The staff immediately stepped in. "Ladies, please leave immediately." "Wendy, you can't treat us like this…!" With a swift motion of the hand, a group of security guards appeared and escorted Edith, Jessica, Trish, Lilian, and Natalie out of the venue without hesitation. As they were forced out, Edith almost stumbled, but Jessica and Trish caught her on either side. "Grandma, are you alright?" Edith quickly shook off their support and shot them a cold glare. "Did you see that? Wendy is the prodigy!" Edith had always considered Jessica and Trish the Crone family's shining jewels. She had never spoken harshly to them, but now, her frustration poured out. "Look at the effort I've put into you two! You had private tutors, every path paved with money, and yet you only managed to make it into Ivy League schools and the top schools in the state. And Wendy? She was sent to the countryside as a child, and now she's a genius who can stand shoulder to shoulder with Mr. Hawk! Wh
Stanley hadn't expected Lucas to show up. As a man himself, he could already sense Lucas's growing interest in Wendy. Lucas was very into Wendy. Wendy glanced at Stanley, then turned to Lucas. "We'll go with you, Lucas." She chose Lucas without any hesitation. Stanley's sharp features tightened in an instant. Lucas was thrilled. With a gentleman's smile, he opened the car door. "Ladies." Wendy and Halsey climbed into the car. Halsey threw a glance at Stanley, her expression a mix of sympathy and a little bit of schadenfreude. That was what he deserved for treating Wendy poorly—now, Wendy wanted nothing to do with him. Stanley stepped forward, but just as he did, his arm was suddenly caught. It was Jessica. She clung to his arm, forcing a sweet smile. "Stanley, were you waiting for me?" Stanley looked up at Wendy. The luxury car Lucas had been driving was already pulling out of the garage, heading off with Wendy. Wendy had left. Stanley tore his ga
Stanley stared at the information in his hands, his eyes lingering on the empty space under the "Sponsor" section."Who sponsored Wendy?" Zayn shook his head. "We haven't been able to identify the sponsor yet." Stanley pursed his lips, a hint of frustration in his gaze. "What did Wendy do after she graduated at 16?" For someone like her, a rising star, graduation should've marked the beginning of her career, just like his own path. Back when he was at Harfield, Stanley had already dipped his toes into the financial and business world. By the time he graduated, he had already launched his first company on the Copper Valley stock exchange. But Wendy? She seemed to have no job, no clear path. That was something Stanley found puzzling. "I'm sorry, Mr. Hawk. We couldn't find any details. After Ms. Wendy graduated at 16, she disappeared for 2 whole years." Those two years of her life were a complete mystery. No one knew what she had been doing. "Until two years lat
Stanley asked, [Are you back on campus?] He was asking if Wendy had made it back to Clavendale University. After all, it was Lucas who had driven her home tonight. The thought of her getting into another man's car made Stanley's lips tighten into a thin line. The next moment, Stanley froze. A notification appeared, indicating that the text he had sent hadn't gone through. [You're not friends with the recipient. Please add them as a friend before you can chat.]Stanley was speechless, his face darkening. Wendy had blocked him. In fact, she had blocked him the day they got divorced. It suddenly hit Stanley—they had gotten a divorce. It was over. She had once loved him with fiery passion, but that was in the past. She no longer loved him. "Stanley, I don't love you anymore." Her clear, gentle voice echoed in his ears—the words she had spoken to him that day. She had told him herself that she no longer loved him. Stanley opened her profile—she had changed her userna
Harry reached out and switched off the TV with a quick motion.At that moment, Lilian walked over, her gaze filled with concern. "Harry, is Jessica asleep?"Lilian's voice softened, laced with sympathy. "She cried herself to sleep just now. Honey, Jessica has only one wish—she wants to marry Mr. Hawk. Can't you make that happen for her?"Harry's expression darkened, his voice cold. "What do you mean?""Honey," Lilian pressed, "I know everything. Jessica isn't even your biological daughter!"Harry bit his lip, remaining silent."Jessica has a prestigious background. If you would just reveal who she really is, all the obstacles would disappear. She could marry Mr. Hawk," Lilian continued, her voice growing more insistent.Harry stood up, his voice commanding. "I don't want to hear this again! You'd better keep it to yourself."With a final warning, Harry headed upstairs.Lilian, frustrated, couldn't let it go. "Why won't you acknowledge Jessica's real background, Harry?"Harr
Halsey had returned. But she came back alone—Wendy wasn't with her. Cyril asked, puzzled, "Bebe, why are you alone? Where's Wendy?" Halsey explained, "She had something to do and couldn't make it today." Stanley looked at Halsey, his lips pressing into a thin line. "What does she have to do?" Halsey flashed a sly smile. "If you really want to know, I'll tell you. Wendy went out to have some fun." Wendy went out to have fun? "Where did she go?" "To Feirwale. I heard it's going to snow soon, so Wendy went with everyone to see the first snowfall of the winter. Oh, and Lucas is with her too." Stanley's memory kicked in. Yesterday, Dave had mentioned taking everyone to Feirwale to see the snow, but Stanley had turned it down. He hadn't expected Wendy and Lucas to go together. Halsey chuckled. "Stanley, I think Lucas really fancies Wendy. He drove to pick her up this morning. Now, you won't have to worry about introducing Wendy to any CEOs." She feigned a sig
Everyone returned to their rooms. Wendy set her luggage down and took out her phone. When she opened her Facebook, she saw Stanley's friend request. He wanted to add her as a friend. They were divorced now, and he was with Jessica. Wendy didn't want to get caught up in any more drama with him, so she didn't accept. Wendy stepped out of her room and ran into Lucas, who was coming out of the room across the hall. He smiled and said, "Wendy, I'm right across from you. If you need anything, just let me know." Wendy smiled back. "Okay." Wendy, Lucas, and the other students left the hotel together, heading toward the vast, open expanse of Feirwale. "Wendy, look. It's snowing," Lucas said. Wendy looked up just as snowflakes began to drift down from the sky, soft and fluffy like goose feathers. It was really snowing. The streets were nearly empty, and snowflakes swirled around, quickly blanketing the ground in white. The powerful waves of the ocean crashed relentlessl
Wendy quickly tucked her cold, snow-covered hands into her sleeves. "Wendy, I got you..." Just then, Lucas returned, holding a pair of fuzzy gloves in his hands. He had gone back to the hotel to buy the gloves because he was worried Wendy's hands might be freezing. But when he returned, he found Stanley was already there. Stanley had arrived first and was now standing next to Wendy, both of them sheltered under the same black umbrella. Lucas felt a bit disappointed. It seemed his gloves were too late—Wendy wouldn't need them now. He walked over and asked, "Stanley, what are you doing here?" Lucas had also graduated from Harfield, but in front of someone like Stanley, who was truly exceptional, he still felt a little inferior. At that moment, the other students gathered around. "Stanley, didn't you say you weren't coming? What brought you here?" Everyone was curious about why Stanley had shown up unexpectedly. Stanley glanced at the group and replied in his
Jessica told Stanley she wanted Wendy's dress.Her damned competitive nature wouldn't let her accept being outshone by Wendy. She had to have that dress. She couldn't let Wendy steal her spotlight!This wasn't the first time, either. Back when they were at the hot springs, Jessica had bought the bikini Wendy wanted.Stanley stared at Wendy.At that moment, Samuel reached for Wendy's soft waist and pulled her closer. With a smirk, he said, "Mr. Hawk, there's a certain order to things—rules, you know? Isn't that how it works?"Stanley's eyes narrowed as they fell on Samuel's hand. When Samuel had his arm around Wendy's shoulders, it had been bad enough, but now, with his hand on her waist, Stanley could feel the icy chill rising in his gaze.Jessica pouted, playing her usual game of charm. "Stanley, now that Mr. Samuel is Wendy's boyfriend, she's acting all high and mighty with him behind her. You're my boyfriend. You wouldn't let me lose to Wendy, would you?"Stanley pressed his
Jessica, Trish, and Lilian all felt like they had been thoroughly humiliated as well.Wendy turned her gaze to Stanley. "Do you believe me now?"Her clear, bright eyes sparkled with a playful glint. When Stanley saw Samuel's arm still around her, his handsome face darkened, the tension practically radiating off him.This little minx!Even Samuel had fallen under her spell. She really had a way of getting what she wanted!"Wendy, we're here to shop. Did you see anything you liked?" Samuel asked, trying to shift the focus.The sales associate immediately stepped forward, presenting a delicate lace dress. "This one would look perfect on you, miss."Wendy nodded. "I'd like to try it on.""Of course. Go ahead."Wendy took the lace dress into the fitting room.Jessica, however, was no longer in a good mood. She tugged on Stanley's arm. "I told you she's bad news! Look at her. She's already gotten herself tangled up with Mr. Samuel. Look at how nice he is to her. I think he's comp
Samuel had arrived.Jessica and the others had already met him yesterday at NovaHealth, but now that they were seeing him again, their expressions shifted dramatically.Samuel walked up to Wendy and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I just stepped out to take a call. What's going on here? It looks like I missed something interesting."Wendy flashed a playful smile. "No, you didn't miss anything. In fact, you're just in time. These people all wanted to meet my boyfriend, and I told them it was you."Wendy shot Samuel a knowing glance.Samuel instantly understood. He wrapped an arm around Wendy's slender shoulder and turned his gaze toward the others. "And these are…?"Wendy introduced them one by one. "This is Edith, Lilian, Jessica, and Trish Crone."Her eyes fell on Stanley's refined, handsome face. As soon as Samuel stepped into the room, Stanley's expression also shifted. Clearly, Stanley hadn't expected her boyfriend to be Samuel."And this person needs no introduction. Thi
Trish immediately straightened her back, her fiery red lips curling into a smirk. "Wendy, don't be jealous. Dr. Ceylan is my boyfriend, and we're getting married soon."Wendy nodded. "So you've multiplied your assets tenfold. When is Dr. Ceylan going to give you all that money? Has he said when it'll be delivered?"Edith paused, caught off guard. "Well…""Looks like he hasn't said anything. I guess he can say whatever he wants about how much money he'll give you. But I'll say it again—he's a fraud. You should watch out."Trish's expression immediately darkened. Her boyfriend Dr. Ceylan was the one thing she took the most pride in, and she wouldn't let anyone tarnish his name."You're just jealous of me! You're jealous I have someone like him as my boyfriend!" she spat.Jessica's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Wendy's not just jealous of you. She's jealous of me too, because I have Stanley."Before Wendy could respond, a deep, magnetic voice interrupted them."What are you all doi
Stanley frowned slightly, his handsome brow furrowing as he asked, "Who gave these to you?"Wendy raised an eyebrow and replied, "My boyfriend!"Boyfriend?Stanley's face instantly turned cold, the warmth vanishing as he remembered Wendy had mentioned before that she already had a boyfriend. And now, this boyfriend seemed to have made his appearance."Is it that rich boyfriend of yours?""Yeah, it's him."Stanley let out a sarcastic laugh. "Someone who can afford to buy you a luxury car and a mansion must be quite the spender. The Hovendale circle is so small; I really can't think of who your boyfriend could be."Wendy smirked. "Well, that's your problem. I'm going home now."Wendy turned to leave.But Stanley blocked her again. "You really should get a job. With your education, you should be focused on improving yourself, not pretending to have some rich boyfriend."He didn't believe she had a good-looking, wealthy boyfriend.Wendy didn't feel the need to explain. Samuel ha
Upon that thought, Wendy quickly turned to leave. However, Stanley blocked her path. "Don't you have anything to say to me?" he demanded. Wendy looked up at him with her clear, sharp eyes. "About what?"Stanley pressed his lips together and then replied, his voice tinged with curiosity, "The luxury car you're driving, the mansion you're living in—where did they come from, and whose money are you spending?"Wendy straightened her slender back, exuding confidence. "Just know it isn't your money. I don't think I have to explain the rest to you."She tried to step past him.But Stanley, tall and imposing, stood like a wall, refusing to let her pass.Wendy smirked slightly, her lips curling in amusement. "I know you're very curious. Just like Jessica and the others, you probably think I'm just a housewife, living off the divorce settlement you gave me, with no way to earn money on my own."Stanley had indeed thought this way, as it was true that Wendy didn't have a job."You're h
Lilian and Trish were in shock as they saw Jessica pinned to the ground. They rushed forward, trying to help her. "Let go of her, now!""Third warning," one of the security guards said sternly. "We'll throw you out if you don't stop."In an instant, the three women were unceremoniously thrown out of Royale Residences. The heavy doors slammed shut behind them with a loud bang.Jessica was speechless, and Trish was equally stunned. Meanwhile, Lilian just stood there, bewildered.They had never been treated like this before. Especially not Jessica—she was always the VIP whenever she was with Stanley, always treated with respect. But now, here she was, unceremoniously kicked out. This was definitely a first for her.Trish, burning with anger, snapped. "This is all Wendy's fault! What's going on, Jessica? Wendy's driving luxury cars and living in mansions, and now she's thrown us out? Has she lost her mind?"Jessica clenched her fists. "What other explanation could there be? She o
Lilian sneered, "Wendy, you still claim you didn't follow Mr. Hawk here? You're clearly stalking him! You're so manipulative. You even knew Stanley lived on the 9th floor. Are you obsessed or something? What's wrong with you?" Wendy turned to Stanley. "You live on the 9th floor?"Stanley simply pointed with his eyes toward Unit 901. "This is mine."Wendy nodded. "I see."She walked up to the door of Unit 902, and typed in the code. With a soft click, the door swung open.Jessica, Trish, and Lilian stood there with their mouths agape.Wendy lived in Unit 902? She actually lived at Royale Residences—and she was right across the hall from Stanley?!Wendy stepped inside, but before closing the door, she looked back at Jessica and the others. "Looks like you were right after all. We are actually neighbors."With that, she shut the door with a definitive slam.Lilian sucked in a sharp breath. What kind of luck did that brat have? How did she suddenly end up with a luxury car and
No way. How could that be?Stanley couldn't help but feel a little amused. How did he even start comparing Wendy to the radiant and poised founder of NovaHealth?"Mr. Hawk, how about you give me a ride?"Just moments ago, Wendy had stood outside his car and asked him for a ride.Stanley chuckled. She had her own car, but still chose to say something like that. It was clearly just to tease Jessica.And to provoke him a little, too.This woman was getting bolder and bolder.At that moment, Jessica, Trish, and Lilian climbed into the car. Jessica took the front seat, while Trish and Lilian settled into the back. Stanley pressed the accelerator, and the Rolls-Royce Phantom glided smoothly onto the road.Jessica could hardly believe it. Wendy, driving the same kind of car as Stanley? What kind of person was she to afford a Rolls-Royce?"Did Wendy spend your money again, Mr. Hawk?" Lilian asked.Trish immediately piped up, "Mr. Hawk, when you two got divorced, did you give Wendy a