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
Stanley had seen everything from the balcony earlier. He watched as Nathan gave Wendy the limited-edition Chanel bag, only for her to refuse it.Wendy turned to face him. "Did you tell Nathan that I liked bags?"Stanley raised an eyebrow, his sharp features still carrying that confident air. "Don't you? I remember you liking them."Wendy smirked, her red lips curling into a playful line. "I don't like bags. I like more expensive things, like diamond necklaces. Next time, have Nathan get me one of those."Stanley's expression darkened for a moment, the mood turning tense. The conversation quickly came to an end.He cleared his throat and shifted the topic. "What kind of photo did George send you today?"Wendy had initially planned to tell him about the photo and George, but she changed her mind. She responded calmly, "Just a childhood picture he took of me.""Did George—" Stanley seemed like he was about to ask more, but Wendy cut him off. "Mr. Hawk, are you free? If you have t
Stanley didn't lift his eyes from the papers. "Go ahead.""Ten years ago, George was imprisoned for child molestation, child abuse, and attempted rape."The pen in Stanley's hand suddenly paused, its tip pressing down on the paper. He looked up at Zayn, shocked. "And the victim was Wendy?"Zayn nodded. "Yes, Mr. Hawk. George is a pervert and scum."Stanley's handsome features hardened into a cold, sharp expression. He had suspected there was some dark history between Wendy and George, but he never imagined it would be something like this.Just then, a ringtone echoed through the room, breaking the tension. It was a call.Stanley answered, and Cecelia's frantic voice came through the line. "Mr. Hawk, Wendy's in trouble!"Stanley gripped the phone tightly. "What happened to Wendy?""Wendy took a check to meet that animal, George. I followed her to the nightclub, but by the time I got inside, she was gone. He took her!"What?Stanley quickly stood up, striding out of the study.
George sped down the highway in a white van, frequently glancing into the rearview mirror. Wendy lay unconscious in the backseat, her delicate face pale under the dim interior light. His gaze lingered on her figure, tracing every curve with an unsettling intensity. The mere thought of having her at his mercy made his blood boil with excitement. Still, he knew he couldn't act recklessly. He needed to get far away from Hovendale—someplace where no one knew either of them. Once there, she would have no chance to escape. Then, he could do whatever he pleased.The anticipation made him flush with heat. Just as his mind spiraled into darker thoughts, the car in front of him stopped moving, and he slammed on the brakes. "What the hell?" he muttered, squinting through the windshield. Ahead, the cars had come to a complete stop. Drivers were poking their heads out of their windows, trying to make sense of the standstill. "What's going on up there?" someone shouted. "An accident?"
George's grip tightened. With a tearing sound, Wendy's collar was ripped open, exposing her delicate, pale skin to the cold air.A wave of memories hit Wendy, taking her back to years ago, in a similar cave, where she had been pinned beneath George. The foul stench of his body pressed down on her, and helplessness and fear engulfed her like a tidal wave. She felt as though she was suffocating, as though she was about to die. That young version of Wendy had been so close to death.She thought of Big Brother. Why wasn't he here?Suddenly, Wendy felt a weight press down on her again—George had leaned over her. She closed her eyes, bitterly realizing that even after all these years, when she found herself in a similar situation, her first thought was still of Stanley.She had grown up in some ways, but in other ways, she hadn't. She still longed for Stanley to come for her.Deep down, she knew he would never come.Wendy reached for her waist...But before she could do anything, a
Wendy was gently lifted into the back of Stanley's Rolls-Royce Phantom, her delicate frame placed carefully in the passenger seat. Stanley slid into the driver's seat, his large hand gripping the steering wheel with ease. He pressed down on the accelerator, and the luxury car smoothly sped down the road.Wrapped in his coat, Wendy felt the warmth of his body and the crisp, clean scent surrounding her. She could feel his heat seep into her chilled skin, and her small nose flushed a soft pink. A strange, fluttering feeling stirred in her chest. She never imagined he would show up.Years ago, he hadn't come.But now, he had.Wendy turned her head to glance at his chiseled, handsome profile. "Thank you," she said softly.Stanley's long fingers gave the steering wheel a slight tug as he pursed his lips, his voice firm. "Why didn't you tell me?"Wendy hesitated, not sure how to respond."I asked you so many times. Why didn't you say anything?" His tone grew colder. "Do you know wh
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