Sienna immediately chimed in, "Jessica's right! The genius freshman could be ugly and overweight. Your illusion will shatter once you see her."Jessica and Sienna both started poking fun at the genius freshman, trying to stir the pot.Benny, however, was unfazed. "I've seen my fair share of pretty faces, and they don't interest me. Even if this genius freshman isn't anything special, my feelings wouldn't change. Marrying her would improve my family's genes."Jessica and Sienna were stunned by his response.It seemed Benny's mind was set on this genius freshman, and there was no pulling him back now.The other rich kids around them chuckled. "Benny, are you even sure if she's single?"Benny had no idea who the genius freshman was. A while ago, he had tagged her in a group chat, asking if she had a boyfriend. Her response had simply been, [Get lost.]He immediately pulled out his phone. "I'll text her right now."The other rich kids were excited. "Hurry up, hurry up!"Benny open
The highly anticipated pairing had already stolen all the attention, overshadowing everything else.Jessica's heart burned with jealousy, consumed by a deep resentment toward this genius freshman.At that moment, Sienna suddenly exclaimed, "Look, Wendy's here!"Stanley, holding a glass of wine, wasn't in the best of moods tonight. He was indifferent to everything around him. But when he heard Sienna, he looked up, his sharp, handsome eyes glimmering.He saw Wendy.Tonight, Wendy wore a sleeveless black dress. The tight fit accentuated her slender waist, and the puffed-out skirt made her long, white legs stand out even more. As she entered, she immediately caught the attention of many. Her long, jet-black hair flowed smoothly down her back, and a sweater hung casually from her arms. From his angle, he could only see her profile, which made her already delicate features look even smaller. Her pale, translucent skin gave her an ethereal, almost otherworldly quality.That aura of h
Wendy stood there, her eyes locked on Stanley.Stanley gave her a cold glance before turning his attention to Jessica, his voice gentle. "Let's head back."He had just acknowledged it—and he did it in front of Wendy.Jessica smiled sweetly, knowing that Wendy's heart was likely burning with a mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment. Wendy was probably suffering right now.A country bumpkin, still thinking to compete with her? Dream on!"Alright."Jessica wrapped her arm around Stanley's, turning to leave with him.Just as they were about to walk away, Wendy's clear voice rang out behind them. "Stanley."She was calling after him.Stanley stopped in his tracks, turning around.Jessica smiled. "Wendy, you two are divorced now. Are you still hung up on Stanley? Want to try to win him back?"Wendy stood tall in the corridor, her posture straight and unyielding. She didn't acknowledge Jessica, her eyes, clear as ever, focused on Stanley's distinguished face. She spoke, her voice
They had all hoped to see Wendy make a fool of herself, but in the end, she had humiliated them completely. It was outrageous!Stanley watched Wendy's slender figure as she walked away, his gaze deep and unreadable. No one could tell what he was thinking. He pressed his lips together, then said softly, "Alright, that's enough."Jessica quieted down, her anger toward Wendy still simmering beneath the surface. She tried to suppress it, focusing instead on her goal. "Stanley, you said tonight you'd introduce me to Bebe. Where is she?"Jessica hadn't forgotten the reason she was here. She was determined to marry Stanley as soon as possible.Having just seen Halsey, Stanley murmured, "I'll go find her."Without missing a beat, Jessica quickly handed him the limited-edition handbag. "Stanley, give this to her. She'll love it!"-Noticing that Wendy had been gone for a while, Halsey started to feel uneasy. She stood up to go look for her.Just then, Stanley called out, "Bebe."Hals
Stanley's expression softened a little."I like this bag. As a token of my gratitude, I'd like to invite Jessica to my house tomorrow," Halsey said.Hearing that she was inviting Jessica to the Lincoln family's estate tomorrow, Stanley nodded. "Alright."After he left, Wendy returned. "Hey, sorry I was gone for so long."Halsey took Wendy's hand. "I was just about to come find you."Wendy smiled in return. "Let's go. I'm hungry. Let's head to the snack street.""Alright. I'll take care of the bill," Halsey replied.Wendy immediately stopped her and pulled out a gold-embossed black card from her bag. "Don't fight me for it. Tonight, I'm paying. This is the card Stanley gave me when we divorced. From now on, I'll use his card. Let him foot the bill."Halsey's eyes lit up. "Attagirl! This is Mr. Hawk's compensation for you. If you don't spend it, Jessica will."Wendy stared at the black card in her hand. "How much do you think this card is worth?"Halsey thought for a moment. "I
"Sienna, you sure know how to flatter." After saying their goodbyes to Benny and Sienna, Stanley and Jessica stepped out of the bar. "I'll have someone take you home," Stanley offered.Jessica tilted her head, her delicate face upturned as she gazed at him. "I don't want to go home tonight. I want to go to your villa."Having done some thinking, Jessica realized she had been far too reserved. She didn't want to wait until after marriage to get intimate with Stanley.Stanley was a man, after all, with normal needs. If those needs weren't met, he could easily be tempted by other women. That was how Wendy had managed to slip into his life, taking advantage of a crack in their relationship to climb into his bed.Tonight, Jessica was determined to go to Stanley's villa, offering him a flirtatious invitation.Looking at Jessica's flushed face, Stanley pursed his lips. "I can't. I have to work late at the office tonight. I'll have someone take you home. Be good."Jessica's face fe
Halsey returned to the Lincoln family's estate, where the maid, Isabel Langstaff, was already waiting at the door. "Ms. Halsey, welcome home," she greeted warmly.Halsey had been born with a birthmark on her face, which was why she had been called "Clown Girl" or "uggo". Any other girl might have felt ashamed, but Halsey was always bright and optimistic. Because of this, she was loved by everyone in the Lincoln family, especially the staff.Halsey smiled and hugged Isabel. "It's good to be home! Today, I invited two people here. I'm going make sure it's a memorable visit."She emphasized the word "memorable" with a playful tone.Isabel beamed. "Are they your friends? I'm glad to hear you've been making so many friends."Just then, a luxury car pulled up, and two people stepped out. It was Jessica and Sienna, the guests Halsey had invited.Halsey smiled, her lips curling up. Speak of the devil.This was Jessica and Sienna's first time at the Lincoln family's estate. Both of the
"Yeah! We're all here to hang out with Bebe, while you can only play with that country bumpkin Wendy. How pathetic," Sienna sneered at Halsey.Isabel nearly rolled her eyes, speechless at the absurdity of it all.Halsey grinned brightly. "Oh, yes, I really envy you both for getting to hang out with Bebe," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.Sienna laughed. "Jessica, don't waste any more time with this ugly thing. Let's go inside and meet Bebe."Jessica wasn't interested in wasting another second on Halsey, either. "Sure. Let her wallow in her jealousy. Let's go."The two of them walked past Halsey, their arrogance radiating. Isabel couldn't help but chuckle. "It seems they still don't know who you are."Halsey raised an eyebrow, her smile turning devious. "Don't worry. I'm going to make sure they won't forget this!"-As Jessica and Sienna entered the living room, Jessica felt like she was in a dream. She had finally stepped foot in the Lincoln family's house.She w
Scarface gave Stanley the address and abruptly hung up the phone.Lilian immediately spoke up, "Mr. Hawk, you have to save Jessica1 Her heart isn't strong; she can't handle the stress!"Samuel glanced at Stanley, concern etched on his face. "Wendy's in their hands too. You have to bring her back."Stanley didn't respond, his expression hardening as he turned and walked out without another word.-Inside the warehouse, Scarface looked at Wendy and Jessica with a smug smile. "Tsk, tsk," he murmured. "You can question the character of the rich, but you can't question their taste. Mr. Hawk's ex-wife and girlfriend—you're both beauties. It's enough to make anyone jealous."One of the men in black chuckled, "Boss, we still have time. Why don't you have a little fun with them?"Scarface rolled up his sleeves and moved toward Wendy, grabbing her delicate chin. "Why don't I start with the ex-wife? I'll see what a woman Mr. Hawk's been with is like."With that, Scarface reached for Wend
Stanley pressed the button to answer the call, and a gruff male voice came through. "Hello, Mr. Hawk."Stanley's expression remained unchanged as he gripped the phone. "Who are you?""You don't need to know who I am. All you need to know is that the one you're looking for is in my hands," the voice replied.Lilian, panic in her voice, spoke up, "He's the one who took Jessica! Mr. Hawk, you have to save her!"Stanley's tone was cold as he asked, "Is Jessica with you?""That's right," the voice said. "Now, let me have her say a few words to you."Moments later, Jessica's frantic voice came through the phone. "Stanley, help me! Please, I'm so scared!"Stanley's lips twisted into a sharp, emotionless line. "What do you want?""I want money," the voice responded harshly. "Prepare 100 million, and I want it now."Stanley let out a humorless laugh. "You kidnapped someone, and you're trying to extort 100 million from me? That's enough to put you in prison for the rest of your life."
With that, Jessica turned and walked away.Before she left, she cast a quick glance at Lilian, and the two exchanged a silent, knowing look.Stanley and Samuel stood together, and Samuel glanced at his watch. "Mr. Hawk, Dr. Ceylan will be making her appearance soon."Stanley turned to Samuel. "How do you know Dr. Ceylan?"Samuel didn't answer directly. Instead, he said, "You know her too."Stanley's brow furrowed. Wendy had said the same thing to him before—that he knew Dr. Ceylan. Now, Samuel was saying the same thing. What was going on here?What did Samuel and Wendy mean by this?Could it be that Dr. Ceylan was someone Stanley knew after all? Had Dr. Ceylan always been right under his nose?Just then, the host spoke up. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us tonight. The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here. Let's welcome Dr. Ceylan!"Everyone's attention shifted upstairs, their breaths held in anticipation for Dr. Ceylan's arrival.Stanley looked up.
Seeing that Wendy had arrived, Jessica froze for a moment. "Why is she here?"Stanley's gaze shifted to Wendy, watching her intently.As Wendy approached them, Samuel wrapped his arm around her waist. "There you are."Edith, Jessica, Trish, and Lilian quickly gathered around, all eyes on Wendy, who looked as radiant as ever. Edith spoke up first. "Wendy, what are you doing here? Are you here to see Dr. Ceylan too? The doctor is truly a wonder whom everyone seems to adore. Even someone like you, a mere housewife, knows the doctor's name!"Wendy raised an eyebrow. "That's right. I'm here to see Dr. Ceylan."Trish scoffed. "Wendy, even if you do meet Dr. Ceylan, the doctor won't waste any time talking to someone like you."Wendy turned her gaze toward Trish. "And you think Dr. Ceylan will talk to you?""Of course!" Trish replied proudly. "I'm studying medicine, after all.""Wendy, today is a huge day—the real Dr. Ceylan is here in Hovendale," Lilian interjected. "This isn't the t
Wendy wasn't the least bit angry. "Is that so? Well, we'll see about that!"With that, she turned and walked away.Just then, Stanley's tall figure blocked her path. Wendy glared at him. "And you—we'll see about you, too!"Without another word, Wendy walked off.Stanley stood there, momentarily speechless. "Mr. Hawk, Wendy's completely lost her mind! Did you hear how she was talking to you? Has she gone mad?" Edith roared.Stanley watched Wendy's retreating figure, his lips curving into a slight smile. He suddenly felt that Wendy was...different. But what had changed, he couldn't quite put his finger on.Ever since the divorce, Wendy had been evolving, becoming deeper, more unpredictable.-Soon, evening fell, and the banquet began.Everyone put aside their tensions with Wendy for the night, dressing in their finest for the event.The grand hall was filled with prominent figures, wealthy elites, and powerful individuals, all gathered for a glimpse of Dr. Ceylan.Jessica a
Wendy was saying Stanley had met Dr. Ceylan.Stanley hadn't known this. A deep, probing look crossed his face as he studied Wendy. He couldn't shake the feeling that Wendy was hiding something from him.Right now, Wendy's eyes sparkled, glowing with an almost irresistible brightness. Stanley couldn't help but feel a strange stir in his chest as he gazed at her.Just then, Edith and Lilian emerged from the room, and Edith called out, "Wendy."Wendy turned to look at Edith. "Did you need something?"Edith's gaze was serious. "Did you take your father's ashes back and get everything settled?"At the mention of her father, Wendy let out a cold laugh. "Are you really pretending to care about my dad's ashes?""How can you talk like that? Jerry was my first son. I'm his mother!" Edith retorted, a hint of anger creeping into her voice.Wendy scoffed, her voice laced with bitterness. "My dad's gone. Who are you trying to fool with that? He wasn't even your biological son. You adopted him
At that moment, Edith, Lilian, and Trish all arrived, walking into the hospital room with expressions of surprise and excitement.Edith's eyes sparkled. "The real Dr. Ceylan has really arrived in Hovendale?"Stanley nodded. "Yes, Dr. Ceylan will be attending the dinner tonight."Goodness!The Crone family was buzzing with excitement.Trish, looking starstruck, exclaimed, "The real Dr. Ceylan has finally arrived! The doctor is my idol, my goal—the person I want to be. I can't believe I'm finally going to meet Dr. Ceylan!"Edith added, "Dr. Ceylan is so mysterious, always appearing and disappearing. We've been fooled by the fake Dr. Ceylan before, but now, we'll finally see the doctor's true face."Lilian, too, was curious. "Do you think Dr. Ceylan is a man or a woman?"Jessica shook her head. "I don't know either. We'll have the answer tonight."Edith turned to Stanley with a hopeful look. "Mr. Hawk, can we come with you to the dinner tonight? We all want to meet Dr. Ceylan."S
Wendy felt that it was time for her to finally show herself. The Crone family had been responsible for her father's death, and it was time to settle those scores once and for all. And then, there was Stanley. He had always wanted to know who Dr. Ceylan really was. Well, now she was ready to tell him.-At the CEO's office in Hawk Group, Stanley sat behind his desk, reviewing documents. His hand moved swiftly with a pen as he signed his name in the bottom corner of each page with a sharp, decisive stroke.Just then, the door opened, and Zayn entered quietly. "Mr. Hawk, we've received news about Dr. Ceylan."Stanley paused, the pen hovering in midair. His dark eyes shifted up to meet Zayn's. "Go on.""We've just received word from Dr. Ceylan that the doctor will be attending the dinner tonight. The real Dr. Ceylan has arrived in Hovendale and has arranged to meet with you there."Stanley's expression deepened, his gaze growing darker. He had been searching for Dr. Ceylan for wha
"It's getting late. You should go home and get some rest," Wendy said, her voice calm but firm.Stanley glanced at her, with no intention of moving. "You're right. It's late. Goodnight."Wendy froze.Was he staying here tonight?"Mr. Hawk, hasn't Zayn brought the key yet?" Wendy asked, trying to keep her voice steady."He won't bring it until tomorrow. So tonight, I'll be staying here," Stanley replied smoothly."No," Wendy protested, her voice trembling slightly.Stanley turned to her, his gaze sharp. "I'm informing you, not asking for your permission."Wendy opened her mouth to say something else, but before she could, the world around her seemed to darken. Stanley kissed her again, silencing her with a force that left her breathless.-In the hospital room, Jessica had been dialing Stanley's number relentlessly, but there was no answer.She tried Wendy's number next, but still, no one picked up.What were they doing?Thinking back to the images she had seen during the vi