At the Crone family villa…Night had fallen. Lilian sat in the living room in a silk nightgown, waiting for Harry.In her younger years, she had been a stunning southern beauty, cherished by Jerry, who spoiled her to the point where she never had to lift a finger for household chores. Later, she remarried Harry, who inherited Jerry's business empire and expanded it further. Her role as a wealthy wife was well-established, and with her meticulous self-care, she still exuded charm despite her age.The villa's main door opened as a maid let Harry in.Lilian's face lit up with joy. She rushed to greet him, helping him remove his suit jacket. "Honey, why are you home so late?"Unlike Jerry's honest and reserved demeanor, Harry had always been dashing and flirtatious in his youth. Now, as a CEO, he carried an air of authority that made Lilian utterly infatuated with him."I had a business dinner," Harry replied casually.As he spoke, Lilian caught a familiar scent on his suit—perfume
Stanley caught Wendy in his arms as she stumbled into him. His sharp gaze flickered down at her, displeasure evident in his tone. "Wendy, what are you doing back here?"Wendy hadn't expected him to come home. He was dressed in a sleek black suit, tailored perfectly to his tall frame, still carrying the crisp chill of the winter night on the expensive fabric.She instinctively leaned closer, seeking solace in his cool, composed presence."Stanley, help me..." she whispered, her voice trembling.Before she could say more, Stanley pushed her back gently but firmly, his brows furrowing. "What's wrong with you?"Wendy hesitated, biting her lip. She couldn't believe she had almost begged him for help. "I've been drugged," she admitted softly.'Drugged?'Stanley's expression darkened. This woman was always in trouble."Wait here," he commanded.Striding to the window, he pulled out his phone and made a call. His tall figure was framed by the night sky, one hand loosening his tie with
Upon seeing the name 'Jessica' on the screen, Stanley came to his senses.He was in disarray, his clothes half-wet, marks from Wendy's kisses all over him, and his breathing uneven. Just moments ago, he had been aroused.He was actually aroused by Wendy!Stanley didn't like Wendy. He attributed everything to the fact that he was just a man who couldn't resist the temptation of a stunning woman.Pressing the button, Stanley answered the call. He felt guilty toward Jessica—so guilty that his voice carried an unusual softness. "Jessica."From Jessica's end came the sound of heavy metal music. Her voice was sweet as she said, "Stanley, I'm at a bar right now.""No drinking. Have your assistant get you some milk," Stanley said. "Got it. My assistant always listens to you. Stanley, come join us. I'm waiting for you," Jessica responded. Stanley turned to leave.But just then, a small hand reached out and grabbed his sleeve.He turned around to see Wendy, completely drenched. Her w
Wendy heard a buzzing noise. Did Stanley just suggest finding her a man or two?He had made his choice.Without hesitation, he had chosen Jessica.It felt like a blade had pierced Wendy's heart, twisting deeper and shredding her to pieces. Trembling, she struggled to regain her voice. "Stanley, I'm still…your wife..."Stanley, now immaculate in a black shirt and matching trousers, had reverted to his usual composed and aloof demeanor, as if the chaos of moments before had never happened. His voice was cold and detached as he extended something to her."This is for you," he said.Wendy glanced down. It was an eight-figure check.Above her, his magnetic, unfeeling voice could be heard. "Wendy, this is your divorce settlement. Let's end this."Stanley placed the check on the bathroom counter and strode out, leaving Wendy frozen in place.He was going to Jessica.Just like her mother had done years ago.Wendy's eyes turned red, tears welling up until they spilled over. Once ag
Between Jessica and Wendy, Stanley would always choose Jessica.Wendy was never her match.Stanley cast a cold glance at the man before him, his thin lips spitting out a single icy word, "Leave."Terrified, the man fled without daring to look back.Stanley's sharp gaze lowered to Jessica, and he pulled his arm free from her grasp. "Jessica, have you had enough of this nonsense?"Jessica stiffened, her expression freezing. "Are you scolding me? If I hadn't caused a scene, you'd be in bed with Wendy right now!"Stanley remained expressionless. "So you drugged yourself?"Jessica, long spoiled by Stanley, lifted her chin haughtily. "Yes, Stanley. If you dare touch Wendy, I'll make sure another man touches me!"Stanley's face darkened, his mood oppressive enough to chill the air. Without another word, he turned and walked away.He left.He didn't even try to coax her.As Stanley strode through the bar, his striking good looks and commanding presence drew every woman's gaze. They
Stanley's mind wandered back to Wendy's delicate face, her soft lips fragrant and inviting. He had kissed her not long ago, and the memory of that tender moment lingered.As Jessica leaned in for a kiss, Stanley turned his head to avoid her.Jessica missed her mark and pouted. "Why are you avoiding me?"Stanley couldn't understand it himself. Jessica was the one he liked. A kiss between lovers was natural. He didn't like Wendy.But he had just kissed Wendy. The sensation of her lips was still vivid in his memory. As someone with an obsessive cleanliness disorder, the idea of moving seamlessly from one woman to another left him physically uncomfortable—almost repulsed. It felt unclean.Just then, there was a knock on the door.Zayn's voice came from outside. "Sir, the antidote is here."Antidote?Jessica froze. She had drugged herself, and Stanley had gone to fetch an antidote?Stanley removed Jessica's hands from his neck and stood up. Furious, Jessica grabbed a pillow and hur
Wendy was amused. Cecelia hadn't stopped cursing at Stanley and Jessica since last night. Her willpower was truly astonishing.In reality, Wendy had long learned how to heal herself amid breakdowns.Wendy unwrapped a large candy and put it in her mouth. The sweetness that filled her mouth brought a smile to her face. "Cecelia, take a break. Right now, let's just focus on settling scores. It's an eye for an eye."Cecelia knew Wendy was going to teach these people a lesson. Wendy was very capable.However, Cecelia couldn't help feeling sorry for her. Every time Wendy broke down and had to get back up again, it must've hurt.At that moment, muffled sounds came from the storage room. Wendy put the book down and smiled slightly. "Let's go. We'll start with Dr. Whalen."Yesterday, Wendy drugged Ted and had him brought here.Wendy led Cecelia into the storage room, where Ted's hands and feet were tied, and his mouth was gagged with a cloth. Seeing Wendy enter, he became agitated and b
In the living room at the Crone family villa, Harry sat on the sofa and looked at Lilian. "Lilian, are you sure Dr. Ceylan will treat Jessica?"Lilian smirked. Yesterday, Wendy, under the influence of the drug, left with Dr. Whalen. The two of them must have ignited a passionate flame during the short hours of the night. As long as Dr. Whalen got what he wanted, he would surely introduce Dr. Ceylan to treat Jessica.Lilian smiled. "Don't worry. Dr. Whalen will bring good news shortly."With that, she sat on Harry's lap. Harry, the CEO of his company, exuded the charm and authority of a middle-aged man. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she said coquettishly, "Honey, I was the one who brought Dr. Ceylan here. How are you planning to reward me?"Harry pinched her nose gently. "Didn't I already reward you last night? Didn't it satisfy you?"Lilian rolled her eyes playfully and pulled out a bottle of contraceptive pills. "Honey, I don't want to take these anymore. I want to get pregn
"Are you okay, Samuel? Have you been eating well? Is anyone bothering you?" Wendy asked.Stanley watched Wendy as she spoke, her face filled with genuine concern for Samuel. The worry and care were unmistakable, no trace of it being forced.Stanley turned away, unwilling to look or listen."I'm fine. Don't worry." Samuel's voice came through the phone, light and teasing. "Mr. Hawk has been treating me really well since he brought me here. I think I've even gained a little weight."Wendy knew Samuel was just trying to comfort her. A small smile tugged at her lips. "Hang in there. I've agreed to perform the surgery on Jessica. Once it's done, you'll be free."There was a pause on the other end. Samuel didn't ask why—he always supported whatever decision Wendy made. "Alright. Don't worry about me. I'm doing just fine."Wendy held the phone, her eyes lost in the view of the twinkling city lights outside the window. "After the surgery, let's get out of Hovendale. I don't want to stay
At the mention of those past events, Stanley's usually sharp features softened. "Yes, it was many years ago. I was severely injured and wandered into a forest. It was Jessica who saved me. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here today. She's the one who gave me a second chance at life."Wendy couldn't help but laugh, a bitter chuckle escaping her lips. She couldn't even put her feelings into words, only feeling a deep ache in her chest; a mixture of sharp pain and a strange, tingling sensation.She had always thought he had forgotten.She had always believed he had forgotten her.In reality, he had never forgotten.He still remembered her.All these years, he had kept her in his heart.To know that the love had been reciprocated—it was such a beautiful thing, even if he had mistaken the person.Wendy tilted her head back, her small face gazing up at him. "Do you remember the words you said in that cave?"Stanley nodded. "I told her I would take her with me, that I would gi
Stanley tried to gently push Jessica away, but she held on tightly. She tilted her head back, offering Wendy a bright, triumphant smile as she lay in his arms. It was both a taunt and a display of her smug satisfaction.Wendy's expression remained neutral, giving nothing away.Jessica continued to look at Wendy, a playful edge in her voice. "Did you come to see me?"Wendy didn't respond. Instead, her gaze shifted to Stanley. "Mr. Hawk, I need to talk to you."Stanley hadn't expected Wendy to approach him so directly. He started to rise from the bed.But Jessica clung to him, not letting him go. "Stanley, don't leave me! My heart's still bothering me..."Halsey, growing impatient, snapped, "Enough with the theatrics!"Still, Jessica wouldn't let go of Stanley. "Please, you promised you'd stay with me. I don't want you to leave."Stanley frowned, clearly frustrated. "Let go. I'll be back in a minute.""No," she whined. "I won't let you leave."Jessica threw a defiant look in
"Jessica took the crystal pendant?" "That thief! She'll stop at nothing!" Glinda and Halsey fumed, their voices dripping with anger.Wendy gave a small, mocking smile. "Does she really think she'll be safe once she takes the crystal pendant? The truth will always come out, no matter how hard you try to hide it. Let's go back to the hospital.""Alright."-In the hospital room, Jessica sat with Lilian, holding her mother's hand tightly. She asked anxiously, "Mom, did you tell Stanley to come?"Lilian nodded. "I did. He's talking to Zayn outside. He'll be in soon."Jessica sighed in relief. "Looks like Stanley still cares about me. Of course, as long as I'm still the one who saved him, he won't abandon me."She glanced at Lilian, a question in her eyes. "Have the kidnappers and the doctor been dealt with?"Lilian smiled slightly. "Don't worry. It's all taken care of. I had them drugged before they even started their task. Even if they're caught, they won't be able to speak. N
"Wendy, why are you crying? You're pregnant; you shouldn't be upsetting yourself like this." Glinda quickly pulled out a tissue and dabbed at Wendy's tears.Wendy couldn't help but laugh bitterly. She finally understood—it all made sense now. Jessica had been impersonating her all along!For all this time, Jessica had taken her place, pretending to be the one who had saved Stanley.Stanley had always believed Jessica saved him in that cave all those years ago.Wendy reached up to touch her neck, but there was nothing there. The crystal pendant Stanley had given her was gone.That pendant had been the token of their bond when he saved her in the cave.She hadn't worn it for a while, but she remembered clearly that she had left it in her apartment."Wendy, what's going on? Don't scare me like this," Halsey said.The shock hit Wendy hard, but she quickly steadied herself. "I'm fine. Jessica is a fraud!"Halsey looked at Wendy in confusion. "What do you mean?"Wendy straightened
Stanley stood at the door with his eyes fixed on Wendy, his body tense as though he wanted to step inside.But Wendy, not wanting to face him, quickly averted her gaze.Stanley froze in place.Just then, Lilian's voice rang out from the hallway. "Mr. Hawk, Jessica's heart is acting up again! She wants to see you. You should go to her quickly."Lilian had come to find Stanley again to tell her about Jessica's flare-up.Glinda and Halsey both heard Lilian's voice. Glinda let out a cold snort. "She's asked to see you again. Why don't you go to her?"Halsey muttered, "Jessica's always complaining about heart pains. She's been doing it for years, and yet she's still alive and kicking. It's a miracle."Stanley remained standing tall in the doorway, his eyes still on Wendy.Wendy stayed silent as Halsey poured a glass of warm water. She took it, her eyes lowered as she drank slowly. Her delicate profile glowed in the soft light, almost ethereal.Lilian's voice rang out once more, urg
The kidnappers and Cary exchanged glances. Their composure finally cracked."Mr. Hawk, I'll talk!" Cary was the first to speak.Stanley's lips curled into a faint smile. "Good. Then speak. Who sent you? Who ordered all of this?"Cary swallowed hard. "Mr. Hawk, someone offered a large sum of money to buy the baby in Wendy's womb. That person is—"But before he could finish the name, Cary suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.Stanley's expression changed instantly. "Someone! Get in here!"A medical team rushed into the room to check on him.Before they could finish, the rest of the kidnappers began to spit up blood as well, collapsing to the floor one by one.One of the doctors stood up, his face grave. "Mr. Hawk, it's no use. They've been poisoned. None of them will be able to speak."Stanley's sharp, chiseled features darkened with cold fury. Zayn leaned in and muttered, "Mr. Hawk, looks like the person behind all this made their move ahead of time. Once the job was done,
Stanley furrowed his brow, shaking his head in denial. "It can't be Jessica."Glinda snorted, clearly unconvinced. "Do you trust her that much?""It's not about trusting her," Stanley replied quickly, his voice firm. "It's that she wouldn't have a reason to do something like that. The child Wendy is carrying is Samuel's, and Jessica doesn't have a beef with Samuel. Why would she go through all this trouble to get rid of Samuel's child? Doesn't that logic seem off to you?"Glinda's eyes sharpened, and she smirked. "Yes, it's true that Jessica wouldn't have any reason to harm Samuel's child—unless, of course, the child Wendy's carrying isn't actually Samuel's, right?"Stanley froze, his mind catching up with her words. He looked at Glinda and Halsey, confusion growing in his eyes. "What exactly are you trying to say?"Both Glinda and Halsey were well aware of Stanley's misunderstanding regarding the child Wendy was carrying. He had always believed it wasn't his.Now, they decided
Stanley stood there, silent, feeling like a rat in the street—everyone was out to get him now.Nobody wanted him around."Grandma, I just want to see Wendy," he said softly.Glinda sighed, her patience worn thin. "Fine. Just one look."Stanley sat down at the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on Wendy's delicate face. Without thinking, he reached out to touch her.Glinda swatted his hand away with a sharp smack, glaring at him. "I only said you could look, not touch!"Stanley fell silent, withdrawing his hand. "What did the doctor say? How's the baby? Is it alright?"Glinda shot him a sharp look. "Thanks for your concern. Wendy and the baby are both fine."Stanley pressed his lips together, absorbing the information in silence.Glinda's voice softened, but her words were pointed. "Wendy's pregnant now. Don't you want to be a father?"The room fell quiet, her words barely a whisper as she asked him under the soft glow of the lights. Stanley hesitated, his expression unreadable