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
She remembered a time when she felt so low and alone, like she could not carry on anymore. Flynn was the one who came to her rescue back then. He took her to his house and made sure she got help from a counselor.She had tried to find Harrison before, searching for him for six long months without any luck. When she heard he was back in town, she rushed to see him, only to be met with his harsh words telling her to leave immediately.He even called her filthy. Shirley's heart broke as she left him. Later, she had Kelly, and when she was at her lowest, thinking about ending it all, Flynn and his wife came to her rescue.Shirley had hoped to live a quiet life with Kelly, far away from the rest of the world, but when Harrison showed up, she felt trapped. She was scared he might hurt Kelly, so she left Kelly in Flynn's care, pleading with Flynn and his wife to raise her."No! It's not at all like you're saying.""How can you say that? Mr. Harrison Smith was recovering for months after
Noelle was sitting in her car across the street, watching Shirley look lost and sad. She saw some people walking by, so she rolled up her window and looked at the seat in front of her. "Ronald, let's go.""Yes, Madam. Where to now?""To the office!" She could not wait to see Charles.Sometimes, people were weird like that. She thought she cared about finding her real mom, but maybe she did not care as much as she had thought. When she could not get something, all she would do was wish to grab it and make things right. However, no one could turn back time or undo their regrets.Once she missed her chance, it was gone. She could not go back.Noelle used to hold on too tight. That was why she had felt so bad when Xavier and Winter betrayed her. Looking at Harrison and Shirley, her blood family, she knew she should do something. However, her heart felt too distant to ever warm to them.Ronald could tell something was up with Noelle. He was about to say something, but then Noelle clos
Charles was surprised. He had not expected Noelle to say such a thing to Harrison, but he still stroked her hair gently. "You're not bad.""But I can see how much he loves Shirley. He might have loved her for his whole life, and I made him leave her. What if someone made you leave me?" Noelle was struggling to express her feelings, feeling really upset at that moment.Charles led Noelle into the office lounge and gently rubbed her back. "Everyone's a bit selfish, Noelle. You had your reasons for what you did, didn't you?"Noelle gave a half-smile. "There's no big reason. I just feel like I can accept Harrison because he wants to make things right, and I'm fine with that. But Shirley doesn't like me, so I don't see why I should put up with her. That's selfish, isn't it?"Charles wrapped Noelle in a warm hug. "Nobody's perfect, you know. Even if you didn't say anything, who knows if they would make it in the end? Their issues come from not trusting each other, right? If their bond wa
Noelle reached out and held Charles' hand. "The reason I went to meet Winter today wasn't for anything else—it was because she mentioned something about the time I went missing. I suspected that she was involved, so I went to see for myself."When I was found back then, my clothes were in disarray, and Winter claimed to have taken photos of me. She used those photos to negotiate with me, trying to get the City Ring Corp. shares, so—""So, the photos we saw earlier were supposed to be of you?"Charles continued her thought as his hand turned to grip hers. His fingertips brushed softly over the back of her hand. "And you were worried I'd misunderstand you because of those photos?"Noelle swallowed hard, then nodded.He pulled her into his arms while holding her tightly. "Silly girl!"As he embraced her, his deep eyes flashed with an icy sharpness. "Even if those photos existed, I wouldn't misunderstand you!""But—""I already knew about your disappearance back then." Charles gent
Noelle had barely finished speaking when a car pulled up nearby. The door opened, and a man stepped out, his gaze immediately locking onto her.Seeing Charles, Noelle's face lit up with a smile. "Charlie!"Charles walked over and glanced briefly at Andrew, who immediately took the hint and excused himself.Noelle ran up to Charles, wrapping her arms around his waist and rubbing her head against him affectionately. "Why are you here?""Didn't I tell you to leave these things to me?" Charles replied while gently ruffling her hair. Seeing her kitten-like demeanor, his eyes softened. "What's that in your hand?"Noelle froze for a moment before shaking her head. "I'll show you, but promise you won't get mad?"Hearing this, Charles raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Without another word, he took the envelope from her hand."Hey!" Noelle tried to interject, but Charles already had his arm around her and was guiding her into the car."Andrew, drive," Charles instructed."Yes, Mr. Hoffm
"What did you say?" Winter stared at Noelle in disbelief."That's impossible. Grandpa would never agree to let you sell those shares to someone else. Noelle, are you insane? What kind of grudge do you have against the Shaws that would make you sell our shares? What are you up to?"Even with her limited sense, Winter quickly pieced things together. If Noelle had really sold the shares, it would leave Samuel with only a small portion, and the shares originally under Noelle's name would now belong to an outsider.If anyone wanted to target City Ring Corp. or the Shaws, manipulating the company would be the fastest way to do so.Winter's eyes burned with rage as she glared at Noelle. "What's your game?"Noelle smiled faintly at her. "There's no game. I just didn't think I was suited for business, so I sold them to make a bit of money. If you're so interested in the shares, you can always buy them back.""You…" Winter stepped forward, clearly intent on causing trouble. Yet Andrew, who
Noelle furrowed her brows slightly. "It's nothing significant. I consulted one of the most renowned obstetricians. What was her name again… Dr. Margaret Ellison?"Winter froze once more, her composure slipping briefly before she retorted, "What does your doctor have to do with me? And what's so special about remembering a doctor's name?""I have a good memory, you see. I never forget a thing," Noelle said calmly. "That day, after my check-up, I rested for a while in Dr. Ellison's lounge. I happened to overhear something quite intriguing. Would you like to hear it?""Noelle, shut up!" Winter suddenly shrieked while glaring at Noelle with venomous fury. "You shut your mouth!"Noelle smirked. "Why are you so upset? I just thought it was an interesting story worth sharing with you."Winter abruptly stood up and reached for her untouched coffee, clearly intending to fling it at Noelle."Watch out!" Suzy instinctively moved forward and grabbed Winter, pulling her back. The scorching co
"What papers?" Noelle pretended not to understand as she stared at Winter."The shares! The share transfer agreement for the shares of City Ring Corp. I told you to bring it!" Winter fumed at Noelle's apparent feigned ignorance. "Or are you not afraid I'll expose all your photos?""Go ahead, expose them. I'd like to see if you even dare!" Noelle snorted coldly. "As for the shares, I've already told you—I sold them a long time ago.""You're lying. That's impossible!" Winter refused to believe her. "Grandpa gave those to you; there's no way you'd sell them!""Well, the truth is, I did. I sold them more than six months ago. I even told you all back then, but you refused to believe it." Noelle spread her hands, watching Winter's face twist in anger. "Winter, hand over the photos.""Without the share transfer agreement, do you think I'd give these to you? Do you take me for a fool?" Winter took out an envelope and waved it in front of Noelle."Everything's in here. And not just here
"Why not approach Yankel directly? Why go around in circles?" Charles could not understand Sean's roundabout method.Sean paused for a moment, then gave a bitter smile. "Liliana's situation is similar to Samara's. Right now, she treats Bobby as if he's her biological child. Even if Bobby is saved, she won't hand him over to Yankel. But do you think the Canfield family will let it go once they find out Bobby is their bloodline?"The matter was not as simple as it appeared. Sean would not be handling it so cautiously otherwise. "Moreover, Liliana…"Charles frowned. "What about her?""It's nothing!" Sean shook his head. "All I need is for you to help me connect with the Canfield family. I'll take care of the rest."Charles nodded. "Fair enough. Whatever is going on between you and Liliana, only the two of you can resolve it.""By the way, what did Andrew call you about just now?""It's about Nelly. Anyway, since you're fine here, I'll be heading out." Leaving Noelle alone did not s
Winter ended the call with a cold snort.Standing nearby, Suzy glanced at Winter, whose face was twisted in malice. Suzy pressed her lips together before asking, "Did you just say Noelle was…"Winter sneered, "Yeah, you want to see? I still have the photos!"Suzy's expression darkened at Winter's words. Winter might choose to self-destruct, but that did not mean Suzy was willing to join her.Especially after learning more about Winter's schemes, Suzy could not help but be amazed at how well Winter had kept up her facade all these years. If not for recent events exposing Winter's true nature, Suzy might never have known how deeply Winter had plotted against Noelle."No, I don't need to see them," Suzy said, shaking her head. "But are you really going to meet Noelle? Are you sure she'll hand over the shares? I doubt it. Those City Ring Corp. shares are no small matter.""Hmph, she wouldn't dare refuse me. If she does, I'll release these photos and ruin her completely!" Winter gritt
A deal? Noelle blinked in confusion but quickly understood Winter's intent."The household registry is with my mom. I can get it for you, but you must transfer the City Ring Corp. shares to me.""Ms. Shaw, don't you think this plan of yours is a bit too easy for you?" Noelle had suspected Winter would not approach her with good intentions and now, her suspicions were confirmed—Winter was after the shares. "And what if I refuse?""Then forget about changing your surname. As long as your household registry remains here, your documents will forever list you as a Shaw."Think about it, Noelle. You wouldn't want to be associated with the Shaws, would you? After all, if you remain a Shaw, it makes the Shaws in-laws with the Hoffmans. I doubt the Smiths would be pleased with that arrangement."Winter had clearly thought things through, though she vastly overestimated herself and underestimated Charles and the Smiths' capabilities.Changing Noelle's surname would not be a challenge for C
Noelle was carried downstairs by Charles, much to her protest. She insisted on walking down herself, but Charles simply refused.Covering her face with a hand, she could not help but mutter to herself, feeling as though she was being treated like an invalid. Charles sighed and gave Noelle's hand a gentle tug. "Alright, I'll let you down in a bit."Harrison and Maxwell happened to walk in from the yard, just in time to see the two of them bickering.Harrison's face lit up with amusement. "Noelle!"The smile on Noelle's face froze for a moment, but she quickly forced it back, curving her lips slightly. "You're here?"Although she did not call him "Dad", the gesture was already a significant step forward for Harrison. He nodded, smiling warmly. "I came to check on you and discuss the household registry with Charlie."Noelle's expression stiffened. "Is it really necessary to change it?"She glanced hesitantly between Harrison and Charles."It's not mandatory," Harrison said quickly