Corinne was not worried that Lilliana and Sherlyn would destroy the painting, mainly because Marvin was always very secretive about Nellie Nymphaea, and they were thus unaware that she was Corinne's mother. Even if they did find out the truth, Corinne was certain that they would not do anything to her mother's painting. After all, Lilliana and Sherlyn might not like her mother, but they loved riches and would probably be more than happy to be given something of such value....Corinne went out of her home, walked to a nearby bus stop, and began to wait for a bus back to the Holden home.As she waited for the bus, a black car slowly drove over and stopped in front of her.It was none other than Jeremy's vehicle. 'D*mn it, why do I always have to run into him outside?' Is the world too small, or did he just happen to be wherever she went?Tommy got down from the front passenger seat and opened the rear seat door for her. He then said respectfully, "Please get in the car, Miss Corinn
At the entrance of the Asian restaurant, Jeremy strode out of the car with Corinne by his side before walking into the restaurant.Tommy respectfully stood by the car and stared incredulously at Jeremy from behind.After Corinne suggested that they get some Asian food, he casually called Jeremy to inform him of Corinne's request. Little did he expect that Jeremy would agree to cancel the reservation at the French restaurant and change the venue to an Asian restaurant. His attitude toward Corinne seemed to be different from most.However, the more important issue was whether or not Asian cuisine even suited his taste palate....The aroma in the Asian restaurant was characteristically rich and spicy. Corinne had chosen a seat by the window, and she held a pen while browsing through the menu. Then, she raised her head and asked, "Do you take spicy food?"Jeremy, who was sitting opposite her, nodded slightly. "Yes."Corinne grunted in response and chose two spicy soups. The tables
Annie looked at Corinne with admiration and adulation. "I was right to make you my goddess! You're the only person who can bring my uncle down from his ivory tower to experience the wonders of this world!"The corners of Corinne's lips twitched as she smiled stiffly.It was not so much her ability as it was the agreement that existed between them. Since he needed her to cooperate in being affectionate in front of his grandmother, he had no choice but to be magnanimous and invite her to a meal.Jeremy shot Annie a cold look. "Didn't I tell you to reflect on your mistakes at home? Who said you could come out?"Annie pouted and stuck out her tongue. "I don't want to stay at home and spend my time reflecting on it! Isn't it depressing enough for me to get cheated on and have my wedding ruined? How could you bring yourself to have me lock myself up at home and reflect on it!"Jeremy ignored her protests and looked at the two people beside her.Sunny looked at Jeremy respectfully and g
"I'm coming along, Corinne!" said Annie as she stood up to follow Corinne.Sunny put his legs up on the seat, deliberately stopping Annie from following Corinne and Rosie, much to Annie's chagrin."Sunny, what's wrong with you? Move!"Annie rolled her eyes and said, "Uncle, look at him…"Jeremy slowly averted his gaze from Corinne's back and gave Annie and Sunny a cold glance. Instantly, both of them fell silent.…In the washroom.After Corinne was done, she left the cubicle to go wash her hands.Rosie, seeing her coming out, went over to pass Corinne her jacket. She sheepishly said, "Corinne, can you please hold on to my jacket? I just realized there's no hook to hang the jacket."Corinne nodded. She drew out some tissues to wipe her hands dry before taking Rosie's jacket.After a while, Rosie came out from the cubicle. As she washed her hand, she looked at Corinne apologetically. "Sunny has always been a blabbermouth child since he was a kid. I hope you won't take it into
Annie felt bad and sympathized with Rosie. "What? Don't panic. We'll find that watch together!"Corinne squinted upon realizing where the situation could be headed to.Sunny also joined the search. All of a sudden, he remembered something and glared at Corinne suspiciously. He questioned, "Hey, weren't you the one holding Rosie's jacket when both of you went to the washroom?"Corinne nodded. "Yes, I did. What's wrong?"Sunny looked at her disdainfully. "Then give Rosie back her watch now!"There was not even a change in Corinne's expression. "I didn't take it. How am I going to give it back to her?"Sunny grabbed her arms and treated her like a thief, preventing her from running away. "You were the only one who held Rosie's jacket. If you didn't take it, who did?"Corinne remained calm. "She asked me to help her hold on to it when we were in the washroom. I only agreed to help her due to that."Sunny snorted sarcastically. "Then you took the chance and stole the watch from one
'Does that mean Mister suspects I stole the watch like Sunny and the other people, too?' Corinne thought.Come to think of it, they were not a real couple; trust never existed between them. Despite feeling a little disappointed, she did not care too much about it.She shook her head and answered calmly, "I didn't take it."No one could tell what Jeremy was feeling because of his cold expression. He responded calmly, "Alright, then. Let's go."The strong smell of food in the restaurant was making him uncomfortable, and he did not feel like staying for longer.Sunny was shocked to hear Jeremy saying they were leaving. He frowned vehemently as he found it hard to accept having things ended this way. He swiftly ran over and spread his arms to stop Jeremy from leaving."Jeremy, why are you believing her when she was caught red-handed?"Jeremy's long eyes squinted. "The watch didn't go missing, did it now? What else do you want her to do?"Sunny stubbornly argued, "But she's a thief!
Jeremy squinted. "Then why did you give such an important item to someone else so easily? Since you've gifted it out, it's up to her how she wants to deal with it."Rosie's face contorted in pain.At this point, Sunny still sided with Rosie. "Jeremy, that woman is—"Sunny ceased when Jeremy looked at him with an unforgiving gaze."And you! If you ever dare to talk badly about my wife to me ever again, don't even try to call me next time," Jeremy warned.'Wife? Jeremy calls Corinne his wife?!' Sunny was dumbstruck.With that, Jeremy left the restaurant.Sunny gripped his fists tightly and asked, dissatisfied, "If Corinne is your wife, what about my sister?"Jeremy stopped walking, but he did not respond. After that, he quickly strode to chase after Corinne.Annie finally regained her senses and chased after them. "Uncle Jeremy! Corinne! Wait for me!"Rosie and Sunny both had terrible looks on their faces.The people continued to discuss the incident. Sunny stared at them an
The next day, Corinne arrived at the coffee shop near Starry Bridge at 3 p.m. as she was told. The coffee shop had a simple and elegant design. It was very quiet. There were only a couple and a man with glasses busy working with his laptop in the shop.After picking a place to sit down, she ordered a cup of coffee and a dessert. As she was enjoying her dessert, she started to monitor the people around her.The couple looked like they were on a blind date as they politely asked about each other's favorites and hobbies. There was nothing suspicious about them.The man with the glasses was tapping nonstop on the keyboard, and his eyes never left the screen.Who sent her the text message? Could they not have arrived?"Corinne!"She looked up when she heard a familiar voice. "Mister Richard?"It was her boss, Richard Channing from when she was working as an intern at Alpha Enterprises.Richard had gotten fatter. Corinne felt like she could feel oil squeezing out of his face when Ric
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