Corinne was surprised to hear Mother Cathrina talking about the past. She did not really know what happened to her back then, and all she heard was Mother Cathrina was a wanderer who happened to stumble into the convent and became a nun after receiving permission from the abbess. However, for some reason, the abbess did not allow her to be fully professed.Mother Cathrina sighed and looked at Corinne wearily. "The fact that you can't forgive them means you're still stuck in the past."Corinne would have been angry had anyone else said that. However, she knew she owed Mother Cathrina for the life she had, so she simply asked softly, "Tell me, Mother Cathrina—have you forgiven all the people who have hurt you in the past?"Mother Cathrina's eyes darkened. "No. I haven't. Nor will I ever."Some strands of her hair had escaped out of her headdress as though reminding her all the hurt, the pain, and the worries of the past would always be with her, no matter where she went.After a pau
Jason shrugged and smiled. "I guess I can go pray at the altar again. I won't bother you two anymore. Corinne, I'll find you later, okay?"He winked at Corinne before walking out of the main hall.Corinne could feel the anger flaring up inside of her. 'I told him to behave while he's here!'After Jason left, the usually taciturn Mother Cathrina grabbed Corinne's wrist and looked at her worriedly. "Corinne, what kind of man is your boyfriend?"Corinne was caught off-guard by the question. After a brief pause, she answered hesitantly, "Um… He's a bit older than me, and…I guess he's not that bad.""Is he good to you?""Quite," said Corinne since Jeremy's performance in the last few days was not that great, giving her cause to wonder if they really had a future together. Nevertheless, she decided to keep that to herself as she did not want to worry Mother Cathrina.Mother Cathrina stared intently into Corinne's eyes for a long time before looking up at the angel statue on the main a
Corinne was shocked to find out Mother Cathrina had been harboring this kind of hidden agenda all along. She cleared her throat awkwardly, "Ahem! Well… I must say, that's—"Worried Corinne might have gotten the wrong idea, Mother Cathrina quickly added, "Don't get me wrong, Corinne. It might look like I'm doing all this for my son's benefit, but I'm doing it for your benefit too. I don't want you to marry an unreliable man like I did. My ex-husband might be a good-for-nothing player, but my son is certainly not."Even as a little boy, he hated his father with all his guts. He even took an oath to either take up celibacy or swear loyalty to one woman alone for the rest of his life. My son is the only man in the world I feel is worthy to entrust the rest of your life to, so I had hoped you'd marry him. That way, you won't have to endure the pain of betrayal like I did."Corinne never expected Mother Cathrina would one day try to set her up with her son. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, M
Mother Cathrina waved her hand. "You go, Corinne. I'm not hungry. Besides, I want to commune with God to ease my troubled heart."Hence, Corinne did not insist. She simply nodded and said, "Okay."Mother Kalista could not care less whether Mother Cathrina joined them for a meal. She happily pulled Corinne, who had been their biggest donor to date, and said, "Let's go, Corinne. I'm sure Sister Cathrina will join us later when she's hungry."Corinne did not want to bother Mother Cathrina communing with God. She bowed to her to show her gratitude for raising her before heading out with Mother Kalista.While walking out from the main hall, Corinne saw Jason standing outside under a tree with one hand raised to pluck the leaves. Under the reflection of the setting sun filtering through the gaps in the leaves, his side profile looked even more handsome.'A devilish man like him shouldn't appear in the convent. He'll just be forced to show his true form,' thought Corinne.Jason sensed s
Corinne thought Jason had overstepped his boundaries by eating her food. She wanted to stop him, but he was too quick for her.'Oh well, I didn't really touch the food anyway. Might as well not waste it and let him eat it,' she comforted herself.After eating, Jason put down his utensils. "Mother Kalista, I never knew the food in the convent could be so delicious! Can I come by for a meal again when I'm free?" he asked.Mother Kalista smiled and nodded. "Of course! I just hope you don't mind how plain-looking the convent is."Jason looked around at the shabby-looking room. "It is kinda plain looking. Maybe you can consider renovating the place? That way, it'll be more comfortable for you all to live in too."Mother Kalista sighed loudly. "It's not that we don't want to renovate, but this place isn't really popular with the worshipers, so we don't get a lot of donations. What little donation we got is only enough for us to pay for our groceries, so I'm afraid it's beyond our capabi
Initially, Corinne wanted to say goodbye to Mother Cathrina as well. Fearing she would interrupt her spiritual solemn moment, however, she decided to leave silently.As soon as she walked out of the convent, she saw Tommy standing by the car talking on the phone. "Yes, Mister Jeremy. I understand, Mister Jeremy. I'll make sure Miss Corinne is safe at all costs."Corinne frowned. 'Looks like Tommy has told Mister where I am. But why didn't he call or text me?'She was finding it harder not to think that Jeremy did not care about her at all. Moreover, the Jeremy she knew was a man who was quick to be jealous, so how could he not spam her with calls the second he knew she was with Jason?'Maybe it's true what Mother Cathrina says; all men will eventually get sick of their wives. The only reason he's asking Tommy to protect me is not because of me but the baby I'm carrying,' thought Corinne.She silently got into the car.Jason immediately came rushing out of the convent and followed
Jason moved his face closer to hers. "I already have enough money for my future wife to live comfortably with, so what I lack now is a wife. Say, why don't you help me find one, Corinne?"Corinne frowned with disgust. She was about to leave her alone when the car door on the driver's side opened, and Tommy sat down with a serious expression."Ahem!" he cleared his throat loudly.Jason sat back in his seat without any signs of embarrassment."Mister Jason, where should I drop you off?" asked Tommy with a frown."You can drop me off at whichever homestay Corinne is staying in. It'll be more convenient to take care of each other that way," said Jason with a straight face."I'm sorry, Mister Jason, but Miss Corinne is staying with the Riveras at their summer villa. I don't think it'll be possible for you to follow along," said Tommy.Jason raised his eyebrow. "She's staying at the Riveras' simmer villa? Why, that's even better! I can just call Lucas to ask him to let me stay too."
After all, Jeremy did not seem to be as put off as he did with Jason when Corinne hung out with Zeke or Gerald alone."Why do you say that? Isn't Mister Jason an old friend of Jeremy's? As his wife, shouldn't I at least act polite to him?" she asked.Tommy looked at her complicatedly. "Mister Jason is an old friend of Mister Jeremy, but I wouldn't call them close. Mister Jason is actually closer to Mister Lucas, while Mister Zeke and Mister Gerald are close to Mister Jeremy."Mister Zeke and Mister Gerald would never do anything that would harm Mister Jeremy nor would they overstep their boundaries when it comes to you, Ma'am. However, the same can't be said about Mister Jason."Not only is he Mister Jeremy's business competitor, but he has, more than once, tried to steal you from him. I don't think he's going to stop until he gets what he wants."Corinne chuckled softly. "So guys form cliques and have drama between themselves too. Hahaha! But don't worry, Tommy, I have no interes
Sherman could not help but feel fearful when he recalled the incident.Rita gently smoothed his furrowed brow. "I knew you'd come to rescue me, just like all the times you did. I love you, Sherman."Previously, Rita confessed her love to him when she was groggy. At this moment, however, she was clearly awake, even sporting a faint smile on her face as she confessed.Sherman immediately blushed. "I love you, too."Rita did not stay long in the hospital; she quickly returned to the Parr family's mansion. Just as Sherman's grandparents had said, Rita did not have any major injuries, so there was no need for her to stay in the hospital that long. In fact, she might even recover faster emotionally under the care at home.Not once did Sherman bring up Rita's job, but she surprisingly resigned from New Capital Times on her own accord. It would be difficult for her to investigate cases with her current condition; not to mention Sherman had handed over the evidence to the police. The polic
"Sherman, I like you. I love you," Rita finally confessed.Sherman, deeply pained, pulled Rita into his arms. "This is all my fault. I should've looked for you quicker. I've never blamed you. All I want is to see you smile. It's enough for me as long as you're willing to let me stay by your side."You don't have to confess to me. I know it's hard for you to do that because of your family. I've seen the way they've treated you, and…"The bodyguards who had barged in with Sherman felt a bit awkward to see their company president in tears. However, the priority was to get Rita to the hospital for a check-up. Being tied up for hours could cause circulation issues, and it could be dangerous if her limbs did not regain feelings soon.In the end, they got the bravest among them to convince Sherman to let them take Rita to the hospital. Instead of letting them do it, Sherman wiped away his tears and, with ease, lifted Rita as if she was as light as a feather.Fortunately, after the hospit
With that, Karen left without looking back. She was carrying Vince's baby in her womb, so how could she pin all her hopes on Sadie? Since Sadie was obviously unruly, she would have to rely on her son.'Sadie can spend the rest of her life with Esmond since she likes him so much. God knows it had been exhausting enough to raise her. Plus, it's only fair for Esmond to take care of her since I've done my part taking care of her until now,' thought Karen.Meanwhile, the only consolation for Sherman was that Esmond did not try to put up a fight. It seemed that he still cared about his daughter Sadie.Sherman led his men to a dilapidated house. Esmond had been cautious enough to choose a rundown house situated at the end of a village.When Sherman barged in, he found Rita lying on the floor while Esmond's men ignored her. Esmond's men had followed his orders, and since he did not instruct them to do anything to Rita, they left her well alone.Before the men could react, they were surrou
Karen cried and silently knelt by Sadie's side without trying to defend herself. Sadie, on the other hand, feebly tried to explain herself. Alas. Vince refused to listen.There had been many occasions before when he had chosen to believe Karen and Sadie, but at this moment, he realized he had been terribly wrong to do that.Rita used to be so kind, understanding, and well-behaved. However, ever since Karen and Sadie moved in, Vince felt like his daughter had become manipulative, always trying to compete for attention, and stirring up jealousy in front of him.Unfortunately, it took Rita's disappearance to make Vince realize that Rita was not trying to compete for attention. All Rita wanted from him was to treat her the same as Sadie.Vince used to think that Rita should give in to Sadie more since Sadie was younger, too."Why don't you go live with your biological father since you prefer him so much? I never want to see you show your face around here anymore! As for your mother, s
Sadie was so anxious that she wanted to jump out. "Mom, don't tell me you fell for it! Why did you call Esmond? Now they all know where Rita is. You've ruined everything, again! What were you thinking?"Karen could not care less. She cried and slapped Sadie. "You nearly scared me to death! What would I do if something happened to you? I didn't raise you just to watch you die. I told you not to meet up with Esmond, so why did you secretly meet up with him? How can you ask him to get rid of Rita?"Are you out of your mind? All I want is for us to live out the rest of our lives peacefully, so why didn't you listen to me?!"Sadie was furious. Karen had stopped trying to get rid of Rita ever since she got pregnant, so how could Sadie not be angry? Rita was like a thorn in her side, and Sadie would never be happy unless Rita was dead."Don't you know I like Sherman? How could you ask me to do nothing when Rita has stolen him from me?! I was the one who liked him first. It's either Rita g
Karen wanted so badly to slap Esmond through the phone.'What good are his pompous words now? We wouldn't be in this mess now if he hadn't hit me back then! What's more, he's saying he's doing this for Sadie. But has he ever thought of what would happen to me and Sadie if he got rid of Rita? Rita's the heiress of the Russell family. Not to mention, she's married to Sherman, so that makes her owner of Parr Group too! What makes Esmond think he can get rid of Rita so easily?'Karen's breath was ragged as she said, "If you don't believe me, just listen to your daughter's screams. I can't save her now; you will literally decide her fate! Plus, I'm pregnant with Vince's baby, so even if I lose Sadie, I still have a kid—which is more than what I can say about you!"Sherman could not help but be impressed by Karen a little. Even in this dire situation, she did not forget to express her heartfelt feelings to Vince, letting him know that she was always on his side. It was certainly not an ea
"Sherman raised an eyebrow. "Don't worry, I'm sure it's just a minor injury, maybe just a finger. There shouldn't be any major issues. A sprained joint takes only a hundred days to heal, and it might take her even less time to heal if you take very good care of her while she's recuperating."Karen's heart ached upon hearing that. She lunged toward Sherman, wanting to hit him, but the bodyguards stopped her before she could get close.Vince, still worried, held Karen tightly beside him. "Calm down. I'm sure Sadie will come out unharmed if Rita's kidnapping has nothing to do with her. But if it does, then you should know very well that…"Vince's voice dropped an octave. He could not believe his daughter's disappearance had anything to do with his stepdaughter. However, he was not utterly naive.He continued, "How could a girl like her take Rita away? Even the car window was smashed. Others must've been involved. Does her biological father have anything to do with it?"Sherman nodded
"Yes, it's true I met up with my biological father, but it was just a one-time thing. I don't want to go back to him at all! Otherwise, I would've done it ages ago. Dad, I'm really grateful to you for taking me in and looking after me all these years. That's why I feel like you're my real father, even more real than those who share the same blood."How could you unjustly accuse me and Mom like that? Sherman is the one spouting nonsense here. He's trying to push all the blame onto us. Dad, you have to wake up and see the truth!"Karen nodded along, but her heart was racing. 'When did Sadie meet Esmond? How did Sherman know when I don't even know? Seems like Sadie does have something to do with Rita's kidnapping. I have to settle things and get Sherman out of here.'Karen never had the thought of rekindling her relationship with Esmond. The only thing she wanted then was to peacefully give birth to her son. Everything in the Russell family would eventually go to her son, and she would
Sherman detested people pointing their fingers at him when they spoke. He stood up slowly, towering over Vince instantly."You claim to be Rita's father, yet if I were you, I'd choose to shut up and stand aside. I can't believe you're scolding me for threatening Sadie when she's not even your real daughter!"Look at her guilty expression; it's clear she's involved. If you don't believe me, use your brain a little. No wonder Russell Group is declining under your leadership. It's only a matter of time before the company goes completely bankrupt!"Sherman showed no mercy, causing Vince to retreat with every word. Vince clutched his chest, struggling for breath.Karen, despite her weakness, stepped forward to support him. "How could you speak to your father-in-law like this? What has Sadie done to offend you? She has nothing but admiration for you. Plus, she's just a child. How could you treat her like this?"She went on and on, but Sherman stood his ground. Meanwhile, the burly bodyg