Seizing the moment when Ned was stunned, Carlyle let out a chuckle on the spot. His cold gaze swept across Ned’s face as he started speaking loudly and clearly so that everyone in the venue could hear him. “Everyone, if anything were to happen to your child, you would’ve made the decision to lodge a police report immediately under normal circumstances. However, Ned, not only did you not plan to report to the police, but you also kept demanding compensation of twenty million dollars from me. I can’t help but suspect your true intentions.”Everyone’s gazes fell on Ned once again. After all, it was true that his actions were quite illogical.Ned had already come up with answers to Carlyle’s questions, so he didn’t hesitate to retort, “Don’t worry, I won’t skip those procedures. Once you’re done coughing up the money, I’ll go with the necessary procedures. I won’t let someone like you get your way, after all! You shouldn’t be allowed to roam outside without facing the consequences!”Car
Ned and a male stranger’s silhouettes appeared in the video. Despite the blurry quality, the voice and the body type were more than enough to let everyone recognize that it was Ned.“Mr. Whitmore, things are now proceeding smoothly, just like you planned. What is your next course of action?”“I’ve already fabricated some evidence that can accuse Jefferson of that crime. When the time comes, we’ll leak it to the public so that he can’t ever make a comeback in his career.”“Mr. Whitmore, isn’t that immoral of us to do?”“That’s enough. Let’s not continue talking about it. Mr. Ferguson, don’t forget what I told you back then. The moment you’re involved in this chain of events, there’s no turning back. Besides, once you’re done with this, you can extort twenty million dollars from Carlyle. Need I remind you how important that sum of money is to you?”“You’re right, Mr. Whitmore. I understand. I’ll definitely do as you say.”The conversation between Ned and Mike drifted out of the spe
All the reporters weren’t fools. For a moment, various expressions started appearing on their faces. They couldn’t help but stare at Carlyle before turning to stare at Ned with shock in their eyes.The audio evidence was like a bomb that blew everyone’s minds out of the water. Finally, the truth was revealed.When Ned heard the conversation, his face turned deathly pale. He was so shocked that he could only remain rooted on the spot, unable to regain his senses at all.Having observed everyone’s expressions, Carlyle continued speaking hoarsely. “Ned’s wife has already admitted that he slandered me just for money. The reason why I remained silent the whole time was to protect the little girl’s reputation. To think that a young child like her ended up getting used by her own father for his personal gains. What a cruel and brutal man.”Having reached this point of his speech, Carlyle couldn’t help but sigh. “Now that all the proof is here, I’m sure that you have witnessed the truth wi
All the people online didn’t expect to see the revelation of the actual truth of Carlyle’s incident. Then, they began to defend him online. Meanwhile, Carlyle’s fans burst into tears before they started discussing the incident in the comment section.@Carlyleismybae: “It’s impossible for my idol to be that sort of person! Even if he is, he’s only allowed to do that to me!”@plsrestwellcarlyle: “I hope that everyone won’t become mindless sheep. Please don’t spread rumors without evidence backing your claims up. Let’s work hard to reduce the toxicity of the Internet! (Wow, I’m so good at making things up. Alright, that’s enough from me. I’m going to go worship Carlyle even more.)”@livelaughlove: “As a passerby, let me start out by saying that my heart hurts for Carlyle. It’s difficult enough, being a celebrity and all, but now a rumor about sexual assault came out of nowhere and added another obstacle to his rocky career path! This time, I’m standing with Carlyle.”@eggies: “I used
The night crept upon the world silently. Stars were dotted across the dark sky that night, forming bright and radiant clusters. Just the sight of the beautiful night made everyone feel relaxed and comfortable.Carlyle’s incident came to an end on such a beautiful night.After watching the finale, Claire couldn’t help but feel happy for her friend. She hugged Raina, who sat next to her, while gushing, “Look, Raina! Everything has finally come to an end! Didn’t I tell you that Carlyle is definitely innocent?”Raina was staring at a certain spot with a blank look on her face. Apparently, she didn’t know how to react to the news.Upon noticing Raina’s dumbfounded look, Claire knew right away that she was so elated that she had gone into a trance. So, she waved her hand in front of Raina’s eyes a few times to get her attention. When Raina didn’t react, Claire laughed softly before commenting, “Don’t just sit there, Raina. Isn’t it great that this incident has finally come to an end?”R
Javier was slightly stunned when he heard Ollie’s answer. Typically speaking, Patty and the two other servants were the ones in charge of meal preparation. It was rare to see Claire being the one in charge.He walked to the kitchen, still puzzled. There, he was able to spot Claire’s busy silhouette, and he unconsciously glued his gaze to her.Meanwhile, Ollie ran to Claire’s side and tugged on her sleeve. “Mommy, Dad’s home.”Claire paused, clearly stunned for a moment. She didn’t know what to say at that time.Honestly speaking, she didn’t know how to face Javier due to her current appearance. Clearly, she must have looked overly casual.Claire could only force out a smile before asking Javier in confusion, “Why are you here?”Typically speaking, Javier would never come to places such as the kitchen.Javier shot Ollie a helpless glance. “He brought me here.”Claire placed a hand on her forehead, knowing very well that Ollie was up to no good again.Meanwhile, Ollie secretly s
“You…! You…!”Claire stared at Javier, not knowing what to say because Javier looked so elegant while focusing on his game.Perhaps he was the only one who could look this good while playing a mobile game.One wouldn’t feel strange upon witnessing Javier playing a mobile game. Instead, they might think that he looked even more elegant when he was frowning while holding his phone.The burst of anger that rose within Claire after having her pride wounded dissipated on the spot when she took in Javier’s handsome face.She could only let out a deep sigh. Even her son was starting to ignore her. There was nothing she could do to convince Javier to play with her.Feeling quite annoyed, Claire could only sit at the side with her laptop. The sight of the father and son pair playing together made her feel rather warm on the inside.If the incident that happened five years ago didn’t occur, Claire wouldn’t be blessed with Ollie. What would her life be like by then?Perhaps Ollie’s presen
Javier happened to raise his head. He made eye contact with Claire.When Claire realized she got caught red-handed for secretly peeking at Javier, she quickly averted her gaze in embarrassment and pretended that nothing happened.However, her flushed cheeks didn’t escape Javier’s attention.Claire got up immediately and set her laptop aside. Then, she ran up the stairs as if she was fleeing from Javier.When Javier noticed her flustered appearance, the hint of a smile grew stronger in his eyes. His cold presence decreased by a huge margin as well.Even Ollie could feel that Javier was in a good mood.That boosted his courage and prompted him to lean against Javier’s form while whining coquettishly, “Dad, I’m still bad at this game. Can you sleep with me tonight? I’d like you to teach me how to play this game.”When Ollie was done speaking, he stared up at Javier with sad puppy-dog eyes. Despite maintaining a normal facade, the little boy was actually very anxious.He might be y
Hattie looked extremely sincere in her pleading. However, when Sofia did not answer or even look at her, she began to lose confidence. Sofia's face was impassive. "Hattie, I've known you since you were a baby, but I can't help you with this. Please leave." She did not want to discuss the other stuff with her yet.However, Hattie was obstinate. She looked at her with tears in her eyes. "Aunt Sofia, please, please help me. I know it's not much trouble for you, but it can save our entire family. You've always been so kind to me. I promise that the Snyder family will repay you for your kindness!"Hearing this, Sofia felt uncomfortable. She raised her head and gazed at her coldly. "In this case, Hattie, I'll tell you why I won't help you," she said impatiently. "Do you really not know what you've done? I won't say it, but I know exactly what you've done to Ollie. You deserve everything that's happening to you now."Hattie widened her eyes, partly in shock and partly in disbelief when she h
Javier paused outside the door and waited until Claire left before giving his subordinates a look. They understood perfectly and grabbed Chantelle at once.As Javier had ordered, they were to send this woman abroad as far away as possible and leave her to fend for herself.Outside the hotel, Claire looked up at the sky blankly. She felt like a huge burden had been taken off her shoulders; for the first time in a long time, she felt relieved of all the hurt that she had suffered five years ago. Turning back, she told Javier, "Thank you, Javier, for allowing me to face my fears. I feel so relieved now."Javier's expression fell when he heard her thank him. He tapped her on the nose fondly in exasperation. "What are you talking about? Of course, I won't let those who hurt you get off so easily. They have to pay for what they have done."Claire was touched to see him so protective of her. A surge of warmness spread in her chest as she gazed at him fondly. "I'm lucky to have you, Javier."T
That was all Armand could think of.In just a few minutes, Chantelle admitted to everything she had done to Claire over the past few years.From drugging Claire out of jealousy and getting a stranger to assault her to getting Liam to banish her abroad, she admitted to everything. Claire knew some of them, but not all; only now did she know the extent of her crimes.When she was finished, everyone in the room sported conflicting expressions. Liam looked especially hurt and remorseful. It turned out that his younger daughter had always been evil, and he had wrongfully blamed Claire for all these years.Armand, on the other hand, didn't know how to feel about all this. He glanced at Claire and Javier. He felt that he really didn't deserve Claire, after all he had done. He had thought Chantelle to be kind and naive and had trusted her blindly to the point that he almost married her.Thank goodness the wedding didn't happen. Even so, he had lost Claire thanks to this. It made him regret eve
If Chantelle told Claire the truth about what happened that night, then there would be nothing stopping her from having a happily-ever-after with Javier.Back then, driven by jealousy, she had drugged Claire and put her in Javier's bed without their consent. She had planned all of this out herself meticulously. She had gotten Armand to catch Claire in the act so that he would call off the engagement and be with her instead. Liam banished Claire abroad to fend for herself. However, if she had known that the random stranger she had arranged to assault Claire was Javier, she never would've done it.Even so, it was a perfect plan worthy of a blockbuster film. Claire and Javier never found out the truth, nor did they know that Ollie was actually Javier's son.It took them two years of skirting around each other only to find out that they were meant to be in the first place. Now that the truth was out, Claire would not settle for prison as a punishment for the cause of all her suffering. Sh
After a lot of persuasion, Claire and Sofia finally managed to get Ollie to agree to stay in the hospital for another three days.Of course, three days weren't enough. Sofia and Pedro tried everything they could to convince Ollie to stay in the hospital for as long as possible.However, Ollie was smart enough to see through their ruse. He felt guilty when he saw them trying to cajole him into staying, so one day, after another attempt, he spoke up hesitantly, "Grandma, Grandpa, I'm glad that you're trying to keep me happy, and I'm touched that you're concerned about me, but I've been in the hospital for too long and it's making me sad. I promise that I'll listen to the doctor even when I'm at home, okay?" Under his bright, clear gaze, Sofia's protests died in her throat, leaving only exasperation and wordless sorrow.Ollie was too mature for his age. How could they not love him?Therefore, Ollie got his wish and was discharged three days later. In order to take care of Ollie, Sofia an
Hearing this, Javier narrowed his eyes. He felt like he was on the verge of grasping something, but the feeling passed too quickly for him to register it. Softening his tone, he said, "There's no need to be scared, Ollie. We're all right here with you. We'll protect you no matter what happens. Can you tell me what you remembered?"Ollie might have regained his memories from before he'd been drugged.Buoyed by the encouragement, Ollie thought hard for a moment and said with a frown, "I … I remember a lady beating me. She locked me up and didn't let me eat anything while saying bad things about me and Mommy all the time. I wanted to fight back, but I was too weak. After I tried to run, she caught me and beat me up some more and forced me to eat food off the floor." Toward the end of this, Ollie burst into tears.Claire's heart hurt for him. She wanted to hug him, but Javier got there first."Tell me, Ollie, do you know her name?" Javier's voice was thick with tears as well. "Do you remem
With that, Henry threw a glance at the rest of the employees and hurried them out. He also dragged Raina and Thomas out with him, leaving only Claire and Javier's parents to keep him company.Since it was only a small procedure for Javier, he did not get a lot of anesthesia. He tried to wriggle his body a little. Realizing what he was doing, Claire quickly helped him sit up.Javier did not look like he had just come out of surgery. Thanks to his strong physique, he looked fine.Seeing this, Sofia finally eased up a little on her worries. "How are you feeling, Javier?"Javier shook his head. "I'm fine, Mom. I just need some rest. How about Ollie? Did they say when he'll wake up?" He already knew that the surgery was a success, so he wanted to know when he would be able to see Ollie."Randy said that Ollie will be out for some time, but he's fine," Claire replied. Javier nodded. He, too, finally eased up on the tight knot of worry that was weighing his chest.Once he was sure that Javie
The surgery took three hours.As time went by, Claire got more and more anxious. However, there was nothing she could do but wait.In the end, Sofia was the first to crack. She went up to Claire and said anxiously, "Claire, are you sure that Dr. Xenos is good? It's been three hours, why aren't they out yet? I have a bad feeling about this."Claire wasn't exactly relaxed either, but she didn't show it. She gathered her thoughts and comforted Sofia. "Everything will be fine, Mrs. Marquez. Randy is a well-known surgeon, I'm sure he knows what he's doing. Don't worry." She wanted to reach out to comfort her, but in the end, she just sat there with an awkward expression. This was probably how their relationship would be in the foreseeable future—awkward and distant.Pedro watched their interaction with an air of knowingness. "Stop crying, Sofia," he said. "They're fine, you don't have to cry about them. Claire's still pregnant, don't upset her."Sofia was about to get angry about his admoni
At that, Javier narrowed his eyes dangerously.The Weiss family wasn't in a stable condition right now, so it wouldn't be hard for him to take revenge on Claire's behalf. Now that he knew the truth of what had happened, he had to find a way to punish the perpetrators.The news that Ollie was Javier's biological son quickly spread, especially after Sofia held a party in celebration. In fact, it made headlines the day before Ollie's scheduled surgery.Javier wasn't surprised about it. He had been looking for an opportunity to announce it to the public so that there wouldn't be unsightly rumors that would affect Claire. Claire, on the other hand, felt a little uncomfortable about the announcement. After all, she had always been a private person; she didn't want anyone to disturb her peaceful life.After a while, though, she got used to it.The most important contributor to this was that it benefited Ollie. From now on, he wasn't a fatherless child anymore. He could tell anyone who would l