Cody examined Noelle, realizing that she was not as he had imagined.He had thought, based on Annie's descriptions, that Noelle might not be a respectable woman. However, seeing her now, she seemed quite dignified. She stood confidently beside Charles without being overshadowed.Charles' dark eyes fell on Cody, narrowing slightly. Cody immediately realized his mistake and quickly diverted his gaze."Mr. Adams, please sit. There's no need to be so tense," Charles said calmly, contrasting Cody's evident nervousness.Cody sat down again, feeling unsure about where to place his hands and feet.Becky then brought in tea, setting it down in front of him. Cody accepted it politely."Mr. Hoffman, may I ask why you've called me here today?" Cody could not fathom the reason why Charles summoned him here. After all, Charles had already promised to spare Annie and Adams Corp after the previous incident.Charles smiled slightly, releasing Noelle's hand and pulling a file from his desk drawer
Noelle sat quietly, listening to the conversation between the two men. When she heard Charles' suggestion about Annie continuing to associate with Winter, she showed a look of surprise on her face."Why are you asking Annie to stay close to Winter? That woman…" Noelle bit her lip. She could see that Annie had gained some clarity after her recent ordeal, and Noelle did not want Annie to stay involved with Winter, whom she understood too well."Mr. Adams, what do you think?" Charles asked, looking up at Cody.Cody hesitated for a moment, trying to comprehend Charles' intention.He quickly realized that Charles wanted Annie to act as a pawn, staying close to Winter so that if Winter planned anything against Noelle, Annie would be aware of it.Charles' plan was meticulous and showed how much he cared for Noelle, but it was not necessarily good for others involved.Annie was already mentally shaken by her recent ordeal. Now, Charles was asking her to maintain her friendship with Winte
"How's everything in the back?" Joseph asked Emilia. Busy with greeting guests, Emilia suddenly remembered. "Oh no, I haven't checked on Winter. I don't even know how she looks after getting ready.""I'll go look, Emilia!" Jade, who was overjoyed that her daughter was finally marrying Xavier, volunteered eagerly.She was especially delighted that her daughter had triumphed over that other woman's child.Seeing Jade's enthusiasm, Emilia nodded. "Alright. That makes more sense. You're Winter's mother and probably know her best."Jade exchanged a few words with Julian before going to the back.Winter had already finished her makeup and was adjusting her dress when she saw Jade come in. "Mom, have all the guests arrived?""Not yet, but you have no idea! All the prominent people of Brookville who could come are here!" Jade could not hide her joy. "Winter, my darling daughter, I want everyone in Brookville to know that my daughter is the happiest woman in the world.""Mom!" Winter lau
Annie had been eavesdropping for a bit and overheard Winter and Jade talking. With every word, she saw Winter in a new light. She could hardly believe that Winter, whom she had once helped to plot against Noelle, could be so cruel. The thought made her feel angry and trapped.Back in the day, Annie might have been bossy, but she never wanted to hurt anyone. She would never do something as mean as setting loose poisonous snakes. She had believed everything Winter said about Noelle, but listening to Winter and Jade now, she felt a cold shiver run through her.Annie had a pretty great life with loving parents and a caring older brother. She never had to worry about anything. It was tough for her to picture someone like Noelle being tricked by her own sister and mother. They had even taken Noelle's boyfriend and given her to Simon against her will.Her brother Cody had filled her in on all the details about Winter last night. Annie had doubts before, but she knew her brother was telling
Holding Winter's hand, Annie said, "Winter, I hope you and Xavier stay together forever and never ever grow apart.""Thank you!" Winter felt something was off about Annie but could not quite figure it out. Maybe it was just her frightening face. "Annie, I'm really sorry about what happened. Noelle is my sister, but I never thought she'd do something like this to you. I don't expect you to forgive her, but today's my wedding day. If Noelle shows up, please don’t give her a hard time. I’m begging you!""Don’t worry!" Annie quickly reached out to Winter. "I promise I won't bother Noelle today. Don't let my problems come between you and your sister. I'm not that important.""Uh… You two can continue chatting. I'm going to welcome the guests." Jade could not stand being there any longer. Annie might be Winter's friend, but her face was so frightening to look at.Winter felt the same way. She never expected Annie to show up looking so terrifying.Once Jade was gone, Winter went to fix h
Some people commanded attention without even trying, and Noelle was definitely one of those people.Charles's eyes were dark and sparkling as he watched her, and he found himself breathing a little harder. Noelle felt someone watching her and turned to see him at the coatroom door, his gaze intense and focused on her.Feeling her heart flutter, she nervously checked her outfit and asked, "What's up? Is there something wrong with what I'm wearing? What doesn't look good?"She glanced at herself in the mirror again and twirled. Charles thought she looked like a magical fairy, and his breath stopped again. His gaze deepened, but he smiled, walked over to Noelle, and said, "You look great!"He really meant it.Noelle let out a relieved breath but still gave him a playful scowl. "You had me worried for a second there. I thought something was wrong with me!""There is something wrong," he said, his voice a bit deeper. It was a subtle sign he was trying to keep his cool.Noelle, who wa
Noelle giggled and gently pushed Charles away. "Okay, it's getting late." She checked the time. "But I'm not going with you!"Charles squinted. "Oh?""You forgot. Only Grandpa and a few others know we're married. If we arrive at Winter's wedding together, it'll raise eyebrows!" Noelle explained. Noticing Charles's frown, she knew he did not like the idea, so she stood on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on the corner of his mouth.Charles's eyes grew more intense as he pulled Noelle closer and kissed her deeply before she could even catch her breath.Swept up in the moment, Noelle kissed him back. It was hard for them to let go of each other. After a moment, Noelle stepped back, her lips slightly pursed to catch her breath.Charles noticed her smudged lipstick, and his gaze grew even warmer.Noelle knew Charles well enough by now. She stepped back, playfully scolding, "We've got things to do today. Let's keep it professional!"She applied her lipstick once more and grabbed
"You sound happy. Did Bob take it easy on you yesterday?" Charles teased with an icy laugh.Sean felt a rush of frustration but held back his words when he saw who was at his door. He gulped, trying to look harmless under the man's sharp gaze. "Hey, bro. What brings you here?" he asked with a nervous grin.Bob, Sean's cousin, gave him a chilly look. "You don't need to know about my deal with Charles. All you need to know is that you've got to go to that party, or else..." Bob's lips twisted into a sly smile. "If I head back to Cascade City, you'll be stuck with the Smith family business, and you wouldn't like that, would you?"Sean's heart sank. "No, I wouldn't. I think you should stay in Brookville. You're too important to the Smith family!" Sean was ashamed of his own words. "But what does your mom want by sending you to the party? Does she know the Shaws?""That's not your concern," Bob said, his face hardening. "It's getting late," he reminded Sean.Sean snapped to attention.
"Sean, stop messing around. Let go of me first," Liliana tugged at Sean's arm, realizing how tightly he was holding her. "You're choking me."Only then did Sean loosen his grip slightly, though he still did not let her go. His forehead rested against hers, and he panted softly. "Liliana, do you remember what you said to me in the fire?"Liliana's face turned red, and she awkwardly turned her head away. "N-No, I don't remember. What did I say? I don't think I—mmph..."Before she could finish, Sean kissed her, swallowing the rest of her words with that one stubborn kiss.Liliana raised her hands and smacked Sean on the shoulder, trying to push him away. "Sea—mmph, what are you doing? Let me go..."She shoved him hard, and Sean stumbled back, clutching his chest. Liliana's face went pale, and she rushed over. "Sean, what's wrong? Are you okay? Did I hurt you somewhere?"Nonetheless, Sean took the opportunity to wrap his arms around her again. That feeling of holding her tightly
Noelle raised an eyebrow. "I didn't say that."Then, she added, "That knot in Liliana's heart can only be undone by Sean."What happened back then had always been a shadow between the two of them. Noelle had noticed it these past few days. Though Liliana stubbornly claimed she no longer cared, she clutched her phone every single day, obviously waiting for a call.Liliana's social circle was small. Noelle and the others knew everyone she knew. Who else could she be waiting for but Sean?Charles furrowed his brows. "If Liliana can't have the best, then she's better off with nothing."Noelle could not help but laugh. "Alright, alright. I know you're still holding a grudge against Hayes and Savannah."Honestly, Noelle shared the sentiment. "Savannah really crossed a line with how she handled everything."Charles reached out and gently pinched Noelle's knuckles. "That's not what I meant."Noelle chuckled, exasperated. "I know."Outside, the sound of a car engine drew their attentio
Sean shoved Hayes away. "Dad, if you're just like Mom and trying to stop me from being with Liliana, then don't even bother. If I can't marry Liliana in this lifetime, I won't marry anyone else."With that, Sean lay down decisively. Hayes frowned. "Sean, this isn't about what we want anymore. It's about Liliana and Charles now."Truthfully, Hayes did not have many opinions about Sean and Liliana's relationship. He was always too busy with the company to pay attention to such things. Even the events from four years ago were only now becoming clearer to him."If you insist on marrying her, I won't stop you. But from what I can see, the problem lies with Liliana and Charles."Sean's gaze sharpened as he clenched his fists. "That's impossible. Liliana already forgave me back when the fire happened. She promised that if we both made it out, she'd marry me."Hayes sighed. "Your mother… She misunderstood Liliana and said some harsh things. Just rest for now. Once you're better, we'll go
Sean spat out a mouthful of blood. One hand gripped the bedsheet tightly, his gaze turning darker than ever."What do you mean by that? What do you mean she doesn't want to marry me? She promised me. She said that as long as I was willing to walk out of that fire with her, she'd be with me. You're lying to me, aren't you? Tell me you're lying to me."Sean's bloodshot eyes locked on Savannah's. "Tell me."Savannah was momentarily stunned by the sheer force of Sean's gaze. This was the first time she ever felt fear in front of her own son. "Sean, I…""Where's Liliana?" Sean demanded."Sean," Hayes called out as he pushed open the door and stepped in. "That's no way to speak to your mother.""Then how should I speak to her?" Sean's voice turned icy."Did you know it was Joanna who drugged me nine years ago? And while I was under the influence, I forced myself on Liliana? I misunderstood her, and as a result, she had to hide in the countryside for years."Four years ago, it was me
The operating room door swung open, and Liliana spun around. She saw Saxon step out. Not caring about anyone else’s opinions, she grabbed his hand. "Mr. Holt, how's Sean?"Saxon looked down at their hands, noting how soft and warm hers was. He met her eyes and nodded. "The patient is out of danger now. He should wake up by tomorrow."Hearing that, Liliana let out a sigh of relief and then suddenly fainted."Liliana!"Charles rushed over and wrapped Liliana in a tight hug, but his eyes quickly darted to Hayes and Savannah. "Now that Sean is safe, Sean's fate is no longer Liliana's concern, nor ours," he declared, speaking for the Hoffman family.With those words, Charles carried Liliana away. Saxon was tugged along by Linda. "Saxon, you should check on her. The young lady seemed off to me. She's been hiding her pain. Besides the wound on her shoulder, I think she breathed in a lot of smoke."Saxon's eyes shimmered for a moment. "Yeah, I'm aware."Liliana had been pushing through
"Charles, you…""Stop it!" Hayes was taken aback by Savannah suddenly slapping Liliana. He did not particularly like or dislike Liliana, but she was part of the Hoffman family, and their family commanded much respect. Besides, Noelle was still Charles's wife, and they had to be careful about their actions.Hayes turned to Charles. "I'm sorry, my wife acted without thinking. But what in the world happened today?"Hayes had been told that his son was hurt, but he did not know the details. When he arrived and saw Liliana was there and injured too, Hayes and Savannah could not help but think that Liliana must be connected to Sean's injury.Charles gave a sharp look. "It was Joanna's doing.""Joanna? No, that can't be!" Savannah was shocked to hear the name Joanna, and she quickly objected, "Joanna is such a sweet girl, she couldn't possibly...""Oh, sweet indeed!"Liliana, who had been silent until then, finally spoke. She narrowed her eyes and stood up, ignoring the pain from her w
"Liliana!""Get up quickly!" Liliana used all her strength to pull Sean up from the ground. "Can you walk?""Uh-huh!" Sean had been hit by a falling piece of wood on his leg when he tried to push Liliana out earlier. That was why he could not get out in time and could only hear Liliana's loud calls from outside.He had wished so badly for Liliana to leave quickly, but she had come back for him.Sean bit down hard and pushed himself up.Even if it was hard to walk, he had to try because Liliana wanted him to stand.Liliana slung Sean's arm over her shoulder, noticing his injury. Her eyes were red with tears. "Sean, hang in there. If we both make it out today, I'll forgive you. You can ask me to do anything.""Really?" Sean's eyes sparkled, and he smiled. "Liliana, I don't want you to do anything." In his heart, he added, ‘I just want you to marry me.’"The fire is licking at our heels, and you two are still dawdling," came Charles's icy voice from up ahead. In a flash, he was be
"Sean, where are you? Didn't you just say you love me?" she cried out. "How can you leave me like this, saying you love me and then j-j-just giving up? What am I supposed to do now?"Sean, you took our child from me. How could you think I'd just forgive you? If you don't make this right, I swear I'll never forgive you," Liliana yelled outside, her voice filled with madness. Inside, the plant was engulfed in flames. Shaking from head to toe, Liliana's screams slowly turned into a whisper. She clenched her hands tight, staring blankly at the fire. "If you're gone, what's left for me here?""Liliana!"Charles rushed over and saw Liliana moving toward the flames. He grabbed her and pulled her back. "What are you doing?"Liliana looked up, dazed, and saw Charles. She quickly stood up and grabbed his hand. "Charles, please. I'm begging you. Help me save Sean, please!"Charles's brow creased as he looked at the fiery red inferno, his fingers tensing. "Liliana, the fire's too big. Sean mi
Liliana shoved Sean aside and covered him with her body, taking a knife stab from Joanna. "Ugh..."Pain whitened Liliana's face, and blood dripped onto Sean's face. Reacting quickly, Sean rolled over, picked Liliana up in his arms, and seized Joanna's neck, twisting it hard until it cracked. Joanna's eyes bulged in disbelief as she stared at Sean."You..."She had not thought Sean would actually snap her neck. Her eyes were wide open, one hand clutching a knife, and the other holding a lighter.With her last breath, she tossed the lighter.A loud bang followed, and flames started to spread from that spot.Sean's eyes darkened as he carried Liliana and dashed for the exit. However, how could he outrun the swift spread of the fire while burdened with Liliana's weight?Liliana's eyes widened as she saw the flames creeping up behind them. She pushed Sean, urging him, "Go now, or it'll be too late!"However, Sean's eyes turned a deep red with emotion. "Liliana, I won't let go of you