Her world was crumbling under the betrayal of her fiance and sister, spurred on by her parents’ favoritism, when he appeared before her. He was her guardian angel in her darkest hour. This man could change the Brookville city’s destiny with just a glance, yet he chose her. “"Marry me. I'll bring you unimaginable happiness!" After marriage: "Sir, her elder sister's been terrible to her!" “Get that agency contract signed and make my wife the boss instead!" "Sir, your grandfather is offering the lady money to leave you!" "Did she take it?" "Yes, but she claims it's not nearly enough!" "Well, then let's double it," he said, pausing thoughtfully. "Get the extra from Granddad." "Sir, everyone’s whispering about how she's not good enough for you!" "Well, they've got it wrong. It's me who strives to be worthy of her presence." As time went on, all of Brookville came to know of Charles Hoffman and the wife he cherished beyond reason, doting on her to the point of wild abandon. However, not a single one of them knew about that fateful summer day she leaped into his embrace under the rustling trees. In that moment, their love was sealed for eternity.
View More"Ms. Shrill, just came from the hospital, I see?" Grant's words caused Shirley to immediately straighten as her sharp gaze landed on him. "You've been following me?""Do I need to follow you, Ms. Shrill?" Grant replied with a faint smile. His demeanor was infuriatingly calm. Shirley's frustration surged at his composed appearance. "What exactly do you want?""Nothing much, just pleased to see you doing so well these days.""You… Grant, you're trying to get revenge on me, aren't you?" Shirley trembled with anger. "I've told you before, I didn't destroy your family. Those rumors out there are nothing but lies.""Did I say you destroyed my family?" Grant's gaze lifted, his eyes so cold that Shirley could not suppress the chill running down her spine."I…""My father's flight lands here today. Care to guess why he's coming?""How would I know?" Shirley's lips trembled as she spoke, her eyes still avoiding his.Grant let out a derisive laugh. "You'll understand when you see him soon
Shirley left, fleeing in utter disarray. She admitted to herself that she completely fell apart in facing Noelle.Compared to Kelly, Noelle was undoubtedly the colder and more ruthless one. Shirley could not fathom how someone could separate emotions from reason so efficiently.After stumbling out of the hospital, Shirley wandered aimlessly along the streets. She did not know where she wanted to go or where she could even go. Despite the vastness of the world, there was not a single place for her.Suddenly, a car stopped in front of Shirley. A man fixed his gaze on her wandering figure inside of it."Sir?"Grant stared at Shirley with a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Stop the car."The car stopped about 300 feet ahead of Shirley. The door opened, and the man stepped out, his long legs moving forward with precision.Grant adjusted the buttons on his suit jacket and glanced down toward Shirley, who was still staggering forward. Kresten followed behind him, saying, "Sir, the CEO
"It shouldn't be anything serious," Sean remarked nonchalantly. His lack of concern for Shirley was evident. He could not muster any sympathy for her. He patted Charles on the shoulder. "Want to talk?"Charles nodded. "I'll find you in a bit.""Alright! I've got some things to handle anyway."After Sean left, Charles and Noelle exchanged a glance. Charles reached out and gently squeezed Noelle's hand. She responded with a reassuring smile before walking over to Shirley, who was sitting on the floor and staring blankly ahead as if Noelle did not even exist.Noelle noticed Shirley's lips moving silently, as though she was muttering something incomprehensible.She crouched down to meet Shirley's gaze. Shirley's eyes suddenly widened in alarm, and she scrambled back a few steps as her face paled with fear. "D-Don't come near me," she stammered.Noelle frowned. "Shirley?"Shirley froze momentarily, her vacant stare flickering with recognition. She blinked, and her thoughts snapped ba
Noelle paused, then said, "I'll just sit over there."She pointed to the seat next to Yisroel. Yisroel, who was already looking utterly exhausted, perked up when he heard her. He waved eagerly. "Noelle, come over here!"Noelle tugged at the corners of her mouth in a faint smile and walked over. "Hey, Grandpa."Yisroel froze for a moment, seemingly stunned. He glanced around at everyone present, then back at Noelle as if confirming what he had just heard.When he saw her gentle smile, his eyes welled up with tears. "Hey there."Hayes and the other Smith siblings exchanged surprised glances, clearly taken aback by Noelle's change in attitude. As they watched her calm demeanor, they began to assume that she had accepted them.Charles' bright eyes lingered on Noelle and the Smith family. Then, he smiled slightly, reached out, and gently stroked Noelle's hair. "Are you tired?" His voice was soft.Noelle shook her head. "I'm not tired.""Alright."The surgery lasted about two hours
"He's still in the operating room!" Hayes rubbed his temples, then patted Sean's shoulder. "Why are you here?""With something this serious happening to Uncle Harrison, how could I not come? But…" Sean's gaze shifted to Fran and Shirley. "What exactly happened?"Shirley appeared completely dazed, unsure of why she was even at the hospital. This could have been the perfect opportunity to escape the Smith family and Harrison, yet she stayed.Fran glanced at Shirley's distraught expression before turning back. "Mr. Harrison's heart hasn't been in good condition for years. He sustained a serious injury over 20 years ago—right in the area of his heart. That time, he suffered massive blood loss and nearly died on the operating table."It was only thanks to his strong will to live that he pulled through, but ever since then, his heart has been weak, and he requires long-term medication. The doctors warned that he couldn't endure stress; otherwise, the episodes would become more frequent."
The other members of the Smith family frowned at the sight of Harrison's expression. "Harrison!"Harrison, however, kept his gaze fixed on Shirley. "You chose to be with me back then. You said it was for life, Madison!"Shirley's heart clenched painfully. She did not dare look into Harrison's eyes. Clenching her fists tightly, she turned her head away and bit down hard on her lower lip."Look me in the eye, Madison. I don't believe it—I don't believe you've forgotten.""Ha, what's so hard to believe?" Shirley closed her eyes briefly as if recalling something. When she looked up again, her eyes were devoid of any sorrow, replaced by a cold indifference as she stared at Harrison."Don't you remember? That Madison is dead—murdered. And one of the killers was you. The person standing here now is just an empty shell. I'm Shirley now, just Shirley."Shirley stepped closer to Harrison, her gaze unwavering. Raising a trembling hand, she gently touched Harrison's strong, resolute face—the
Yisroel, having just stepped off the plane, immediately heard about the situation from his daughter-in-law. He ordered his people to find out where Harrison was dining without delay and rushed over as soon as he got the address. "Just look at you! At your age, you're still running around doing God knows what! You're completely irresponsible!""Dad!" Harrison frowned. "What have I done that's irresponsible?""How dare you ask me this? You left for Capiton 25 years ago. What exactly have you been up to there?" Yisroel's frustration flared as he glared at Harrison."Don't think I'm clueless about your antics. I just didn't want to waste my energy dealing with you. Let me make this clear—Noelle must be acknowledged and brought back into the Smith family. That's non-negotiable. As for that woman, Shirley, she'll never be accepted by us—ever!"Yisroel's tone was resolute and left no room for debate. "If you insist on clinging to that woman, don't blame me for casting you out and cutting
Harrison's face briefly showed a flicker of disappointment, but he managed a smile and said, "Alright, I won't pressure you. If you change your mind and decide to acknowledge me one day, you're always welcome to come to the Smiths.""Mr. Smith!" Noelle suddenly called out. "I'm your daughter, and Kelly is the daughter of Flynn Anderson from Capiton. Am I correct?"Harrison froze at her words, his entire body stiffening.He clenched his fists tightly. Noelle could feel the tense hostility emanating from him though he remained composed, keeping his emotions in check."I don't know the exact nature of your past relationship with Shirley, nor do I wish to know how things might unfold between you two in the future," Noelle said evenly. "But let me make one thing clear. Even if I someday decide to acknowledge you, I'll never acknowledge her."Noelle stood up. "It's getting late. You should head back."With that, she left. She joined Charles and Anna, who were waiting for her at the doo
Sean chuckled. "Charles, come outside and spar with me."Charles narrowed his eyes and glanced at Noelle. Seeing her give him a reassuring nod, he rose from his seat and scooped Anna into his arms.Once Charles and Sean stepped out, the expansive private room suddenly felt quiet and empty, leaving only Harrison and Noelle.All of Harrison's usual sternness seemed to dissolve in Noelle's presence. He shifted uneasily in his chair, and his posture betrayed his discomfort. "Noelle—""Mr. Smith," Noelle interrupted, her tone calm but firm. She pressed her lips together before continuing, "I understand what you wish to say. I'm glad the Smith family members seem to like me very much."Harrison nodded. There was a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "They really do like you.""But Mr. Smith, just because they like me doesn't mean I can casually call someone my grandparents, uncles, or aunts.""We're your family, Noelle," Harrison said earnestly.Noelle lifted her head, her gaze unwavering.
Autumn had painted Brookville in shades of gold and crimson when Noelle Shaw stepped off the plane. She grabbed her suitcase and walked out into the crisp air, a familiar sense of home wrapping around her.A whole year had passed since she left to pursue a corporate training program overseas, and now, she was back just in time.Her third anniversary with her boyfriend Xavier Harris was just days away, and she had been working nonstop to make it back early enough to surprise him.She hailed a cab and headed straight for Xavier's office. The moment she walked through the front doors, Alice, the receptionist, gave her a look of total shock. "Ms. Shaw? You’re back? Are you here for the CEO's engagement party?"Noelle's brow creased in confusion. "The CEO's engagement party? What are you talking about, Alice?""It's Mr. Harris's engagement party with your sister!""What?" Noelle's heart skipped a beat, and the happiness drained from her face. "Whose engagement party?"Alice seemed to...
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