Kristen was stunned when she heard Rose's words. Just then, Rose turned to see Kristen standing there. She hurriedly hung up and dried her tears before acting like nothing had happened. She smiled and approached Kristen. "When did you get here, Aunt Kristen?"Kristen didn't answer. Instead, she entered the room and shut the door. "Who were you on the phone with, Rose?"Rose's smile froze. "A classmate. D-Did you hear our conversation?""Yes." Kristen's expression was ugly."That person was just spouting nonsense, Aunt Kristen. Summer and I are so close, so how could she possibly hurt me just because you treat me well? I… I don't believe it." Rose started weeping as she spoke. "There was something suspicious about the whole thing, but I'll always trust Summer, no matter what. Let's not talk about this anymore.""Something suspicious? What was it?" Kristen asked. "Are you still hiding something from me?"Rose abruptly stopped crying. After a brief silence, she said, "Stop askin
Rose's smugness instantly disappeared. She'd originally imagined Kristen siding with her and going after Summer to berate her for everything. How could… How could Kristen say something like that?Still, she said, "Okay.""Your Uncle Luke has been looking into the matter, so you don't need to worry about anything. We won't let the people who hurt you off the hook," Kristen promised.Rose was so furious that she almost exploded. What was up with this bullshit investigation? She could find the pieces of trash herself. She didn't need the Hartfords to do it for her!The fact that Kristen had told her to keep the incident a secret made it clear that she had her doubts. Yet she was choosing to side with Summer.As expected, all of the Hartfords were equally evil. She wouldn't let any of them off the hook! She would make all of them pay!…Summer went to school as usual the following day. Everyone, from the teachers to the students, treated her cautiously. After all, she'd changed too
It was only after Summer had gotten into trouble that she'd heard about Annie hiring a few gangsters to extort her after school that day. The handwriting on the note was exactly like the one on Lindsey's notes.So, it was her… Summer exhaled softly and put the notebook into her bag.…Meanwhile, Annie and Becca walked along a path happily."Summer thinks she's a big deal just because she has Hartford Group, but what can it give her? Can it give her good grades? She's still dumb, isn't she? Look at how horrible her grades are—even my dog can do better than her on a test!" Annie mocked."I can't wait to see her get lectured in front of the whole school. I heard whoever does badly will even have their photo put up under the blacklist on the noticeboards everywhere!" Becca said gleefully.Just then, some students looked up from their phones to give them odd looks. Annie frowned at them. "What the hell are you guys looking at?"Before she could continue with her tantrum, the dire
When Summer arrived outside the principal's office, she heard a woman's furious roar. "I know my daughter—she's been a prim and proper lady since childhood. This little witch must've done something truly horrible to push her to such extremes!""I didn't…" Lindsey said tearfully. This was followed by the crisp sound of a slap."You shouldn't get violent, Mrs. Sutton!" This was from the principal, Harold Green.Summer knocked on the door, making everyone inside turn to look at her. Though Harold had advised Annie's mother, Carol Bolton, against violence, he hadn't done anything to stop her. In fact, he seemed to be on his guard against Lindsey and her grandmother.Lindsey's grandmother was a skinny, petite woman. She held Lindsey while sobbing—it was a heartbreaking sight."What are you doing here, Summer?" Harold's expression softened a little."I'm here to return Lindsey's notes." Summer approached Lindsey and returned the notebook. "I'm done reading this. It was very helpful,
"You're such a fan of slapping others, aren't you? How do you think it feels? Do you like it?" Summer shook her hand, which hurt a little because she'd slapped Carol too hard."You—how dare you! I'm your elder!" Carol shrieked.Summer snorted contemptuously. "You're the one who taught me this, aren't you? Those from the upper crust can go around bullying anyone they want. Based on your logic, can your status compare to mine? How dare you call yourself my elder?"Silence descended upon the office. Summer continued, "Lindsey is my friend, so you're picking on me if you pick on her. This matter could've been easily resolved. You should've set aside your ridiculous arrogance and given the victim of your children's bullying a proper apology."Then, you should've offered some monetary compensation, and this matter would've been over. Yet you had to choose the worst way to deal with this. Since you can't resolve the issue, I'll do it for you." She dragged a chair over and sat down."
"What?" Carol exploded at that. "You want my daughter to drop out of school? Do you know that my husband is a member of the school board?""So?" Summer looked at her. "Does that have anything to do with the two choices I've given you?"Carol choked. The fact that her husband was on the school board could've scared anyone else into submission, but it evidently had no effect on Summer.Everyone else in the office gave Summer odd looks. Hadn't she always been a pushover? She could barely speak without stuttering in the past. Why was she a completely different person that day? And why was she siding with a peasant instead of helping the upper crust? How low could she go?"We need to get back to class, old lady. Have you made your choice?" Summer was evidently running out of patience when she didn't get an answer after a long time."Do you know how much six million dollars means to people like them, Ms. Hartford?" Sheila finally spoke. "That's too much. How about we each give 500—""W
Carol and Sheila exchanged a look. They both saw the terror deep within their gazes."I'm not making things up—you two will know what the truth is once you head home and ask your daughters. I would also advise you to find out whether Annie and Becca were recorded when bullying Summer!" Harold said grimly.Carol and Sheila became even more ashen at his words. If Annie and Becca had also been recorded when bullying Summer… Only God knew whether the footage had been leaked with the video of them bullying Lindsey!"I sent my daughter to this school because I expected you and your teachers to give her a proper education! Look at what you've made her end up doing, you worthless thing!" Carol pointed at Harold and snapped at him out of humiliation and anger. Then, she hurried off.…Lindsey used sign language to explain what had happened to Mary. The latter's eyes were red from crying, and she held Summer's hand while bowing profusely in gratitude."Thank you, Summer," Lindsey said, s
"Summer!" Carol called.Summer turned to look at her. She jogged over with a broad smile, the swelling of her left cheek still evident underneath her thick makeup.Summer suddenly felt like her palm was stinging from the sight. Perhaps she'd used a bit too much force…She asked calmly, "Yes?""I have a few things to tell you. Here. Come with me." Carol glanced at Robin, who was watching her vigilantly. She'd heard about him from her husband and knew he was a terrifying man who had blood on his hands.Summer followed her obediently. Carol smiled at her while grabbing Annie and dragging her to Summer. "Get over here!"Annie looked incredibly reluctant."Summer, I've just found out about the conflict that happened between you and Annie in the past. Though it's normal for there to be some horsing around between classmates, she's definitely taken things too far. It's all Becca's fault. If not for her fanning the flames, Annie wouldn't have treated you like that!" Carol said."Hors
The call ended there.Saul glanced at the never-ending stream of traffic before he raised a hand and hailed a taxi.On the way, he felt a little unsettled. After some thought, he decided to call Summer.At that moment, Summer was scolding Mason for eating something he shouldn't. "I told you you can't eat these things! What kind of tyrant CEO has a mouth as greedy as yours?"Mason merely sat there obediently and let her lecture him. In truth, he wasn't actually craving those snacks. But Summer wasn't paying him any attention, so…When Summer saw Saul's call, she grabbed all the snacks from the small table and locked them up in her room before she answered it."What is it?" she asked.Saul felt a little comforted when he heard Summer's voice. "It's about your team. You're very capable, and you plan on expanding the company. The team I put together for you isn't bad, but they might not be enough in the long run."Summer nodded. "I've thought about that as well, but I don't have an
To Terrence, Saul was like a thick iron wall that would never let anyone enter. He had a face that was the envy of all and was surrounded by women since he was young. Yet, he hadn't even dated anyone even in his 20s.For a long time, Terrence had even suspected that Saul liked men.Saul looked at Terrence. "That's right. I want to spend my life with her. Terrence, the girl I like is absolutely one of a kind in this world."Terrence shrugged and said nothing.Saul left shortly after that.Terrence stretched and thought to himself that genes weren't always reliable.For instance, Saul's father was a complete playboy who made headlines every other day for his affairs back then. The man even seduced his own sister-in-law and his sister-in-law's younger sister.Yet, when it came to Saul, he was a hopeless romantic.As Terrence thought about it, his phone rang. It was the person he asked to help him look for Summer.Terrence answered and said, "If there's still no news, then there's
Who wouldn't want to ruffle that fluffy hair?"What are you looking at? You're allowed to mess up my hair, but I'm not?" Summer playfully raised a fist at him before getting up and mumbling as she headed next door.Mason sat at the dining table, gently touching the spot where Summer had just patted him. He couldn't hide the smile on his lips.There was no way he wouldn't allow it. In fact, he wanted nothing more than for her to do it more."Wait for me!" Mason quickly got up. He grabbed the milk that Summer hadn't finished and hurried after her.When Summer opened her computer, Saul was already waiting for her online."The internal test results are all within our estimations. The response to the promotional campaign has been great as well. I think that the final results will exceed your expectations," Saul said.Summer looked at the data that Sault sent over and was a bit surprised. She definitely didn't expect such a good response. "Saul, you definitely live up to your reputa
After a moment of hesitation, Summer decided to call Kristen.Kristen hadn't slept well the whole night. When she saw Summer's call, she hesitated for a moment before she picked up."Mom," Summer greeted.Kristen sighed. "Are you calling to ask about Rose?"Summer felt a bit helpless. "So, she really did go to you. I knew no one else would help her.""Summer, I know how much she's hurt you. I guarantee that this is the last time," Kristen said.Summer replied, "I understand. You shouldn't think too much about it. Her mother helped you a lot in the past. I understand it.""I already sent her away. She just boarded the plane. She said she won't be coming back," Kristen said."Let's hope so." Summer didn't really trust Rose's words.If only Rose was willing to live peacefully and stay with Anthony without causing trouble. Then, she could have lived a comfortable life thanks to the Hartford family."Summer…" Kristen seemed to have something she wanted to ask, but she stopped."W
"Janice, I've never been on the same side as Rose. She was kicked out of the Hartford family a long time ago, and I'm not some saint who would help someone trying to harm me. You're barking up the wrong tree," Summer replied coldly.Janice was clenching her teeth. "Summer! Don't be too pleased with yourself. I know you had a hand in this, too. I won't let Rose off, and I definitely won't let you off, either."Summer lowered her gaze and chuckled.Janice got even angrier when she heard that. "What are you laughing at?""Janice, you like Chandler, right?" Summer asked.Jancie did not respond."With things as they are, how do you still not realize what's important? If you don't shift your focus back to your family, your parents will probably have your marriage with Anthony finalized in the next few days," Summer said slowly.Janice froze in place.She had been fully focused on Rose the last few days. With her mind fully occupied by revenge, she didn't have the time to think about
Kristen looked at Rose coldly. "For two days, Janice used all of Power Construction's resources and still couldn't find you. Summer is not that capable.""Summer isn't that capable? Do you know who hacked into her birthday party and swapped my video on the screen? It was Summer! She's a very good hacker!" Rose said through gritted teeth."That's enough! I have no time for your nonsense. So what if my daughter is a hacker? If you just called me over for this, then speak no more. Even if Summer is a monster, she's still my daughter. She's my precious girl!" Kristen said impatiently.Rose had always thought that Kristen didn't like Summer. Even now, she was still trying to drive a wedge between the two of them.The moment Kristen said that Summer was her precious girl, Rose felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her head.She lowered her gaze and let out a bitter laugh. "Aunt Kristen, I always thought that I was your precious girl.""Weren't you? Didn't I treat you we
Summer furrowed her brows. "Just try and harass my mom and see what happens."Rose gritted her teeth and said, "If you don't help me, then that's my only choice. My mom died indirectly because of her. She owes me for that. It's only natural that she should help me."Summer's expression grew colder.She thought of Rose's cruelty. She thought of those who died because of Rose in her past life. She thought of that gardener who had died not long ago.Even if Summer had crawled her way out of hell, killing someone still wasn't something she could do. But she could still use someone else to do it."Let me think about it." Summer lowered her gaze."I don't have that much time to wait!" Rose was frantic."I'll let you know by today," Summer answered."Good! I'll wait until nightfall. If you still haven't arranged anything by then, I'll go to Aunt Kristen!" Rose hung up after that.Summer glanced at the number on the screen and licked her teeth.After that, she quickly managed to trac
Summer picked up the watering can beside her and watered a potted plant in front of her. "Rose, you've changed so many numbers just to call me and curse at me. Are you really that free?""What grudge do you have against me? Why are you doing all of this to me?" Rose asked through gritted teeth.Summer didn't know what to say to that. Shouldn't she be the one asking Rose that?"I don't understand what you're saying. Aren't you just reaping what you sow? Nothing would have happened to you if you weren't scheming things in the first place," Summer said with a cold laugh."Janice is convinced that I worked with you to set her up now! She's sworn she'll make sure I die horribly!" Rose's voice seemed like it was about to break."Wasn't that just your and Anthony's plan? What does it have to do with me?" Summer didn't know if Rose was recording this or not, so she was careful not to expose anything.She continued, "I've looked at the trending topics lately. The two of you planned things
Mason was inside the shower, while Summer stood outside.The sound of rushing water could be heard.No matter how Summer stood, she felt incredibly awkward. Looking at Mason's figure through the frosted glass, his movements seemed slow and strained.Summer felt her heart ache. Couldn't he just endure a little longer? Why did he insist on a shower?After what felt like ages, Mason finally finished his shower.When he walked out wrapped in his towel, Summer's eyes widened for a moment before she turned her head away. "Let me make you something to eat. Come out after you put on your clothes."After that, Summer bolted out of the room.Mason chuckled to himself as she escaped. Yet, the movement tugged at his wound and caused him to hiss.In reality, he could have acted even more helpless. But he was worried he would annoy her if he pushed too much. He didn't want Summer to see him as too much of a burden, either. It was better to take things one step at a time.Meanwhile, Summer o