If Susanne had said that on the first day they had met, Summer would've believed her. However, after everything that had happened, she couldn't believe Susanne anymore. Summer replied warily, "Can I turn down your request? I don't feel well today, and I don't want to go out.""Summer, are you not going to forgive me?""What do you think?" Summer's face turned grim. Everything was just for show. After what had happened, it would be difficult for her to forgive Susanne. She sensed danger and prepared to leave, but Susanne pulled her back roughly. Although Susanne looked slim and delicate, her grip was so strong that it made red marks on Summer's skin. Summer yelled, "What do you want?""I want you to accompany me tonight." There was determination in Susanne's eyes. It looked like she would do something bad if Summer rejected her request.Summer was afraid that Susanne would try to murder her again. Hence, she ended up agreeing to spend time with her. She also wanted to see
"My dear Summer, don't you know that I'm crazy? Why would I listen to reason?"Summer was so terrified by Susanne's threat that she kept her guard up."What do you want?" Summer asked warily. "Summer, if you follow me to a place, I won't hurt you. However, only two of us can go there. We must escape the bodyguards first."Summer wasn't stupid. If she listened to Susanne and left the bodyguards, wouldn't that give Susanne a chance to do whatever she wanted? If Susanne led her to a secluded place, killed her, and buried her body, she would disappear without a trace. She regretted her decision. If she had known what Susanne had been planning on doing, she wouldn't have gone out with her. Summer had dug her own grave. She didn't know what to do. The best thing she could do was escape quickly. As long as she ran to the bodyguards, Susanne wouldn't try to kill her. With that thought in mind, Summer immediately made a run for it. There were many people in the beautiful city. Su
Susanne was a wolf hiding in a sheep's skin. She was feigning ignorance, so Summer couldn't do anything to her. Since that was the case, Summer didn't continue questioning her. She didn't want to kick up a fuss. Instead, she made up an excuse about feeling unwell and said that she didn't want to shop any longer. …Two hours later, Summer sat on the bed. She was in the master bedroom on the second floor at the Quigley residence. Meanwhile, Lexi was massaging her shoulders. "Mrs. Quigley, don't be mad." "Lexi, did you notice that something was off? Susanne tricked me intentionally.""Of course. I believe in you, Mrs. Quigley." Although Lexi didn't know about Susanne's illness, she had done more research on Susanne and found that the latter was a little strange.She had also noticed that Summer had been avoiding Susanne for the past few days. It seemed that the two women were on bad terms. Lexi believed that Summer had been tricked. After all, Summer was kind and had never do
She also couldn't tell Caroline that Susanne was schizophrenic and wanted to harm her on purpose. Even if there was substantial evidence to prove that, Summer had already promised James she wouldn't tell anyone about it. Hence, she could only lower her head in silence. Caroline asked, "What's wrong? Aren't you usually sharp-tongued? It's not like I'm not giving you a chance to explain yourself first. I want to hear what you have to say.""I have nothing to say." Summer lowered her head. "Do you admit to framing Susanne?""Yes.""Why did you do that?"Summer wanted to curse at the unfairness of it all. Why would she frame Susanne? The latter had nothing to do, so she'd set her up!However, she couldn't say that to Caroline. Things had escalated to this point, and nothing she did could resolve the situation. So, she resorted to keeping quiet. Caroline said sternly, "Since you're remaining silent, I'll take it that you had personal grievances. Yet, we must punish you accor
Herbert kept his high and mighty act up as he said, "Are you apologizing? Forget it. You're James' wife, after all. You don't have to beg for mercy with me. I didn't say I wouldn't forgive you.""So, you've forgiven me? That's great," Summer said in glee.But Herbert demanded, "Well, I can forgive you. But it won't be enough if I'm the only one who forgives you. You need to get Susanne to forgive you too."Herbert wanted Summer to apologize to Susanne. In what way was this reasonable? Susanne had tried to kill her and made threats, but she was the one who had to apologize.Summer really wanted to frown at him and leave on the spot. But if she did that, she would probably be kicked out of the Quigley family.Caroline already thought that Summer was bullying Susanne. If she didn't comply with Herbert's demands, he would take action against her before the Quigleys could punish her.Summer bit the bullet and went to apologize to Susanne. At this point, she seemed like a lowly worke
James cut to the chase. He stared at her as he questioned, "I know what happened tonight. Why did you do it?""James, what are you talking about?"Susanne played dumb. If she was exposed for messing with Summer, she might give James a bad impression. What she didn't realize was that James already had a foul impression of her.James inched closer to Susanne as he spoke sternly, "Are you still going to lie? I warned you not to mess with Summer, but you threatened to kill her tonight. I'm very disappointed in you.""James—""Why did you do it? Summer has never treated you badly, nor did she ever hurt you." James was furious as rage burned in his dark eyes. This was the first time Susanne had seen him like this.She stepped back and explained, "You've misunderstood. I didn't do anything—""Are you still making excuses?"James was giving her immense pressure, and the air around him felt heavy, as though it were weighing her down. Susanne was frightened. James no longer seemed li
James asked, "What is it? Tell me.""If I tell you, will you promise me?" She had asked that as if she had been scared that James wouldn't agree. Her little eyes had gleamed in anticipation.James hadn't known what she wanted to say, but he had nodded and agreed anyway. "Tell me. I'll promise you anything.""Great! Well, I'm going to say it." Susanne had taken a deep breath and held his hand. She said solemnly, "You must marry me when we become adults. You can't break your promise.""Okay, I'll marry you. I won't break my promise."Since they had been kids, they had thought of marrying each other as they were good playmates. It was an innocent, pure promise. But because of that promise, Susanne had thought of James as her dream husband all these years.But all good things came to an end. After the promise on the balcony, James had accompanied Susanne to the door downstairs. Herbert had already been waiting there.Susanne had kept looking back at James reluctantly, with affec
Susanne closed her eyes and grew calm after her realization. "James, I understand now. I'm a family member to you, and so are you to me. I won't have any other thoughts from now on.""That's good, Susanne."James was glad. At least Susanne was no longer obsessed with him or thought that her feelings were romantic love. But his positive feelings didn't continue for long.The next second, Susanne said, "James, since we're cousins, I think I have the responsibility to help you find an excellent wife. Summer doesn't fit that standard."James' eyes darted toward her, feeling speechless. Susanne's feelings toward him had changed, but she hadn't accepted Summer.He wanted to say something, but Susanne stood up excitedly. She declared, "Summer's not qualified to join the Quigley family."I know Dad and Aunt Caroline have certain opinions of her, and I have to say that I agree with them. Summer's status and credentials—nothing about her is a match for you, James. If you are to marry, it s