But Wendy missed. The person quickly spun around, grabbing her slender wrist with a firm grip. A cold, annoyed voice followed. "Wendy, what are you doing?"The silver needle dropped to the floor with a soft clink. Wendy froze for a second, realizing it was Stanley.Stanley had arrived."Wh-what are you doing here?" she stammered.Stanley released her wrist and scanned the room, his dark, penetrating eyes sweeping over the space before landing on Hank. "Who's he?"Stanley had seen Hank sneaking around downstairs, tailing Wendy, and decided to follow him up.Wendy opened her mouth to respond, but just then, footsteps echoed from outside. Her surprise for Lilian had arrived.Quickly, she pulled Stanley behind the curtains with her. "What are you…"Stanley was about to speak, but Wendy quickly pressed her hand over his mouth as the door flung open and someone walked in. "Don't say a word," she whispered urgently.-In the banquet hall, Jessica, Harry, Lilian, and Edith were
The woman beneath Hank struggled fiercely, screaming, "Let go of me! Somebody, help!" Lilian was overjoyed. This was exactly the scene she had imagined. She immediately shouted, "Wendy, so you really are having an affair with a man here! I'm so disappointed in you!" The people behind her gasped, whispering, "Is this really Wendy, the one from the countryside? How shameless!" Archer and Natalie, eager for a spectacle, couldn't help but sneer at Wendy. They looked at her as if she were nothing more than an insect. "Mom, Wendy's nothing but a stain on the Crone family. We need to get rid of her!" Archer spat, his voice dripping with disdain.Edith shared the same sentiment.Just then, the woman under Hank struggled, revealing her face. She cried, "Mom, Dad, it's me! Please, help me! Somebody, help!" Archer and Natalie froze. When they saw her face, their hearts sank. It wasn't Wendy—it was their daughter, Trish!"Oh my god! Trish!" Natalie gasped, rushing forward to grab Ha
Jessica stepped forward, trying to explain. "It's not like that—""Get away!" Natalie shoved Jessica aside.Jessica stumbled and crashed into the wall, a red mark forming on her forehead.Lilian rushed to grab Natalie by the arm. "How dare you hit Jessica!"Without hesitation, Natalie grabbed a fistful of Lilian's hair and scratched at Lilian's face with her sharp nails. "Lilian, who do you think you are?! You're just a woman who married your brother-in-law!"The room went silent for a moment. As the Crone family's wealth and power grew, Lilian's sordid past had been buried. But now, Natalie had exposed it in front of everyone.The whispers began almost immediately. "Lilian married her brother-in-law?""You didn't know? Her first husband was the older brother. When he died, she married his younger brother.""She slept with the man and his brother... That's scandalous!"Lilian, furious, lunged at Natalie, grabbing her by the hair. "Shut your mouth before I tear it off!"The tw
"Wendy." Stanley's voice was calm but edged with something deeper. "Mr. Hawk, you've been drugged!"Stanley pressed his lips into a cold, tight line. He had already sensed the change in his body.The two of them had been hiding behind the curtains, her soft body pressed against his and her delicate hand covering his mouth. He felt like fire was running through his veins; his thoughts scattered, and his body betrayed him.He'd fallen into the trap.Stanley reached out and gripped Wendy's slender arm, pulling her along with him as they left the scene.Outside, chaos reigned. The crowd was thick, everyone watching the fight between the second and third branches of the family, completely oblivious to their departure.Stanley guided Wendy away from the Crone family villa and into his own Rolls-Royce business luxury car.Zayn, ever respectful, asked, "Mr. Hawk, where to?""Saville Villa," Stanley replied, his voice flat.-Wendy was led into the Saville Villa—it was her first time
Wendy wanted to ease the awkwardness.Stanley lowered his striking gaze and looked at her, his lips curving into a teasing smile. "Help me?"He was drugged, and now she was offering to help him.Wendy froze, her small face turning crimson. She quickly waved her hands, flustered. "It's not what you think! I can help you in another way!""Oh?" Stanley raised an eyebrow, watching her flail in a hurry to explain herself. His tone lightened, amused. "And what other way would that be?" Wendy couldn't speak.Was he doing this on purpose? Teasing her on purpose?The mature man seemed to enjoy the playful torment.Now, standing right in front of her, Stanley's long legs were encased in tailored slacks, his lean waist adorned by an expensive black belt.Wendy dared not look below his waist. She couldn't look there. But her face was almost level with it, so her eyes wandered nervously, unable to focus on one spot.Then, she felt her face cupped in his large hand. His lips curved in a
No one responded.Harry was still outside, seeing off the guests. With a forced smile, he escorted Norman and Hughie to their car. "Mr. Walton, Mr. Fuller, as for our collaboration..." Norman couldn't help but laugh at the state of Harry's face. "Mr. Crone, you might want to see a doctor about that," he suggested, glancing at Harry's injuries. The executives got into their luxury cars and drove off.Harry, his expression dark, stomped back into the living room. He marched up to Lilian, fuming. "Lilian, is this your doing? You've completely ruined my reputation!" Lilian was the most dumbfounded by the whole thing. She still couldn't understand how things had gone so wrong when she had planned everything so carefully.Lilian reached out, grabbing Harry's sleeve. "Honey, let me explain..."Harry yanked away from her and grabbed his coat, his anger flaring. "I don't want to see you again!" And with that, Harry left their home.Lilian stood there, her face and neck marked wit
The bathroom door swung open, releasing a cloud of mist that enveloped Stanley's tall, handsome figure as he stepped out, freshly showered.Stanley was dressed in a sleek, black silk robe. As soon as he emerged, he overheard Nathan's invitation to Wendy for a fun night. Wendy turned her head and saw Stanley standing there. "I'll call you back later, Nathan," she said, disconnecting the call. She turned to Stanley, her voice steady but cool. "I'm leaving."She reached for her bag, but Stanley's deep voice, casual yet commanding, cut through the air. "Where are you going? Off to play with Nathan?"Wendy didn't respond. She simply turned to leave, but Stanley's hand shot out with swift precision, grabbing her delicate wrist.She froze, his touch burning through her skin. His body temperature was unnervingly hot, and his fingertips felt like they could scorch her.The cold shower hadn't cooled him down; if anything, it had only fueled the heat building inside him.Wendy tried to
Jessica arrived.Stanley froze instantly.The haze of desire that had clouded his judgment earlier seemed to evaporate at that moment. He quickly averted his eyes, a wave of shame washing over him. What was he doing? He'd been on the verge of crossing a line with Wendy.Wendy, feeling the sudden loosening of his grip, found herself freed. "Stay here. Don't go out," Stanley said, his voice taut. He turned and stormed off, likely to look for Jessica. Just moments ago, he had been consumed by lust, but now, with the mention of Jessica's name, he pulled away from her without a second thought. It was as if Wendy no longer mattered.Wendy's face, which had been flushed with embarrassment, slowly regained its natural color. A bitter smile tugged at her lips. How ironic—she, the legitimate wife, felt like the mistress, as though she were having an affair with Stanley while Jessica was the real wife.What would he do with Jessica now? No doubt, he'd be finishing what he couldn't wi
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