The moment he called himself "Mommy", Stanley was relieved no one else had heard it but him. He had his pride, after all! He'd never done anything like this in his life!Fortunately, Wendy seemed comforted when he said, "Mommy's here." She burrowed into Stanley's arms, her small hands wrapping tightly around his firm waist, and drifted back to sleep. Stanley couldn't help but think she was clingy. He looked down at her, noticing she wasn't crying anymore. But the soft tears still clung to her delicate lashes, making her look so vulnerable and endearing.A smile tugged at his lips. "I'm not your mom, I'm your dad! Wendy, try calling me Daddy." Wendy, still fast asleep, gave no response.Stanley wrapped his arm around her slender shoulder, settling into sleep himself.-The next morning, Wendy slowly opened her eyes.The early morning sunlight was bright, spilling warmth across the room. It was a new day.She tried to get up but then froze when she realized something felt of
He was calling her name.With a snap, Wendy finally managed to free her hair, the knot coming undone with a sharp tug.She sat up, her voice trembling slightly. "What's wrong?"Stanley looked at her, his expression unreadable. "Was that on purpose?"That was when Wendy realized something felt off. In the process of trying to untangle her hair, she ended up sitting on top of him.Her position was now him lying down, and her on top.Wendy's mind went blank, the realization hitting her with a shock. Instinctively, she tightened her legs.Stanley's firm waist was right beneath her, and her smooth, pale legs draped over his sides, exposed and almost blinding in their fairness.The moment she reacted, Stanley's sharp eyes flushed a deep red. His muscles, hidden under the silk of his pajama shirt, tightened and flexed, and he reached up, grabbing her soft waist, his voice hoarse as he said, "Relax."Wendy's face turned crimson, her long, dark hair falling in disarray around her. Her
When Wendy stepped out of the bathroom, Stanley was already gone, likely called away by Jessica's phone call. A bitter smile curved on her lips as she shook her head at the situation.Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts—it was a call from Lilian.Wendy answered quickly. "Wendy, Jessica invited a few friends over today. Why don't you come join us?"Was Lilian really being so kind?Wendy replied with a simple, "Sure, I'll be there soon."Cecelia, hearing the news, rushed over right away. "Wendy, I don't trust Lilian's intentions! Now that George is out of prison, are you sure you want to visit the Crones' residence?"Wendy remained calm, her voice steady. "I just need to confirm something."Still worried, Cecelia insisted on accompanying Wendy to the Crones'.When they arrived, the house was bustling with energy. Jessica's guests had all arrived—Benny and a few other rich heirs from their circle.The moment Benny saw Wendy, his expression soured. "Wendy, what are you doi
George turned to leave."Hold on!" Benny called out, stopping him in his tracks.George paused.Benny glared at Wendy, his voice laced with anger. "Wendy, are you even human? He's your adoptive father, and you won't even acknowledge him?"The other rich heirs, standing behind Benny, joined in, their voices full of disdain. "Wendy, it's bad enough that you come from such a lowly background, but now you're showing your true colors. You're selfish and heartless, and you only care about money!""How could Mr. Hawk marry someone like you? You're nothing but a stain on his life!"Everyone turned their blame on Wendy.Standing next to Benny, Jessica smiled smugly, clearly pleased with the situation.Cecelia opened her mouth to speak, but Wendy grabbed her arm, stopping her.At that moment, Lilian stepped forward, her tone dripping with false sincerity. "Wendy, you're in the wrong here. George is your adoptive father. You should take him home."Lilian and Jessica had clearly expect
George left, and Jessica linked arms with Lilian. "Mom, what do you think Wendy has on George? What kind of leverage does she hold over him?"Lilian smiled, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Jessica, that's not something we need to worry about. All you need to know is that Wendy is no match for you. She'll end up being nothing more than George's plaything."Jessica smirked. In her mind, Wendy—coming from the countryside—was nothing more than a match for someone like George. What right did she have to hold the position of Mrs. Hawk?Jessica praised, "Mom, you're brilliant!"Lilian's eyes shone brightly. "Jessica, your dad hasn't been home for several nights now. Why don't you call him and ask him to come home? He always does what you say."Harry really did treat Jessica like a little princess. When she asked him to do something, he'd never defy her.Jessica nodded. "I'll do it, Mom. I'll call him right now and make sure he comes home."She took out her phone and dialed the
But Stanley remembered when Jessica had just returned to the country. She had her eye on a Chanel handbag, and he had Zayn buy it for her. Zayn delivered the bag to Imperial Garden, where Wendy happened to see it.Wendy's face lit up with joy as she admired the bag, her eyes crinkling in a smile. "This bag is beautiful," she said.She seemed to really like it.Stanley replied, "She likes Chanel bags."Nathan smirked, "Bags, huh? That's easy. Thanks for the tip."At that moment, Benny walked in. "Stanley, Nathan, you guys are here!"Nathan glanced at Benny. "Benny, aren't you supposed to be at the Crones' residence?""Yeah, I did. And I even ran into Wendy and her adoptive father. Stanley, Nathan, you wouldn't believe it—Wendy actually rejected her adoptive father! She didn't even recognize him as her father." Benny recounted everything that had happened at the Crones' residence."Nathan, how could you still have feelings for Wendy? She doesn't deserve you. Now that you know
Glinda didn't get the chance to take the photo because Wendy quickly put it back in the box. "Grandma, this is a photo from when I was a child. It's so ugly. I can't let you see it."Glinda smiled and withdrew her hand. "I don't think you could ever be ugly."Freddy added, "I completely agree."Wendy, hearing the warm reassurance from both Glinda and Freddy, lowered her head and took a sip of the chicken soup.Just then, the maid's voice broke the moment. "Mr. Hawk."Wendy looked up and saw Stanley had returned.Glinda smiled brightly. "Stanley, you're back?"Stanley took off his jacket and handed it to the maid before walking into the living room with long strides.Wendy, still holding her bowl, noticed something strange about the soup. It tasted odd, like some kind of herb had been added. "Grandma, did you put something in the chicken soup? It tastes strange."Glinda's eyes sparkled. "Wendy, you noticed? I had them add some herbs to help with fertility."Fertility?Wendy s
"Stop the nonsense! Tonight, you personally bring 100 million to me, or your photo will be all over Hovendale tomorrow. I'll be waiting for you tonight!" George barked before ending the call abruptly.Wendy tightened her grip on her phone. Just then, Stanley's voice came from behind her. "Were you talking to George?"She turned around, seeing Stanley had returned to the room.His gaze landed on the box in her hand. His tall figure cast a shadow as he stood before her. "Grandma mentioned that he sent you a photo. What photo is it?"Wendy hesitated. Should she tell him about George? What would his reaction be if she did?She finally said, "This photo is—"Before she could finish, her phone rang again. This time, it was a call from Nathan.Wendy answered, and Nathan's excited voice came through. "Wendy, hurry up and come out. I've got a gift for you!"Wendy furrowed her brow. "Nathan, I can't really talk right now...""I'm right outside the Hawk family mansion. If you don't come
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