Noelle had always thought Charles was remarkably skilled in this field, but she had not expected Grant to surpass him in certain ways. Perhaps Charles had held back out of consideration for her.By the time the negotiations ended, Noelle felt utterly drained.Brian had to leave due to an urgent matter, so Noelle decided to extend a gesture of hospitality by inviting Grant for a meal. Initially, she intended to take him to Bamboo Grove House, but Grant declined. "I've heard the food stalls near Brookville's Vista University are quite good."Noelle paused in mild surprise before breaking into a smile. "They're decent. I graduated from Vista University, and the street food there was a big part of my student life. Are you curious to try it out?"Grant's eyes glimmered slightly before he responded with a smile, "Having spent most of my early years studying abroad, I never had the chance to experience campus life in the country. If you don't mind, may I join you for a stroll through the
The executive giving the report could not help but let out a simple response before resuming, looking utterly bewildered. He did not even know what he had just said, let alone how he managed to sit back down afterward.Meanwhile, Noelle, having just sent her text, had not yet put away her phone when she saw Charles' replies.She burst out laughing. Staring at the string of emojis Charles had sent, she found it both amusing and exasperating.This man! He always claimed not to get jealous, yet here he was, his jealousy practically going through the roof.It was just a meal with Grant. She had invited plenty of people out for meals before, but Charles had never reacted like this.Noelle realized that ever since Charles started using WhatsApp, his proficiency with emojis had reached a whole new level. Sometimes, he used gifs that she rarely touched, wielding them with surprising ease.For a grown man like him to use such adorable emojis, only one phrase came to Noelle's mind—a man of
When Kelly's name was mentioned, Grant's expression stiffened slightly. He responded calmly, "She's not a Brookville native and isn't familiar with the area. Besides, Brookville has changed significantly in recent years. I was worried she might get lost, so I told her to stay in the hotel."Noelle was at a loss for words."What is it?" Grant glanced at her, noticing her reaction. "Ms. Shaw, do you have something to say?"Noelle shook her head. She could not quite understand Grant's attitude toward Kelly. Logically speaking, even if they were not full siblings, they were still family. Noelle had assumed Grant would come to Brookville to support Kelly, yet he seemed to be helping her instead.Perhaps Grant had realized he would not gain anything and had given up on Kelly? Otherwise, why did he wait until now to intervene?Grant pressed his lips together just as his phone rang. It was his assistant, Kresten."Mr. Anderson, Ms. Anderson is insisting on leaving. We can't stop her anym
"I... Grant, you can't treat me like this! I'm your sister! Why won't you help me, but you're willing to help that vile woman, Noelle?" Kelly shrieked."I'll say it one more time—there's no possibility between you and Charles. If Charles had even the slightest bit of affection for you, you wouldn't be in this situation today. You were by Charles' side for years. Surely, you know that when he decides to protect someone, no one else can interfere."Kelly's face turned pale. Her expression soured as she held Seth tightly in her arms. She opened her mouth, wanting to refute Grant, but no words came. She knew there was no arguing with what he had said."You see? Even you know the distance between you and Charles. If you truly had deep feelings for him back then, this child wouldn't exist!""I… How do you know Seth..." Kelly trailed off, her voice faltering. Seeing Grant's icy smile, she dared not say more."Now, go back to your room. Or I'll have Kresten book you a ticket back to Capit
"Impossible?" Grant's icy gaze fixed on Kelly. "When Charles met Noelle, where were you? Do you really think Charles' feelings for Noelle over six months could have developed this deeply?"Kelly's face went pale instantly. She staggered back two steps, her back colliding with the couch. Her hands gripped the armrest tightly, and she clenched her teeth. "You're lying. How could you possibly know this? You're lying to me, aren't you?""Why would I lie to you? Before I came, I already investigated everything. If Charles had even the slightest affection for you, I wouldn't hesitate to help you. After all, a marriage alliance between the Hoffman and Aderson families would benefit the Anderson family greatly. But Charles doesn't love you, and that's the biggest reason I won't help you.""I don't believe you!"Grant rubbed his temples and called Kresten. "Bring me the documents I asked for earlier."Kresten arrived swiftly, handing over a folder to Grant. "Sir!"Grant took the documents
"Once you let go, you can start a new life. Knowing there's no future, why persist in your delusions?" Grant said, standing with his hands behind his back. His cold gaze fell upon Kelly, devoid of warmth. It was as if he truly harbored no feelings for her."If you want to leave now, I can have Kresten book your flight.""No, I won't leave!" Kelly shook her head firmly. "So what if I'm just a substitute? I refuse to believe that my years with Charlie are worth less than Noelle's mere six months with him. They met when they were just kids—how could there possibly be real feelings involved?""You're still clinging to this?" Grant frowned. "If you insist on this path, I won't indulge you any longer. Don't think I'm unaware of what you did while you were in Carvonia. If Charles could uncover it, so could I.""I…" Kelly bit her lip. "Why do you all have to interfere? This is my life, and I have the right to choose my own path!""Perhaps three years ago, if you hadn't chosen that road, C
Noelle raised an eyebrow but sat down anyway. "Ms. Anderson, please go ahead."Kelly hesitated, staring at Noelle. "Don't you have anything you want to say?"Noelle looked puzzled. "What should I say?""You must feel so proud!" Kelly bit her lip. "Knowing you're not my substitute and that Charles has always loved you—doesn't that make you smug? You must be smug that you're not the stand-in but that I'm actually yours. Don't you have anything to say about that?""What should I say?" Noelle asked, clearly confused by Kelly's words. "I don't quite understand what you mean, Ms. Anderson. To be honest, I'm not feeling proud at all, because the love between Charles and me has never needed validation like this. Whether you appeared or not, it wouldn't have changed our relationship.""I don't believe you!" Kelly clenched her fists, clearly unwilling to accept Noelle's answer. "How can you possibly not care? After finding out about my existence, I don't believe you felt absolutely nothing.
Grant stepped back and stood upright, nodding calmly at Noelle before smiling slightly. "I figured you wouldn't stay up there too long, so I decided to wait downstairs."Noelle's lips twitched as she struggled to decipher Grant's intentions. This man seemed even more reserved and enigmatic than Charles. Perhaps it was because she did not know Grant well, but there was an undeniable air of mystery about him."Ms. Shaw?" Grant broke the silence with a faint smile. "If you still have matters to attend to, I won't insist. Though it would be a shame to miss this opportunity."Noelle's lips curled slightly in exasperation. "Get in the car, Mr. Anderson."Grant complied, opening the car door and settling himself inside without hesitation. Noelle watched him briefly before climbing in as well. "Aren't you curious about what your sister and I talked about, Mr. Anderson?""You spoke about what needed to be discussed. Why? Do you wish to share it with me?" Grant buckled his seatbelt and turn
"I'm heading back to Phoenix Tree Residence this time, and we'll definitely be passing this way. These spots here are where it's easiest to take action!" Charles explained, turning to Steven. "Mr. Fischer, can your crew handle these places?"Steven did not look too great, but he glanced at Charles, checked out the spots on the map, and nodded. "Sure can!""What about these points, Peter? You got them?"Peter nodded. "You're set on going back to Phoenix Tree Residence? Right now, it seems way safer to head to the Hoffman Residence!"Simon could not hold back any longer and blurted out, "How can you all be so sure someone's going to strike tomorrow?"Charles just smiled a little. "I’m not sure!"Simon let out a scoff. "You expect me to buy that?"Charles always seemed like the type who had things figured out. He must have his reasons for planning like that, but Simon had not figured them out yet. "You act like you know my brother better than I do!""This is his last chance!" Char
Simon's smile faded a bit. "You're right again, bro. It's been days without a peep from Ms. Anderson. I sure hope she's not... gone."However, Simon's words made the air around them grow tense. He could feel the chilling vibe coming off Jacob, who was clearly not happy, even though he did not show it. Simon knew then that this Kelly person must be pretty special to Jacob.After Jacob walked away, Simon rubbed his chin and snorted softly before returning to his room.No sooner had Simon settled in than he got a message. Charles's message was clear: hold off on buying any more shares of the York Group until then.Simon set his phone aside and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He had a clear view of the rock garden in the York family's backyard from his bedroom window.He never imagined that secrets would still be hidden in the shadows after living with the Yorks for so many years. However, Simon could not help but smirk. After witnessing that awful moment between that man and his mother
Simon raised an eyebrow. "Haven't I always been at the company?"Simon's slouchy look made Jacob frown a little. "I'm talking about actually working at the company, not just having a title and doing nothing. You're part of the York family, so when the family needs help, you should pitch in!""Jacob, the York family has you, and that's plenty. I know what you can do, and don't you know me? I might just bungle everything up." Simon pulled out his hands, leaned back against the wall with a cigarette case and lighter in hand, and gave them a spin. He paused, then said, "By the way, why did you suddenly go overseas? Is the York Group doing business there?"Simon's offhand question made Jacob's eyes snap to him sharply. "When did you start caring about these things?""Oh, it's no big deal, just some small talk over drinks today. Someone said you started a company overseas. I didn't believe it. We're all Yorks here. How could we not know if you were doing something like that?"Jacob squi
Jacob pushed the door open and stepped inside, spotting Jeanette seated in a recliner with a Bible in her hands. She read it nearly daily, and it had grown worn over time.Jacob's gaze fell on Jeanette, and he noticed she was also sizing him up. Lifting his eyes, he let a faint smile curve his lips as he walked over. "Grandma, what are you reading?" he asked."Do you not see what I'm looking at?" Jeanette asked, her face suddenly serious. "Jacob, did you forget what I've told you before?""I remember, Grandma," Jacob said, worried she might not believe him. He moved a chair next to her and started to gently massage her legs.However, Jeanette was not so easily tricked. She brushed Jacob's hand away and looked at him with a stern face, very different from her usual warm smile. "Jacob, I may be old, but I'm not blind. Years have gone by. Your grandpa's gone, your dad's gone, and all I want now is for you to live a good life."She reached out and touched Jacob's face. On closer inspe
Yves came back from the hospital and headed straight for the York family home. The mood there was heavy with worry. Everyone was scared that the trouble from two days ago might come back to haunt them.They could not forget how Simon had carried Ms. Anderson out of the house, and the serious warning he had given them.Harold had done some digging and found out that Kelly really was Harrison's daughter. She had not known Harrison when she was little, so the Anderson family from Capiton had taken her in. Just like the Hoffmans and the Smiths from Brookville, the Andersons were not the kind of people they would want to mess with.Kelly might not have been the apple of the Anderson family's eye, but Grant sure treated her well. Now that the Smith family had welcomed her back, Kelly had both the Andersons and the Smiths watching her back. Getting on the bad side of either family was definitely not a good idea.Harold did not usually bother with petty matters. However, with Jacob away an
Eloise's fingers shook just a little, but she nodded seriously. "Take your medicine, get better, and I'll go. Just don't send me away now, please."With that, Eloise held out the glass of water to Steven again. "You need to take care of yourself. You haven't had any rest for days."Steven stared at Eloise's defiant face and suddenly laughed mockingly. He stood up, towering over her with his tall frame. He tilted her chin up with his long fingers, his icy eyes locking onto her bare face. His words cut deep. "You seem to have forgotten that you're just a pawn to me. Even your name, Eloise, was chosen by me. Remember your place!"Eloise's face went white as she heard his words. Her hands balled into fists at her sides. She tried to read his expression, but his eyes were like ice—no warmth nor emotion."Yes, I've always known who I am," Eloise said quietly, looking down. "If it weren't for you, I'd probably still be lost."She looked up again, her eyes then as cool and detached as his
Charles squinted at him. "You don't seem too happy to have me around!""No, no, don't get me wrong. Noelle and Kelly are my sisters, and they’re part of the Smith family. I wouldn't ever dislike them! But don't you think you're wasting resources by being here?"Sean was practically pleading. "Look, if you're not smart with your money, that's fine by me!""Silly Sean! You just said they're your sisters, yet now you're talking about money?" Charles raised an eyebrow. Sean's face fell. "I messed up. I don't want your money. I'll pay you to leave, okay?"Charles just smirked. "Alright, I'll have my things packed up and head out in a couple of days."Sean let out a big sigh of relief. "Okay! I'll have someone clean up for you right away. It won't even take two days. We'll have it done today!" After saying that, Sean whistled cheerfully and bounced away.Charles rubbed his forehead, a bit frustrated, and quickly reviewed the latest reports about the Collosus Group.Steven had been sec
Yves's car lingered long at the hospital entrance, finally pulling away as the last bit of night faded.Yves had been hanging around the hospital entrance for a while, and the secret guard who was watching him had already told Charles about it. Actually, Charles had seen the car parked outside the hospital on the security screen a long time ago.Charles was staring at the screen, lost in thought.After a bit, a tiny smile appeared on his face, and his eyes sparkled.Charles was surprised that Yves cared so much about Kelly. He was brave enough to come there all by himself, even though it was dangerous. The hospital was full of their own people. If Charles had not been sitting there and had caught Yves instead, this whole thing might already be over.The door to the hospital room opened, and Sean, who was tall and striking, stood there. He had been at the hospital a lot those days, staying close ever since he started looking after Kelly. Linda was there too.Every day, Linda was b
"You must really want to die!" Yves twisted his hand, and Elon's arm popped out of its socket. "Who told you the York family has a dungeon? My father? Or...""No! The old master has nothing to do with this!""Hmph!" Yves glared at Elon. "You never saw me as your master, did you? Only my father?" Yves squeezed Elon's cheek. "What did my father give you that made you remain so loyal, even years after his death?""Nothing... You are my master. The old master gave me my life and asked me to follow you for all of it, so no matter what you do, I will obey.""Then why didn't you listen when I said not to hurt her?" A dangerous look flickered in Yves' eyes. "Hmm?""Because I know she'll mess up your big plans, Sir. You don't see it now, but one day you'll understand that I am doing all this for you." Elon clenched his teeth against the pain. "Sir, please see the truth. This woman will only hold you back. Even if you take my life now, I won't complain, but don't let her ruin your big plans