Harrison furrowed his brows. "If you have something to say, spit it out.""How's your health doing?" Fran hesitated."I'm perfectly fine!" Harrison replied tersely.Despite his words, Fran could not shake his concern. After a moment of careful thought, he cautiously said, "After Ms. Shrill left the hospital, she wandered aimlessly along the streets. Later… Grant took her away.""What did you just say?" Harrison's eyes snapped open. "Grant Anderson?""Yes. Flynn was also there. Ms. Shrill was at a hotel with them, but we don't know what transpired between her, Flynn, and Grant. When she left, her mental state seemed off. Our people couldn't get too close, so the details are unclear. After she left Flynn, she returned directly to Springwood Garden and hasn't come out since."Harrison's mind raced while he was torn between relief and unease. "And she… Who's there?" His innate sense of caution made him sit upright.At that moment, Fran moved to the door and opened it. Seeing the fig
Harrison's grip suddenly tightened, his eyes wide with shock that matched Shirley's earlier that day when she uncovered the truth. "Flynn, why did you bring out this proof? What are you trying to do?""Mr. Smith, I'm not trying to do anything. It's just that the past has been tangled up for so long, so it's time to clear things up," Flynn said, shaking his head. "I thought Shirley completely cut ties with you when she left, but now I see you two never parted ways after all these years. Your feelings for Shirley must run really deep!""This is between her and me. You don't need to butt in!" Harrison's voice was cold. "Are you trying to rub it in my face that she chose you and not me in the end?""Mr. Smith, you've got it all wrong. Honestly, nothing ever happened between Shirley and me!""What are you saying?" Harrison stared at Flynn, stunned. Flynn could tell from his face that Shirley had kept the secret and was using him. "Yes, I was really good to Shirley back then, but it was
"Shirley was scared you wouldn't want the baby and scared you'd hurt her, so she asked me and my wife, Jessica, to look after the child until she grew up. That child is Kelly."Harrison's hands shook, and papers scattered all over the floor."Shirley was going to leave, but then you trapped her again. I don't know what happened between you two that year. When I finally heard about it, six months had passed. Shirley sent me a letter saying she had left the country and asked me to take good care of Kelly."Harrison looked up, his eyes red and teary. "Why are you telling me this now? What do you want?""To make things right!" Flynn let out a sigh. "I know you've already dealt with the people who hurt Shirley back then, but there's someone you missed."Flynn stood up, faced Harrison, and bowed deeply to him. "It's my fault Shirley went through all that trouble. If I hadn't set up that interview, she wouldn't have gone to dinner with those big shots, and none of that bad stuff would'v
Noelle walked into the hospital ward with Ellis. It was super quiet. Harrison looked like he was reading, but when he saw Noelle, he shut his book and said, "You're here!"Noelle nodded. "Are you feeling any better?""A lot better!"Noelle had visited Harrison a few times since what happened before, but they had just exchanged hellos without much small talk. They both knew without saying that it was not the time to discuss their relationship or Noelle returning to the Smith family.Harrison had asked Ellis to bring Noelle over today, so she thought he had something important to discuss. She was right. As soon as she sat down, Harrison said, "I've agreed to what you asked for!"Noelle blinked, confused for a moment. "What are you agreeing to?"Harrison closed his book and looked at her with a serious expression. "You said you'd come back to us if I didn't associate with Shirley anymore. I agree to that!"Noelle stared at him, hardly believing what she was hearing.She could not
Noelle's face went completely blank. "What do you mean?" That could not be true.Harrison understood that the news would be a huge shock to Noelle. It had been hard for him to accept when he first found out, and it took him a long time to make up his mind. Noelle must be feeling the same way now.Suddenly, Noelle felt awkward and did not know what to do with her hands. She looked at Harrison, wiped her hands anxiously, and forced a smile. "You're pulling my leg, right?""No!" Harrison said, shaking his head. "I only found out about this a few days ago myself. I've been wrestling with whether to tell you or not, but I think you deserve to know the truth.""Are Kelly and I really you and Shirley’s kids?"Harrison nodded. Noelle was at a loss for words.How could she even begin to sort out her feelings about her parents?She felt like she should be mad or throw a fit like Kelly did at Shirley during that press conference. However, Noelle just could not muster up that kind of anger.
Ellis got the medicine ready for Harrison and poured him a glass of water. "Here's your medicine, sir."Harrison took his medicine and was quiet for a long while before he asked, "Ellis, do you think I've done something wrong?"Ellis stopped, holding the water bottle in mid-air. "What are you talking about, sir?"Harrison rubbed his forehead. "Was it a mistake for me to come back?" If he had stayed with the status quo, maybe only he and Shirley would be caught up in their problems. He would not have dragged so many people into this mess. Noelle's life was so simple and joyful. He did not need to step in. When it came down to it, he was being too selfish, which was why..."Sir, I believe everything you've done was the right thing to do. You've spent too little of your life living for yourself. Everyone's a little selfish, you know."Harrison let out a small laugh. "Getting old makes you think too much. Anyway, how is she? Is she alright?""Yes. The folks at Springwood Garden say
Shirley's eyes were glued to Harrison, not wanting to miss any change in his expression.However, it seemed she was bound to be let down. Harrison's face was a mask of calm as she finished talking. He did not reveal even a hint of any of the reactions Shirley had hoped for.The silence in the hospital room was so deafening that Shirley thought she could hear a pin drop.She balled her hands into fists, trying to encourage herself. Her eyes locked on Harrison, her heart freezing. "Don't you have anything to say?""Madison!"Harrison finally spoke, but it was to say her real name with seriousness. Shirley's face lost all color. She tried to smile, but her heart sank as Harrison said, "Noelle has agreed to come back to the Smith family."Shirley's face tensed up. "What do you mean?""It's time for you to go.""Go? Go where?"Shirley was confused, looking at Harrison for answers."Noelle is a wonderful kid. I've decided to spend what's left of my life with her so I can see her ha
"Do you want to talk about it here, Ms. Shrill?"Shirley glanced at the cab driver and apologized. She stepped out of the car and faced Ellis. "What's left to say? What happened back then?""There's a cafe across the street. If you don't mind, we could talk there.""Okay."Shirley put on her sunglasses and led the way across the street. Ellis watched her go and then followed behind."Out with it. What's this all about? Is there something I don't know?"Shirley was sure Ellis had nothing important to say. He would probably just say she was being ungrateful. However, his words took her by surprise.Once the coffee arrived, Ellis looked at Shirley with a serious expression. "You're probably wondering what I could have to say, right? You think everything that happened back then is crystal clear, don't you? You think he abandoned you when you were in trouble and needed him the most, right?"But you don't know the whole story. After he heard about your troubles and that you didn't li
This wedding was nothing short of spectacular. Every moment was meticulously recorded by a dedicated team, with cameras set up throughout the venue to capture every detail of the ceremony from all angles.Charles and Noelle barely had a moment to rest as they moved from table to table, toasting guests with endless glasses of wine. The atmosphere remained lively and joyous deep into the night. It was not until the early hours of the morning that Noelle finally helped Charles to a private lounge on the second floor of the hotel.Though many had stepped in to shield them from excessive drinking, there was no avoiding the celebratory nature of the occasion. The alcohol had inevitably taken its toll. After settling Charles onto the couch, Noelle fetched some honey water and a warm towel before returning to his side.Charles lay slightly on his side, propping his chin up with one hand. Noelle sat beside him and handed him the towel, but he did not reach for it.Sighing, she called soft
Sean clicked his tongue, shaking his head in amusement. "Charles, your body is here, but your heart is clearly somewhere else."Then, as if making an even bigger discovery, he gestured toward a spot not far away. "Oh, I say, Charles, this is a real crisis. See that?"With the enthusiasm of someone who thrived on drama, Sean pointed at Noelle and Grant. "I don't know, man. That guy doesn't look like he's here with good intentions."Charles raised an eyebrow, his gaze darkening as it settled on Noelle and Grant. He gripped his glass a little tighter, but his eyes refused to move away from them. Still, his words were dismissive. "He's just another big brother-in-law. That's all.""Yeah, right. Just admit it—he's a strong rival."The second Sean finished speaking, he felt an icy stare pierce through him. Charles' glare was sharp enough to cut. "Hmm? What did you just say?""Nothing!" Sean swallowed hard, instantly backtracking. Dear god, a jealous man was terrifying!"You think he's
Grant's eyes carried too many emotions—too many things unspoken. Noelle could not fully understand, but she could sense that there was something significant behind his words.The diary in her hands had to hold something important that was possibly related to the past she had forgotten. Perhaps they were the lost pieces of her memory that she had always assumed were not crucial.She had assumed so because otherwise, she would have recalled them after all these years. Besides, they had not seemed to affect her life in any meaningful way.Over time, she had gradually let go of the idea of remembering.Yet now, with Grant handing her this diary, an unsettling feeling crept over her as if she had forgotten something incredibly important—something she could not afford to lose.Holding the diary tightly, Noelle felt a strange mix of emotions that she could not quite describe.She hesitated before murmuring, "Thank you."In the end, she did not ask Grant where he had gotten the diary. I
"Alright!" Charles took the glass from Bob's hand and downed it in one go.Standing beside him, Noelle opened her mouth slightly and reached out to tug at Charles' arm. "Charlie… Take it easy!"With so many guests around, Charles had already had quite a bit to drink. If they kept pushing more onto him, how would he handle it?Noelle looked at him with concern, but Charles simply smiled and gently patted the back of her hand. "I'm fine.""Oh, wow, are you showing off your love for each other right in front of us? Are you trying to make us single folks suffer?"Simon chimed in, fueling the lively atmosphere. He had always been the laid-back type, and now, paired with Sean, the two seemed to hit it off instantly. They were like long-lost partners in crime. They exchanged a knowing glance, clearly set on making Charles drink more.Noelle wanted to say something, but seeing the calm look Charles gave her, she hesitated and eventually let them have their fun.With that, Charles was dr
Charles opened the gift box, revealing a pair of crystal flats. Noelle was surprised, but before she could react, Charles had already removed her heels and was carefully helping her into the new shoes.Gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd, and Noelle could not help but feel a little embarrassed. However, Charles remained completely focused, his movements gentle and precise as he secured the flats on her feet before helping her stand again.The moment Noelle stood up, she immediately felt much more comfortable. However, a new problem arose.Her wedding gown had been tailored for the height of her heels, and now, with the flats, she had suddenly lost nearly three inches. It caused the hem of her dress to drag awkwardly on the floor. It looked far from elegant.Noelle shot a troubled look at Charles. Without hesitation, he crouched down once more. With a few effortless movements, he gathered the outer layers of her gown, tying them into a casual knot at the side.Noelle's
"Grandpa, Granddad!" Noelle called out, holding Charles's hand as they approached. Sebastian waved them over, "Noelle, come to my side!" Holding Charles's hand, Noelle walked up to Sebastian and let go to hug his arm, "Granddad!""There's my sweet girl!" Sebastian's eyes twinkled with joy as he looked at Noelle and Charles.Charles's lips were always tipped with a gentle smile, and he joined Noelle, saying, "Granddad!""Yes, wonderful!"Finally, the big day came—a wedding with a beautiful ceremony.Sebastian was really proud of Charles, his star student. Then, Noelle married Charles, and Sebastian felt a huge relief, as if a weight had been lifted from his heart.Sebastian felt a little sad thinking about Noelle getting married for real. He pulled a small box from his pocket and said, "Your grandma got this from her family when she was alive. Now, I want you to have it!""No, I can't take this!" Noelle said quickly when she heard it was from her grandma.However, Sebastian sh
"Wow, I can't believe that just happened!""Look at that! Charles is actually so considerate and gentle—it’s hard to believe!”Charles slipped the crystal shoes onto Noelle's feet and then scooped her up in his arms. With that, the noisy crowd made their way out of the place.Outside the place, a line of fancy cars waited. People climbed in, and they all set off for the hotel.As the luxury cars rolled away from the Smith residence, reporters followed, eager to capture every moment of the spectacle.Even though the Hoffmans and the Smiths had told the press to stay out of certain areas, they could not stop them from snapping pictures on the public streets. So, the day's big moments ended up all over the internet.In front of the hotel run by the Nexus Group, car after car pulled up and parked. The whole street had been cleared out just for today's wedding party.Charles, looking sharp in his white suit, stepped out of the car and turned his back to the door. A pretty figure in w
The church was alive with love and happiness, the air buzzing with laughter, congratulations, and heartfelt connections. For a moment, Charles stood still, holding Noelle’s hand, soaking in the overwhelming joy that surrounded them. It wasn’t just the ceremony that made the day special—it was the people they loved, the memories they’d shared, and the future they were about to build together.As the crowd slowly began to disperse, the newlyweds, still smiling and basking in the glow of their love, made their way out of the church, ready to begin the rest of their lives together.Just then, the bridesmaids—Kelly, Liliana and Linda—and the groomsmen—Sean, Peter, and the others—emerged from the church. They were all smiling, but especially Sean, who had his usual carefree, playful attitude. He walked up behind Charles as if he were about to give him a friendly shove.However, before Sean could do anything else, it was obvious that Charles was not pleased with him at all. With a quick mo
Meanwhile, Charles caught sight of his mother, Clarisse and father, Mateo, both of them beaming with pride. Clarisse's eyes were bright with tears as she dabbed at them with a tissue, while Mateo's face was etched with a quiet, proud smile."Charles!" Clarisse called out, her voice thick with emotion. She was barely holding it together, and her hands trembled as she waved him over for a hug. Charles went to her, his heart swelling, and pulled her into his arms. "I'm so proud of you," she whispered, and the emotion in her voice made his chest tighten. He pulled back, giving her a soft smile, and then hugged Mateo, who patted him on the back."Don't you go breaking her heart, Charles," Mateo said with a wink, making everyone nearby laugh. It was a comment Charles had heard many times before, but today, it carried a deeper, more heartfelt meaning.He turned to Noelle, and she smiled at him, her eyes crinkling at the corners in that way he loved. Her parents were waiting for her, and