"Anderson Group has bid on two of the lands … One of them was meant for Mr. Leighton ..."Mark's subordinate trailed off as he finished speaking. He didn't dare to look at Mark.After a moment of silence, Mark sneered. "Stephen Anderson is really going all out just for a woman."He added, "Go and check on his schedule. Let me know what his next target is. I want to see how determined he is."The subordinate immediately responded, "Yes! I'll get on it right away!" Then, he fled the room.As the door shut, dead silence filled the room once more. Mark looked out of the window, his gaze darkening and glimmering with murderous intent.…Half a month later, it was time for one of the most important bids in the metal industry.A large lead mine located in Yearstown was about to meet its new owner. The bid had caught the attention of the leading companies in the industry, who were partaking in it. One could only imagine how fierce the bidding would be.Mark had long had his eye on t
The bid had been going on for two hours. The atmosphere had grown tense. But Mark appeared unbothered. He seemed relaxed in his seat, resting his chin on his propped hand. He nonchalantly gazed at Stephen, who was sitting nearby.Stephen and Neil were his biggest competitors in this bid.Mark had Stephen’s bidding document in his hand. As for Neil, he had limited funds, so Mark knew that he couldn't outbid him.Thus, Mark was confident that the lead mine would be his.Still, he couldn't help but feel apprehensive as he looked at Stephen.Everything had proceeded perfectly up to this point. Suddenly, Mark recalled someone handing him Anderson Group’s bidding document.On second thought, he realized how absurd it was.Stephen was a smart guy. What was he planning on doing by sending him such a confidential document?"We will now announce the result of this bid …" The host’s words jolted Mark out of his thoughts.Hearing the host announce the winner, Mark's mind blanked.Among
Mark was brimming with fury even after he left the venue. He kicked the trash can by the door, sending it flying. It scared his subordinates, who were trailing behind him.Right now, he looked like a raging demon. His subordinates feared they would be torn to bits if they got close.Hence, no one dared to approach him for a long time.Mark pinched his brows, trying his best to control his emotions. For a second, he had an urge to strangle Yvonne.It appeared that Yvonne had chosen to ignore his threat and enter the metallurgy industry. He was sure that her arrogance would only lead to her downfall!He closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were bloodshot and filled with hatred. It seemed that he had been too merciful before. That had emboldened Yvonne to walk all over him.Yvonne appeared determined to get in the way of his business. He decided to let her continue and make her lose everything.…Meanwhile, Yvonne felt a sudden chill and couldn't help but shiver.St
For the sake of the lead mine, Neil agreed to have lunch with Yvonne.It appeared that Yvonne had been sure that Neil would accept her invitation. She had booked a table in advance at a high-end restaurant. Their table was in a prime spot by the window.Once they sat down, the waiter served decanted red wine.Neil was surprised. "You were confident that I would accept your invitation?""Yes." Yvonne chuckled. "After all, I had everything under control. I have at least that much confidence.""Under your control? Or Stephen's?" Neil laughed. "No matter what, it's still remarkable."Yvonne detected a hint of mockery in his tone. It sounded as though he believed that she had attained her position because of Stephen's backing."Even at this point, you're prejudiced against me because I'm a woman?"Yvonne calmly raised the wine glass. "Do you think Mr. Anderson helped me simply out of affection? If so, I'm afraid you have underestimated him."Neil fell speechless.This woman wa
When a few men in black barged through the door, Stephen was sitting on the couch, casually looking at Mark approaching him.Mark sneered. "Were you waiting for me?""You can say that." Stephen leaned back and pointed at the armchair next to him. "Have a seat.""No need. I'll say what I need to say and leave." Mark walked closer and looked at Stephen with disdain. "Do you know what you are doing?""I do." Stephen said calmly, "Are you here to tell me to stop?"Mark's gaze darkened. He smirked. "I wanted to, but judging by your attitude right now, I guess you probably won't listen."While saying that, Mark placed his foot on the coffee table and leaned in toward Stephen with an overbearing air."Since you won't listen to my advice, I won't waste my breath." Mark's gaze sharpened with a hint of mischief. "I'm going to see how Anderson Group goes down with Yvonne and how you answer to the shareholders or that old man of yours at home."Stephen merely snickered. "Great. I'm a
"I just wish you could take a look at Jade." Howard said eagerly, "The doctors all say that you're amazing and that you're as great as Ms. Y. Jade came around thanks to your treatment plan. Perhaps you might have a way of helping her regain her memories."While Yvonne had been gone, Jade's situation hadn't shown any improvement. Howard knew that Yvonne was a busy woman, so he didn't dare push her for updates. He kept his worries to himself.That was when he had overheard the doctors privately discussing Jade's treatment among themselves. Chuck's name had popped up from time to time. After finding out about Chuck, Howard had decided to come to look for him.However, he had been worried that an important man like Chuck wouldn't want to meet with him.Howard was a little worried when he heard no response from Chuck. "Mr. Jensen, didn't you say you would help me?""Of course, I want to help you." Chuck looked troubled. "But before this, tell me. Did you tell Ms. Miller and Sir Jim t
For the following week, Chuck treated Jade every night, with Howard covering for him.Although Howard kept the secret well, Jim still sensed something was off.That day, he stopped Howard and asked tentatively, "You seem to be in a good mood recently. Did something good happen?""No." Howard denied it. "Jade hasn't regained her memory. I'm still worried. What could make me happy?"Jim sized Howard up suspiciously and asked, "So why don't you ever ask when Yvonne is coming back?" He still remembered how Howard had kept asking him when Yvonne was returning after she had only just left. Yet Howard hadn't asked about Yvonne once that week."I know she's busy." Howard smiled bitterly. "I'm just one of her lowly subordinates. How would I dare expect her to be only focused on Jade?"Jim frowned. "You can't think of it that way. Yvonne might be busy, but she has always been thinking about Jade. "She even called to ask about Jade yesterday. I've gone through Jade's medical records
Late at night, at Hope Health Services' infirmary, the sound of a glass bottle smashing into pieces cut through the silent night.The doctor and nurse on shift quickly ran into the ward to see Chuck standing by the side of the bed and Jade curling up, shivering under the covers on the bed.Howard soon ran in. "What happened?"The doctor recognized Chuck. He immediately asked, "Mr. Jensen, what are you doing here?"Howard replied without missing a beat, "I got him here. Don't tell Ms. Miller and Old Jim about this."The doctor furrowed his brows. "Is Mr. Jensen treating the patient? If so, this isn't a small matter. We have a responsibility. What if the patient—""I'm Jade's father. I'll bear the responsibility," Howard interrupted. He quickly walked over to the bed and tried to pull the covers open, but Jade had clutched them tightly."Jade, it's me. What happened to you?" Howard asked in concern."N-No … No ..." Jade muttered. She kept trembling. She was overcome with extreme
A light breeze blew by in the courtyard. Agatha slowly recounted the past.Back then, Daniel and his wife, Katherine, had just had Mark. The entire Carrington family had been celebrating.They had doted on Mark and taken him wherever they went.That day, they had headed out. Before they'd known it, Mark had been taken away.Just when Daniel and Katherine had been on the brink of losing it, they had received a call from the kidnapper to bring the ransom to a specific spot.They had gotten the money and driven there without any hesitation. No one had thought that they would ever return after that. Even Mark had disappeared.When Agatha finished recounting this, her cup of tea had already cooled.She wiped her tears away. She said through a catch in her throat, "Katherine was hugging the bag of money tightly until the moment she passed away, as though she were hugging you."Mark furrowed his brows. Now that he'd heard the truth about Daniel and Katherine, he should have felt pain
As Yvonne left the room, she could tell that Stephen's mood was much better.She looked at him. "Are you thinking of something nice?""No." Stephen looked at Yvonne with a rare twinkle in his eyes."Let me take you to breakfast." Before Yvonne could respond, he took her hand and led her to the elevator.Thinking about how he'd stood outside her room the entire night, Yvonne decided to let him hold her hand.Then, her thoughts drifted to Otto. Somehow, she had a bad feeling.…At the same time, Mark was in the courtyard of Carrington Mansion. He sat next to Agatha and poured some tea for her.He handed her a cup of hot tea. "Great-Grandma, try this."When he noticed that Agatha had no reaction, he called out to her once more. "Great-Grandma?""Huh?" Agatha came to her senses. She looked at Mark in confusion. "What is it?""You've been distracted since yesterday. Are you thinking of something?" Mark asked.Agatha shook her head. "Nothing." Then, she picked up her teacup and
Yvonne stood by the door of the bedroom and looked at Otto, who was looking out of the window in a daze on the bed.The sun shone on his face. He looked quite hungover and had a sickly pale face.Yvonne hesitated for a while before saying gently, "Mrs. Jenner called me last night. She's worried about you."Otto didn't respond.Yvonne went in closer and added, "She said that you called her and asked about your father. She found it strange."Mr. Carrington, why did you suddenly think about your father? Did Mrs. Carrington Senior bring him up yesterday?"All Yvonne got was silence.Luckily, she was patient. She sat on the couch and followed Otto's line of sight. Tiny dust particles were floating among the sunbeams. Yvonne also fell into a daze as she watched them float about.Suddenly, Otto asked, "Have you ever felt like your world was falling apart?""Hmm?" Yvonne was confused. "For example?""I mean, like the person that you trust turns out to be different from what you'd t
The next morning, Yvonne opened her door to see Stephen standing outside. She was caught off guard."What is wrong with you this morning? Why didn't you knock…"While talking, Yvonne noticed that Stephen was still wearing the same clothes as the night before. She furrowed her brows and asked, "Don't tell me you didn't leave last night? Have you been standing outside this door all this while?""Hmm." Stephen looked at Yvonne intently. "I thought you would've figured it out quickly."Yvonne was speechless, but she thought to herself that she'd slept like a baby the night before.She smiled at him. "Figure what out?" She noticed Stephen frowning as though he were on the brink of losing his temper.She quickly added, "I-I mean, you have to give me a hint, right? I've thought about it the entire night, but I still don't understand. My brain isn't functioning well."Stephen asked suspiciously, "You've been thinking about it the entire night?""Yes, which is why I didn't look for yo
"If I hadn't come to find you tonight, you probably wouldn't tell me anything about what happened tonight, would you?" Stephen asked in retort.It wasn't a big deal, as long as they returned safely. Yvonne wondered why she needed to report this to him.But she still smiled. "It's late. How could I disrupt your rest? It would've been the same if I told you about it tomorrow morning, right?"Stephen sniggered. "Yvonne, you still don't know where you've gone wrong."He suddenly went in closer to her. Yvonne instinctively retreated until her back was up against the wall. She glared at him."What on earth is wrong with you? I've already said that I would've told you tomorrow morning—"A punch went past Yvonne and landed brutally on the wall.Yvonne was a little stunned. She looked into Stephen's eyes and furrowed her brows. "Stephen, I don't want to quarrel with you for no reason. "Mrs. Carrington Senior went to look for Otto today. Calbert couldn't reach him the entire day, so he
Jane returned to the private room, distracted.She sat down next to Cory. She looked at him as he reached his hand out to her in confusion.Cory furrowed his brows and asked unhappily, "Where's the wine?""Wine… Yes! Wine!" Jane came to her senses. She was just about to get up when Cory pulled her back.He grabbed her by her chin and forced her to look at him. "What happened when you went out?""N-Nothing."Cory tightened his grip. Jane furrowed her brows in pain. "I-I… I saw Yvonne. She told me that she and Stephen got remarried.""What?" Cory relaxed his grip a little. "They got remarried?""Hmm.""So, what?" He had no intention of letting her go, and he looked at her sharply. "Does it bother you so much that Stephen got remarried?"Jane looked at Cory frantically. "Cory, what do you mean by that?""What do I mean? You know what I mean."Cory went in closer. His tone turned icy. "You used to pursue Stephen. Now that you know he's gotten married, you're in this shitty mood
Yvonne turned around to see Jane smiling at her ambiguously. She furrowed her brows. How were they always bumping into each other?Jane crossed her hands in front of her chest and leaned against the wall. She swept her gaze at Calbert and Otto. "Two guys and one woman. You sure know how to have fun!"Calbert instantly snapped, "What the hell are you talking about?""Why are you being so fierce? Did I hit the nail on the head?" Jane snickered. "Two guys and a woman came out of a private room in the middle of the night. Anyone would come to the same conclusion. We're all adults. There's no need to pretend to be innocent.""You—" Calbert was about to go up to Jane, but Yvonne stopped him."Since Ms. Ford is here, I'm guessing so is Cory?" Yvonne smiled, yet her smile didn't reach her eyes. "If you cause a scene here and this bar gets raided, guess who'll be the ones walking out here alive?"Jane's expression turned ugly. "Are you threatening me?""It's just a kind reminder." Yvon
Calbert and Yvonne managed to track Otto's car to a bar, thanks to the information they'd gotten from his staff. Otto's car was right outside the bar.Calbert looked at the neon sign and furrowed his brows. "Why is Otto here? Did what Mrs. Carrington Senior said really hit him so badly that he has to drown himself in alcohol?"Yvonne said nothing and headed directly inside the bar."Wait up for me!" Calbert went after her. He subconsciously protected her from all the drunk patrons.The lighting in the bar was dim. Many of the patrons were drunk and having fun.Yvonne and Calbert walked around the booth area, but Otto was nowhere to be found. They pulled a server over to ask if there was a patron by the name of Otto Carrington who had reserved a private room.Coincidentally, the server had just taken two bottles of wine to Otto's room. So, he led them to the private room.Calbert tipped the server before opening the door and entering. The entire room reeked of alcohol.He looked
After Agatha left, Otto stood in the same spot without moving.A long time later, Zac entered the office. He looked at Otto's back and asked quietly, "Mr. Carrington, will you still see the client?""No." Otto sounded heartbroken.Zac didn't dare ask further questions. He gently closed the door and reminded the secretary that no one was to disturb Otto.In the office, Otto was alone. He slowly walked over to the couch and slumped into it. His mind was in a mess."Alexander was the one who planned the kidnapping back then."Agatha's words rang in his mind for a long time.Alexander's young face appeared in Otto's mind, smiling at him affectionately."Otto! Amazing! Yes! Just like that!""You're amazing at badminton! You're going to make the country proud! I'm going to be so proud of you!""Otto, my son!"Memories of his interactions with Alexander flashed across his mind at that moment.Otto couldn't imagine that such a loving father would do such an absurd thing. Alexander