Charles grinned. "Go on!""Suzy blamed Winter for everything, so it was pretty clear that Suzy was the one behind it all. Suzy knew Winter better than anyone else, right?" Charles nodded in agreement. "I’m not responsible for the stuff that's been coming out lately." "You’re not?" Noelle was taken aback. "But you've got all this stuff. If it's not you... Could it be Suzy?" Noelle's brow furrowed in confusion. "What's Suzy really up to?"...Suzy showed up at the front door of a beachside villa, looking shiny and fancy. She rang the bell. The door swung open quickly. Winter peered around, making sure no one was following, before letting Suzy in. "What's the word on the street?" Winter asked, eyeing Suzy's flashy get-up and frowning. "Suzy, what have you been up to lately?" Suzy just laughed in response. She breezed past Winter, turned on the TV, and said, "If you're so curious, why not watch for yourself?” "No, don't turn it on!" Winter dashed over, grabbed the remote fro
"No. It can't be true! It just can't!" Winter stumbled backward, feeling like the Suzy standing before her was a stranger, someone scary and unknown. "Suzy, you're kidding, right? You're still my best friend. You didn't do this to me. It was all Noelle's fault, wasn't it? She made you do it, right?"Winter reached out to grab Suzy's hand, shaking her arm hard. "Tell me you didn't do this, Suzy. It was all Noelle's fault, wasn't it? It was Noelle!""Winter, you're just too naive!" Suzy yanked her arm away, and watching Winter collapse to the ground, looking so lost, she felt a rush of satisfaction. "Noelle didn't make me do anything. I wanted to. You’re no better than Noelle. You two sisters can keep fighting, but why drag me into it? Why drag Annie into it?""No, Suzy, I never did. You've always been my best friend. You have to believe me. I was so sad about what happened to you, I...""You're joking, right? Are you sad? You've only ever used me and Annie like we were just tools fo
"I’ll kill you, Suzy!”Winter's eyes filled with tears as she ran toward Suzy, but Suzy pushed her down to the ground. Looking down at Winter with no warmth in her eyes, she said, "You brought this on yourself, Winter. You have only yourself to blame."Suzy walked away with those words, leaving Winter sitting on the ground and staring blankly at the door. Even though it was summer, Winter felt a chill that made her tremble.Suzy approached a car and tapped on the window. "I've done what you asked me to do."The window rolled down to show a man wearing a silver mask. His eyes were unemotional as he looked at Suzy. "Having second thoughts?"Suzy held her fists tight but shook her head with determination. "No second thoughts. I just want you to promise that my parents will be taken care of and be safe and sound for the rest of their lives."The man smiled slightly, his long fingers lifting Suzy's chin. His eyes seemed to laugh, but there was no warmth in them. "You're tough, Suzy. Y
The man kept his gaze locked on Winter's eyes. "Because we share the same enemy!"...Suzy was dead. Her body was found at Winter's beach villa, and it was a terrible sight. She had been strangled, her face twisted in horror and swollen from the seawater. By the time she was pulled from the water, her body was puffed up and unrecognizable. She had a stab wound in her heart that seemed to have been inflicted after she died.Since the body was found near Winter's villa, Winter became the main suspect. However, when the police got there, Winter had already disappeared.The Shaw family's home was swarmed by police early in the morning. Julian and Jade were taken away for questioning, and just like that, the Shaw family was in total disarray. City Ring Corp. was in the news for running out of money, and the shareholders were just then realizing that Julian might have left the company empty.Everything happened so fast that it took everyone by surprise.In the old Hoffman family house,
"You think I'm behind this?" "No!" Noelle shook her head. "I know it wasn't you, or you wouldn't have offered to help City Ring Corp. at least. I can't figure out who would do this. City Ring Corp. isn't a major company. It shouldn't have enemies, so why would someone target them?" "Maybe you should think about why City Ring Corp. ran into trouble just when I was about to step in," Charles said, softly patting Noelle's hand.Noelle's eyes widened in shock at Charles's words. "What do you mean?"A sinking feeling washed over Noelle. "Do you think someone's out to get you? But why mess with the Shaw family?"She could not make heads or tails of it. The idea that someone would go through the Shaw family just to get to Charles was mind-boggling. However, Charles seemed sure of it. Someone must be after him if they were bothering the Shaw family."Did you forget? Grandpa gave me all his shares in City Ring Corp. Only he knew about it. What if someone's making a big fuss over it?""
Charles's brow creased as he gently took Noelle's hand. "Noelle, please calm down and listen to me!""Charlie, I don't want to hear it!""Noelle, Grandpa is gone. We have to accept that, okay?" Charles's hands rested on Noelle's shoulders. "Noelle, I'm still here for you.""Charlie, Grandpa was just fine a couple of days ago. He was okay. W-why did he have to go?" Noelle's voice trembled with disbelief. She could not accept that Samuel, the kind old man who had been there for her all her life and had cared for her through her toughest times, was gone. She had promised to introduce her babies to Samuel one day."Noelle, we can't bring people back once they're gone. You need to understand that not everyone can stay with us forever, okay? Grandpa may have left, but his love remains with us, Noelle!""Charlie!" Noelle wrapped her arms around Charles's waist, her voice filled with sorrow. "W-why did this happen?"Eventually, Noelle went to the hospital with Charles, but it was too lat
Jade yanked Noelle's hand and shoved her towards the door. "If you don't leave, I'm calling the cops. Are you going or not?""Noelle," Charles said, catching her hand and giving a gentle shake of his head.Noelle wanted to go back inside, but Charles stopped her. "Noelle, she's right. You're not part of the Shaw family anymore. You don't belong there.""But Grandpa..." Noelle started as the doctor finished, waiting for the family to sign the papers so they could take Samuel away. She could not bring herself to believe that Samuel was really gone.She stood at the door, watching, until Julian and Jade carried Samuel's body away. That was when she could not hold back her tears any longer.Charles was right beside her, watching her cry and feeling helpless.After a while, Noelle cried herself to sleep. Charles gently picked her up and carried her to Sean's office.Sean quickly opened the door to a small resting room for Noelle to lie down.Charles laid Noelle on the bed, tucked he
"Someone's messed with the cameras. They've got to be an expert to wreck the surveillance so fast and without a trace. They came ready. Sean, we need those cameras up and running ASAP!" Charles's eyebrows were knotted tight, a sign he was really worried."Of course, but you should watch your back too. My brother mentioned that things are shaky in Cascade City and Capiton. The stock market might take a big hit soon."Charles's eyes gave a quick flash. "Hmm.""You haven't actually made enemies, have you?"Charles looked up sharply, his icy gaze landing on Sean. "If I've made enemies, you're probably in the mix too!"Sean lifted an eyebrow, trying to seem tough. "Don't try to spook me. I'm not scared that easily."Charles did not say more, but Sean could tell things were probably more twisted than they thought. "Fine, I'll get someone on camera.""Make it fast. You've got two days." Charles fiddled with his cufflinks, then stopped as if a thought had struck him and stared at Sean.
The door was suddenly pushed open, and Kelly hurried into the room. "Are you alright?"A clear and crisp voice echoed above her. Noelle was initially startled, and she looked up to see that it was Kelly.The sight of Kelly replaced her pain with surprise. "You…" Why was she here?Before Noelle could finish her sentence, she bent over again, clearly in discomfort."What's wrong? Are you having an episode?""An episode?" Noelle looked up at Kelly, confused. "What episode?""I'm just experiencing fetal movement. The babies have been very active lately," Noelle explained, studying Kelly's face. The concern on Kelly's face quickly turned to surprise."Why are you here?"Noelle could not fathom why Kelly would visit. To her, there was not any connection between them—at least not one Kelly was aware of. Kelly's presence was baffling.However, she could not ignore the strange way Kelly looked at her. "I'm having twins, so my belly looks bigger than usual. These past few days, the babi
Grant's gaze flickered briefly, almost imperceptibly, before he avoided Kelly's question altogether. "It's getting late. I'll have Kresten drive you there."His words made it clear that he was not willing to answer. Knowing Grant's temperament, Kelly understood that pushing further would yield no results. She did not press the issue. "Then please watch over Seth for me. I'll be back soon."When Kelly went downstairs, she saw Kresten already waiting for her. Kresten quickly stepped forward and opened the car door. "Ms. Anderson, please get in."Kelly nodded and got into the car. As soon as she settled, she began to feel a twinge of regret. But deep down, she knew she could not turn back now.She wanted to see Noelle—the sister she had unknowingly been separated from for more than 20 years, someone who shared the same fate as her.The thought of having a sister was entirely new to Kelly. It was an odd and unfamiliar feeling. Memories of their past interactions flooded her mind. No
Seth nodded, tilting his head as he looked at Kelly. "Mommy, you cried."Though young, Seth was incredibly perceptive. Noticing Kelly's red eyes, his small, soft hand reached out to gently rub her cheek.He even leaned closer and blew softly on her face. "Don't cry, Mommy!""I didn't cry, not at all," Kelly said while patting Seth's back gently.There was an apologetic look on her face. "I just forgot to make dinner for you tonight.""Then, Mommy, let's eat out! Seth has money—lots and lots of money. Seth will treat Mommy to some meat!"Seth's sweet, innocent words made Kelly's eyes redden again, but she smiled and nodded. "Alright, Seth. Change your clothes. I'll take you out for dinner, okay?"Later that evening, Kelly sat holding Seth while watching TV, but her mind could not stop drifting back to Noelle's face.Grant's words replayed in her head: she and Noelle were full-blooded sisters, sharing both parents.Kelly looked down at Seth, her thoughts in turmoil. She could
"Are you sure it's a virus?" Kelly asked, her voice trembling slightly."Yes," Grant replied with a firm nod, his sharp eyes fixed on her.He could see the disbelief and shock in Kelly's gaze, along with traces of guilt and unease.However, Kelly suddenly laughed, and she turned her head to face Grant. "Noelle has a virus, so she should go see a doctor. Why are you coming to me? Ha! It's ridiculous that Charles still wants to get me involved when his wife is sick. Why?""Kelly, this virus is extremely rare," Grant explained, his tone steady. "Sean currently doesn't have a clear treatment, but he mentioned one potential solution."Kelly's eyes flickered slightly, betraying a crack in her facade. "If there's a solution, then try it.""Sean believes we need to extract active enzymes from the blood of her closest relatives. Harrison and Shirley should already be at the hospital."Kelly froze again, her lips pressing into a thin line."Oh," she replied, feigning calm, though her emo
Grant noticed Kelly's reluctance to look at the documents and frowned slightly before speaking in an indifferent tone. "You don't have to look at it if you don't want to. After all, it's your decision whether to accept it or not."He placed the file on the table, his tone calm and detached, as though this matter had nothing to do with him.However, Kelly was far from calm. She glared at him, her voice trembling with suppressed anger. "If that's the case, why did you bring it here? Why did you agree? Why…"Her voice grew louder as she yelled at Grant, her emotions spiraling out of control. The noise startled Seth, who was sleeping in the other room.Hearing Seth's cries, Kelly immediately pushed past Grant and rushed into the room to scoop him into her arms. "Seth, don't cry. Mommy's here!""Mommy!" Seth clung tightly to her, his little hands grasping at her clothes."Yes, Mommy's here," Kelly murmured, cradling him as she gently patted his back. She hummed a soothing tune into hi
Kelly's feelings toward Grant were complicated. Growing up, her impression of him was not strong, and they certainly could not be described as having a close sibling bond.Later, Grant left the Andersons, disappearing to places unknown. When he finally returned, Kelly did not stay in Capiton for long before coming to Brookville.After that came the incident that changed everything, ultimately sending her abroad."Aren't you going to invite me in?" Grant glanced inside.Kelly frowned slightly. Although she seemed reluctant, she did not refuse and stepped aside to make way. "Come in. But I don't have much here, so I'm afraid I might not be the best host.""No problem."Grant noticed how much colder Kelly's demeanor had become. As he stepped into the modest apartment, he casually observed its simple layout.It was hard to reconcile this Kelly, living in such a sparse place, with the pampered young woman who once never lifted a finger.Feeling somewhat uneasy, Kelly closed the door
Kelly had been spending the past few days with Seth, whose health had improved significantly. After the recent incident, Kelly stayed in Brookville for a while, using the time to reflect deeply. One of the reasons she had not left Brookville was because of Seth's biological father.It had been almost four years. Not too long, yet not short either.Kelly thought she had let it go, but the DNA report comparing Seth with Maxwell made her hesitate once again.She always knew Seth was not Charles' child. She was fully aware of who the father was, yet his true identity remained a mystery.During those months four years ago, that man had stayed by her side, sharing a deeply unforgettable time with her. It was so unforgettable that she had pushed aside questions about his identity or purpose, choosing instead to immerse herself in the moment with him.Yet she was nothing more than a pawn for him to use against the Hoffmans in the end.Strangely, Charles had been absent from Brookville du
Grant's expression turned ice-cold in an instant. "What are you planning to do?""Kelly is Noelle's biological sister. Sean said only enzymes extracted from close relatives' blood might save Noelle. Whether it works or not, I have to try," Charles replied. His gaze was intense in a way Grant had never seen before.Grant had not expected to ever witness such an expression on Charles' face. He frowned deeply but eventually nodded. "I'll try, but she still doesn't know she's part of the Smith family.""You didn't tell her?" Charles was visibly surprised. He had assumed Grant would have already told Kelly the truth.Now, hearing that Kelly had no idea about her connection to Noelle or the Smith family, Charles was taken aback."I'll bring her over as soon as I can. Give me some time.""Fine, but don't take too long. Nelly can't wait," Charles said firmly. He understood that revealing the truth to Kelly and convincing her to help Noelle would not be easy. However, since Grant had ag
Sean emerged with a somber expression. "Margaret has confirmed that there's a fresh needle mark on Noelle's arm. That shadow from earlier must have injected something into her, which likely triggered her immediate symptoms."Charles clenched his fists, the sound of his knuckles cracking filling the tense air. "What's the plan?""Before the virus spreads too deeply, we could try using blood from Noelle's close relatives to extract certain components that might counteract it," Sean explained.Charles narrowed his eyes. "Be clearer. What are you suggesting?""This idea isn't fully tested. I only came across it in medical literature, and there's no guarantee it will work. If the virus hasn't invaded her bone marrow, we might still have a chance."Charles' expression eased slightly, but a hint of apprehension lingered. He glanced at Sean, who hesitated before continuing. "We need to call in Uncle Harrison and Shirley. Ideally, we should also bring Kelly here.""Fine!"Harrison arrive