health gradually improved.His relationship with Isla grew closer, too.Sometimes, Vanessa would watch the two of them whispering to each other and couldn’t help but marvel at the bond of blood. Despite years of separation, they seemed to become familiar with each other almost instantly, even sharing little secrets behind her back.
Hearing the sound of keys jingling outside the door, Luca and Isla instantly switched from their playful banter to a more serious demeanor.The two had already agreed that to avoid raising Vanessa's suspicions, they needed to maintain their act once she returned.“Uncle Luca, you should take your medicine. Even if you don’t eat, you can’t skip your meds,” Isla urged, pushing the glass of water and the pills toward Luca.“I won’t take it. I’m not eating until your mommy comes back,” Luca stubbornly turned his head away, his tone defiant.When Vanessa walked in, she was met with this scene.“Why aren’t you taking your medicine?” Vanessa frowned, glancing at the table where the medicine lay.“Oh, you’re back!” Luca exclaimed, standing up with surprise upon seeing her.&nbs
Hearing the sound of keys jingling outside the door, Luca and Isla instantly switched from their playful banter to a more serious demeanor.The two had already agreed that to avoid raising Vanessa's suspicions, they needed to maintain their act once she returned.“Uncle Luca, you should take your medicine. Even if you don’t eat, you can’t skip your meds,” Isla urged, pushing the glass of water and the pills toward Luca.“I won’t take it. I’m not eating until your mommy comes back,” Luca stubbornly turned his head away, his tone defiant.When Vanessa walked in, she was met with this scene.“Why aren’t you taking your medicine?” Vanessa frowned, glancing at the table where the medicine lay.“Oh, you’re back!” Luca exclaimed, standing up with surprise upon seeing her.&nbs
When Mariah returned from her business trip, she was informed that Leonardo had been abroad the entire time and hadn’t returned.For some reason, she felt a pang of disappointment upon hearing this news. Before leaving, she had resolved not to let Leonardo’s actions affect her, but now… she hadn’t even seen him.Determined not to dwell in this uncertain emotional state, Mariah shifted her focus to work, immersing herself in tasks to keep her mind occupied.Meanwhile, under Vanessa’s care, Luca’s health gradually improved.His relationship with Isla grew closer, too.Sometimes, Vanessa would watch the two of them whispering to each other and couldn’t help but marvel at the bond of blood. Despite years of separation, they seemed to become familiar with each other almost instantly, even sharing little secrets behind her back.
However, mentioning Leonardo seemed to have become a taboo for Mariah. As long as no one brought him up, everything was fine; but as soon as his name was mentioned, Mariah would revert to her silent, withdrawn state.Vanessa wasn’t sure if Leonardo had reached out to Mariah afterward, nor did she ask about their situation, especially since Luca still needed her care.In truth, Mariah didn’t want to hear Leonardo’s name anymore; whenever she did, it always brought back unpleasant memories.But then, something strange happened.For several days in a row, Mariah received mysterious gifts.Almost every day, the receptionist would look at her with a teasing smile. “Miss Hutchson, your boyfriend is so thoughtful. Even though you’re just on a business trip, he keeps sending you gifts.”Seeing the receptionist’s envious expre
When Luca opened his eyes again, he found himself lying on a hospital bed. Vanessa was dozing off at his bedside, while a little one sat nearby, engrossed in her mechanical toy.Isla? Vanessa even brought Isla here?*Seeing them there, a faint smile tugged at his lips, his heart inexplicably at ease. He reached out to gently stroke Vanessa’s face, and as the sunlight from the window brushed her features, the fine hairs on her skin seemed to glisten.It had been a long time since he'd seen her so peaceful, and he couldn’t look away.That was until a sharp-eyed little observer broke the silence, her voice piping up, “Uncle Luca, you’re awake!”“Shhh…” Luca quickly gestured for Isla to keep quiet, worried that she’d wake up Vanessa. But it was too late. Vanessa stirred, blinking blearily before her eyes widened in surprise at se
Luca felt an overwhelming sense of unease as he drove along the route he remembered. To ensure his safety, he activated real-time location sharing and sent it to his assistant.His instincts were correct. The people who had kidnapped Vanessa were no ordinary criminals; they had a certain level of counter-surveillance skills. The moment he arrived at the location where Vanessa was last seen, he was surrounded.Facing a group of men holding various weapons, Luca understood their intentions and calmly got out of the car. He looked directly at the leader and asked, “Where is Vanessa?”“Heh, who the hell do you think you are?” the leader sneered, spitting out his cigarette. “You want to see her? I’ll gladly take you to her right now.”Before Luca could react, the men moved in to search him.As the sole heir of The Kensingtons and president of
Bang!The door swung open as Grandpa Kensington stormed in, visibly furious. "Luca, what did you just say? Who were you talking to on the phone?"Seeing his grandfather had overheard, Luca decided to be straightforward."Grandpa, please calm down and let me explain.""What’s left to explain? Ezra is your son! How could you be so heartless as a father?!" Grandpa's anger shook his voice, and he coughed in frustration.Luca quickly helped him sit down and poured him a cup of water. Once Grandpa settled, Luca began to explain, "Grandpa, I’ve located Ezra. He’s safe; this kidnapper is just trying to extort us.""What?" Grandpa's eyes widened in surprise.It was a relief to know Ezra was unharmed, but the idea that someone dared to toy with The Kensingtons sent his temper flaring again."Do you know who&rs
Upon hearing this, Luca nodded, but he still had his doubts. After Beatriz left, he instructed his assistant to investigate the matter thoroughly.Meanwhile, Vanessa was starting to regain her senses as the effects of the drug wore off. She woke up to find everything around her pitch black.The sounds around her were chaotic. Vanessa strained to identify where she was and realized she was in a moving vehicle, swaying back and forth."Ahem," Vanessa cleared her throat and tentatively tried to communicate with the driver. "Mr. Land, I don’t know who sent you or what promises were made to you, but if you let me go, I can give you what she can—no, I’ll give you double.""Shut up! If you keep yelling, I’ll gag you," one of the men beside him said, clearly irritated.Undeterred, Vanessa pressed on, "Or just tell me what you want.""Shut up,
"Alright, I understand. Let’s not make this public for now."After hanging up the phone, Luca rubbed his temples.Isla, rubbing her eyes, came out of her room and saw Luca standing alone. She asked curiously, "Where’s Mommy? Why is she still in bed?"Luca wasn’t sure how to explain to Isla, so he vaguely said, "Isla, Mommy has something to take care of. Uncle will take you to kindergarten later, okay?"Isla pouted, a little unhappy, but didn’t refuse.After finishing breakfast, Luca first dropped Isla off at kindergarten before heading to the police station.Since it hadn’t been 24 hours yet, they couldn’t file a report. Luca could only describe Vanessa’s appearance to the police and ask them to keep an eye out for her.One of the officers on duty paused as he overheard their convers
Watching the little girl dance with excitement, Luca breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed he had guessed correctly this time; the gift was a hit. But…"The gift can't be taken for free, okay? Can you help me with a little task?" Luca squatted down to look at the little one.Immediately, Isla became alert. "What do you want me to help with? I need to think about it.""Hehe," Luca couldn't help but chuckle. "Don’t worry; it won’t be too difficult. You just need to keep an eye on your mommy. If any other man tries to approach her, tell me right away, okay?"Isla hesitated at this. Wouldn’t that be a betrayal to Mommy?Seeing her uncertainty, Luca shook the toy Gundam in her hands. "If you agree to help me with this, I promise I’ll buy you the latest model when it comes out. How about that?"In the end, Isla couldn't resist the temp