Shirley's eyes reddened as she whimpered, "You have no right to mention him."Her voice was faint, almost inaudible, and the pain forced her to cover her mouth as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.Harrison's chest tightened momentarily, but he reached out and gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with his rough fingertips."Tell me, how could your heart be so cruel when you abandoned Noelle back then?"Shirley instinctively took a step back, but Harrison pulled her closer, leaving her no room to escape. "Maddy, running away won't solve anything.""You're not well, so rest for now," Harrison continued, his tone calm yet commanding. "Once you've recovered, I'll take you back to see your father.""No!" Shirley cried out in panic.She shook her head fervently, tears cascading down her cheeks. It was not that she did not want to go back—it was that she could not.Her father, Sebastian, despised her with every fiber of his being. He loathed her for her heartl
"Since you've got this under control, I won't say much. Just make sure you know what you're doing," Hayes said while patting Harrison's shoulder. "Take a seat and explain what's going on. Isn't Noelle Julian Shaw and Jade Jones' daughter?"Ever since the events of 25 years ago, the Smith family had rarely interacted with the Jones family, let alone the Shaw family. As a result, Hayes was not well-informed about the Shaw family's situation.However, Noelle's name had come up in conversations recently.Hayes recalled a phone call from Savannah a few days ago mentioning Noelle. At the time, he had been too busy to pay much attention and only caught bits and pieces.Now, hearing Harrison bring it up, Hayes remembered that Julian indeed had two daughters. The elder one, Winter, was now a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.As for the younger daughter, Noelle, Hayes had not heard much about her. What little he had heard wasn't exactly flattering.Thinking of this, Hayes' ex
"What kind of information do you want?" Peter waved his hand, signaling Brandon to look for Tania, then stepped out onto the beach.Squinting against the sunlight, he asked, "He doesn't seem to have anything suspicious going on abroad. What are you worried about?""Nothing much," Sean replied with a chuckle. "So, when are you and Tania coming back? You've left that company of yours to Jamie. Aren't you afraid one day he'll swallow it whole? By then, you'll be left with nothing."Peter snorted dismissively, clearly unconcerned. "If he can take it, then I'd have to admit his skill, doesn't it?"Sean clicked his tongue. "Peter, does this mean you're not planning to come back? Got too comfortable there, huh? I bet Tania doesn't care what you're up to. But mark my words, if you keep idling like this, you'll go broke one day. Then we'll see if Tania still wants you!"Peter let out another cold laugh. "Don't you worry about me. Even if I lose everything, my wife has money. My brother-in-
Ellen felt a jolt in her chest. "But Ms. Shrill, you came back to the country fully prepared for this. You've already discussed everything with Royal Star. Are you sure you want to back out now? Carvonia has no room for you to grow anymore."Ellen spoke bluntly, her words cutting straight to the point. "You're not exactly young anymore. Staying abroad may not offer you the same opportunities as being here.""Enough. Whether it's good or not, that's my choice," Shirley snapped. "You can tell Harrison that I—""Tell me what?" Harrison entered from outside, his expression cold and sharp. He stared at Shirley. "You're not a child anymore. You need to face the consequences of your actions instead of running away. Do you really think you can keep avoiding things after all these years?"Shirley's expression darkened, but she remained silent.Harrison gestured toward the car. "Get in.""Alright."After Ellen left, Harrison sneered, "Madison, do you really think you can go back now? Sinc
Shirley merely scoffed twice. Seeing her reaction, Ellen felt a wave of awkwardness and chose to remain silent.The car quickly arrived at the parking lot. Since Royal Star had made prior arrangements, the reporters and paparazzi had no access to the area.Shirley opened the car door and stepped out, immediately noticing Harrison following behind her. Her face darkened instantly. "Why are you getting out?"Harrison smirked. "Naturally, I'm here to check out your future workplace and see what kind of environment it offers."Ignoring Shirley, he strode forward confidently.The Royal Star representative, who was waiting to receive them, noticed the middle-aged man accompanying Shirley and looked momentarily surprised. However, he refrained from commenting. "Ms. Shrill, this way, please."Harrison glanced at Shirley, whose reluctance was written all over her face, and stepped into the elevator without hesitation. Ellen followed closely behind.Shirley clenched her teeth. She began w
"Ms. Shaw, are you familiar with the Smiths?" Harrison's eyebrows shot up in surprise as he turned to Noelle. She quickly nodded. "Yeah, Mr. Smith and I go way back. And who might you be?""I'm Sean's uncle!" Harrison chuckled, a twinkle in his eye. "Looks like we're practically family!""Come on in, Mr. Harrison Smith. You too, Ms. Shrill!" Noelle did not pry into the specifics of Harrison and Shirley's connection, nor did she ask Harrison to leave. Instead, she made sure he was treated like a VIP."Yoana, could you get Mr. Harrison Smith a coffee?" Noelle paused briefly before adding, "Is there any particular way you like it, Mr. Smith?""I'm easy to please!" Harrison replied with a warm, appreciative smile.Noelle gave him a small nod. "Alright then, a Honeyed Lavender Latte it is. And for Ms. Shrill?""No thanks," Shirley cut in sharply, her patience wearing thin. "Don't trouble yourself over me, Ms. Shaw. I won't have anything."Noelle's lips quirked into a sly smile. "Yoan
"Ms. Shrill, I'm all set. Just start whenever you're ready," Ronald said, taking a seat beside Noelle, his eyes serious as he faced Shirley.Shirley paused, her words caught in her throat as she tried to make sense of the situation. With Noelle watching her expectantly, Shirley finally let out her frustrations. "I'm just not happy with this. Royal Star is supposed to be a big shot in the entertainment industry, right? Why can't they get a simple contract right? Do I really have to spell it out for them? Is this what passes for professionalism at Royal Star?"Ronald glanced up, an eyebrow arching in surprise at Shirley's outburst.He had never dealt with an artist this difficult before. Winter had been a handful, but Shirley was on a whole other level. If Charles had not specifically asked him to help Noelle out today, he would not bother pandering to someone so full of themselves—and who was being so rude to Noelle, no less. It was a good thing Noelle was the patient type, or else i
After Shirley stormed out, Noelle lingered in the meeting room. Ronald and Yoana hovered behind her, uncertain. "Madam, why did you..."Noelle cut Ronald off with a gesture. "Her refusal to sign was no surprise. It's not the contract that's the problem—it's me." Her smile did not quite reach her eyes, which were clear and sharp.Once upon a time, a younger Noelle might have been hurt by Shirley's rejection, but she was no longer that inexperienced girl. She had grown up, seen the world for what it was, and understood things better now. Shirley could not faze her anymore.Ronald's brow creased with concern. He knew a lot about Noelle's past because Charles had asked him to quietly investigate it. As an employee, it was not his place to question the boss's business. However, after working closely with Charles all this time, Ronald could not help but feel a personal attachment to Noelle.He was upset for Noelle, but when he saw that she did not seem bothered, he realized he was the na
"Yeah. Bobby is Yankel's son, so he has to go back to the Canfield family eventually," Liliana said. As she looked up, her eyes caught a glimpse of the person in the driver's seat ahead, and she gasped. "It's you—""Liliana?" Noelle heard a voice crackling through the phone, then nothing but silence."Liliana?"Noelle jumped to her feet and tried calling Liliana back, but no one answered. She dashed downstairs, only to be stopped by Charles. "What's the matter? You look so worried.""It's Liliana. Something's happened to her," Noelle explained, clutching her phone. "I was just talking to her. It sounded like she met someone or something happened. All I heard was Liliana saying, ‘It's you,' some choppy bits of conversation, and then nothing. When I called back, nobody picked up."Noelle was not just being paranoid. She had been through enough to have a keen sense for these things.Charles's brow furrowed as he tried calling Liliana but got no response."Where was Liliana when she
Yankel was taken aback by Liliana's words. He looked at her, his face full of wonder and questions. Liliana did not know what to say, so she just coughed a little and asked, "You don't think I'm being unreasonable, do you, Mr. Canfield?"Yankel shook his head. He had never thought that. He knew Liliana loved Bobby a lot and thought it would be hard for her to give him up. That was why he was so surprised when she offered to let Bobby go back to him. "I didn't mean it like that," he said."Actually..." Liliana paused, then shared the story of how she first met Samara and how they ended up depending on each other. "You could tell that even after Samara had to leave, she still loved you a lot. She even risked her life to have your baby. I know she loved you because she asked me to take care of Bobby when she was very sick. She even worried that Bobby might be too much for me and told me to find you, so you could raise him."Liliana let out a sigh. "I guess I've been selfish. I treated
Casey sat in the front seat, watching Liliana and Bobby together. Surprise flickered in his eyes, but it was mostly happiness. "Ms. Liliana, it looks like the little guy is really fond of you."Liliana did not say yes or no, but Bobby chimed in, "I love Mommy the most! I love Mommy the most!"Casey could not help but smile. "Yep, the little guy loves you the most, Ms. Liliana." He glanced at Liliana, trying to read her face. "Ms. Liliana, have you ever thought that since you and the little guy are so close, maybe you and...""Casey, I don't see Mr. Canfield that way," Liliana said calmly.Casey blushed a little, realizing he had stepped out of line. "Sorry, I spoke out of turn." He stayed quiet for the rest of the drive.When they reached the Canfield house, Liliana stepped out with Bobby in her arms, and Casey led the way. "Ms. Liliana, it's just Mr. Canfield at home today." He meant to tell her not to worry. Even if the Canfield family did not like Bobby, they would not do anyth
Liliana did not have any special feelings for Yankel. It was all about Bobby. She could tell Yankel really cared for Bobby. "He's Bobby's real dad. I can't keep them apart."Noelle chuckled. "Okay, okay, I was just teasing. Look at you, getting all worked up over nothing!"Noelle leaned in closer, her gaze making Liliana a little uncomfortable. "Noelle, what are you...""Liliana, what are you going to do now?" Noelle asked, her eyes full of concern. "I know Sean is my brother, but I really don't mind, especially after everything that happened..." She trailed off. She was not sure of all the details, but she knew Liliana had loved Sean with all her heart. Sean, however, had been as unfeeling as a log and had even hurt Liliana deeply.After leaving with a heart full of hurt, it was no surprise that Liliana could not forgive Sean, let alone get back together with him. Noelle felt the same. She would not get back with Sean if she were in Liliana's shoes.Noelle knew she should suppo
Charles dropped Liliana off at Phoenix Tree Residence and headed straight back to the office. On the way, he called Sean, "I've made sure she's safe and sound."Sean massaged his forehead and replied, "Hmm."Charles could not resist a little joke. "Haven't figured it out yet?""Liliana just can’t forget what happened years ago." Sean wore a sad smile. "It's my fault too. If only I had gotten there sooner back then, or if I had understood my own feelings earlier, none of this would have happened." He thought his child might have been older than Peter's by now.However, Sean kept those words to himself. He knew that child was a secret he could not talk about, a pain too deep for words to convey.The two were quiet for a moment until Charles broke the silence. "Liliana's giving all the love she had for that child to Bobby now. You've noticed, haven't you?""Yeah." How could he not? That was why Sean felt so bad about it and why he wanted to do right by Bobby to make up for the baby
Yankel and Xenia got divorced. On the day Yankel left the hospital, Liliana watched as Xenia desperately clung to Yankel's hand, but Yankel would not even give her a second look.Xenia was also holding onto Lawrence's hand, begging Yankel over and over to look at Lawrence, but Yankel just would not. Finally, Xenia started hitting Lawrence's face like crazy. Yankel finally stopped walking.Yankel grabbed Xenia's hand, his face showing no emotion. "Are you out of your mind? Lawrence is just a kid." He was just a little younger than Bobby.Xenia burst into laughter at that, but then she broke down crying. "So what if he's a kid? He still can't make you stay? Yankel, you know how I've treated you all these years, don't you?"Yankel, where's your heart?"Yankel stared indifferently at Xenia, then took Lawrence away and handed him to an assistant. "Take Lawrence to Elvis.""Yankel, you'll get what's coming to you! Yankel, Lawrence is your son, not Elvis's! You..."Yankel ordered some
Liliana's cheeks turned pink as she nodded, even though she was not really cold. "Uh-huh!"Sean finished tending to the wound, put the medicine box away, and looked over to see Liliana sitting up straight like an elementary school student. A warm feeling washed over him."Do you want to stay here with Bobby, or should I take you home?""No way. I'll stay with Bobby!" After everything that happened tonight, Liliana was too worried to leave Bobby alone in the hospital room. Who knew what could happen during the night?Sean's expression darkened a bit. "Don't worry. Nothing like this will happen again." After all, Bobby was in his hospital, and he was responsible for the boy's safety.Liliana shook her head. "No. It's not your fault."Xenia was out to hurt someone, and she would take any chance she got, no matter where Bobby was. You could never be too careful, and who would have guessed Xenia would go after a child?Liliana had no idea what might have happened if Liliana had not n
Liliana gave Sean a stern look. "It's time for Bobby to go to bed.""But Mom, I'm not tired yet!" Bobby said, tilting his head and blinking his big, adorable eyes, which almost made Liliana melt."It's bedtime, no matter what. It's really late," Liliana insisted. She tucked Bobby into bed. After he fell asleep, she turned around to find Sean still there. She frowned. "Why are you still here?"Sean's smile faded as he walked over with big steps and grabbed Liliana's wrist. Ignoring her wishes, he started to lead her outside.Liliana was upset by Sean's actions and tried to pull away, but Sean held on tight. He even warned her, "If you want to wake everyone up, go ahead and yell."Feeling trapped, Liliana glared at Sean and whispered angrily, "What do you want?"Sean did not answer. He just kept walking and pulling her along.Liliana had no choice but to follow. At least Sean was considerate enough to slow down for her shorter steps.Sean took Liliana to his office, opened the do
Liliana blushed and rolled her eyes at Bobby.Sean chuckled. "That's because I'm a grown-up.""I'm a grown-up too!" Bobby declared, standing tall and puffing out his chest with pride. "Right, Mr. Smith?""Sure, you’re a big boy now," Sean agreed, playfully tapping Bobby's nose.Liliana's brow furrowed with concern. "Mr. Smith, it's getting late. Bobby needs to go to bed."She reached to take Bobby from Sean, but Sean was quicker and gently held her hand. His eyes briefly showed some worry as he noticed the scratches on her hand. "I should have done more than just kick her."Liliana's cheeks warmed as she pulled her hand away, a bit flustered. "I'm okay, and you did kick her, remember? She even coughed up a lot of blood!"Liliana thought the kick must have been super strong. Although she was not the one who was kicked, the pain looked so bad that she winced.Sean saw her reaction and let out a small laugh. "Don't worry. I never hit women, and I definitely would never hit you."