After Susan exited Kevin's office, she tossed a file onto Blake's desk with a hint of sarcasm. "Since you're so free, here's something you might find interesting."Blake, pretending to be busy, replied, "Sorry, I'm a bit tied up right now. Can't take on this project. If you can't handle it, find someone else."Susan retorted, "You're the least busy person here. Besides, aren't you close with Mrs. Jardin? Mr. Harrison asked me to assign you the task of arranging the upcoming wedding décor. If you really don't want to, then forget it."The mention of arranging the wedding décor for Madelyn and Zach piqued Blake's interest."Hmm, a tough task, but fine, I'll take it," said Blake.Susan smirked subtly and left.Blake was surprised to be involved in Madelyn's wedding. She checked the file and saw the venue was Eternal Seasons. "My goodness, renting the entire place must cost a fortune!"She chuckled and took the file to a quiet balcony and dialed a familiar number.At Southern Haven
Madelyn thought, 'If the wedding doesn't proceed smoothly, Zach won't spare Blake. For him, dealing with her would be like crushing an ant.'"As long as she does her job well, I won't let her efforts go unrewarded," Zach said with a mix of gentleness and a threatening undertone.Then, he changed the subject. "Come downstairs and try the pasta I've cooked.""No, I'm not in the mood," Madelyn replied.She thought, 'Zach, no one can tell what the future holds.'Recently, Zach had started doing unusual things, like cooking meals for Madelyn, including different kinds of pasta. They tasted decent enough, even quite good."Think you can leave? You believe you can escape from me?" Zach said playfully. He suddenly pulled Madelyn toward him, lifting her off her feet and carrying her downstairs.At the dining table, the servants presented different pastas in front of Madelyn.Madelyn sat awkwardly on Zach's lap and struggled slightly. "Let me down."Zach held Madelyn tightly by the wais
Madelyn picked up her phone and realized it was already 7:30 p.m. Just then, a maid's voice echoed in the hallway. "Sir, are you heading out?"Madelyn was distracted by the maid's words and opened the door to see Zach impeccably dressed in a black suit, preparing to leave.'It's unusual for him to go out at this time. Something must have come up.' Madelyn thought to herself.Curious, Madelyn asked, "Where are you rushing off to this late?"Zach turned to Madelyn and replied, "Just some business matters. I'll be back soon."Madelyn watched Zach descend the stairs without revealing her emotions.She felt a sudden unease minutes after hearing the car drive away. She recalled overhearing the phone call from Frida earlier in the afternoon.'Is Zach going to meet her?' Madelyn wondered.Madelyn rushed downstairs and intended to tail Zach. She wanted to find out what Zach was up to.The maid stopped Madelyn, "Madam, it's late, and Mr. Jardin said that you shouldn't go out."Madelyn
Kai teased, "You're calling me this late? Did you and Zach have another fight?"Madelyn was not in the mood for jokes. She replied, "Zach got a call from the Young family this afternoon and now he's gone out again. He never leaves on rainy days like this. I'm worried he's up to no good. I need you to track him and see what he's up to."Kai glanced at Lana in the ward and said, "Do you know where he went? Even if I go, I can't stop him. You know that."Madelyn asserted, "I can stop him!"She knew that she was Zach's weakness. If Zach was truly up to something, she could intervene.Zach had always been lawless, but he could not escape eventual consequences. Madelyn did not want to see him fall and drag others down with him.Madelyn continued, "Every time he goes out at these hours, it's never for anything good. Last time, I smelled something on him that I recognized from my father's banquets. It's the same scent I've smelled on people after they've used a certain type of illegal dr
Any news about Zach and Madelyn's upcoming marriage, even a simple hand-holding moment between them, amplified Yvonne's resentment.The plastic surgeon performing Yvonne's surgery reassured her, "Ms. Young, don't worry. Fixing the scars on your face is a minor procedure for a professional like me. If you follow up with the treatment properly, there's a good 50-60% chance of restoring your original appearance."Yvonne was not able to speak due to the anesthesia, she closed her eyes in resignation. Her disfigured face, if it could be even partially restored, was all she hoped for now. She was desperate to regain her former appearance and live a normal life with Zach.'Madelyn, you took everything from me. I'll take it all back one day.' Yvonne thought.Meanwhile, a servant rushed upstairs with news of an approaching car, "Madam, the same group of people from last time are here, including your son-in-law, Mr. Jardin."Frida, overwhelmed with rage, slapped the servant, "Silence! He's
"Even so, there was no justification for hurting Yvonne. Zach, you broke her heart and nearly took her life. Now you want to kill her? You've wronged the Young family, and even more so, the Arnold family." Frida tightened her grip on the trigger. "If you dare move any closer, I won't go easy on you."Zach retorted, "If it weren't for Madelyn, the Young family would have been ruined by now. And you dare negotiate with me? Do you really think you're worthy of doing so?"Just then, a commotion erupted upstairs."Ah! Who are you people?""What are you doing?"In less than half a minute, everyone upstairs was driven down, including a maid holding a basin full of blood, who slipped and fell down the stairs as the blood spilled down along with her."Help, help! These people suddenly burst in through the window, saying they were taking Ms. Young away," said the maid.Frida's eyes, fierce and determined, fixed on Zach. She threatened, "If you dare lay a finger on my daughter, I'll kill y
"After the surgery, I'll be fine. I'll be like I was before," said Yvonne.Her sparse hair was singed by fire, her hands, her neck, and even the skin visible to the naked eye bore burn marks.Zach had no interest in Yvonne's physical appearance. He asked, "So, Ethan didn't survive the crash that day?"'The day of the plane crash...' Yvonne, lost in thought, seemed to remember something. Zach noticed the change in her tone."When the plane was hijacked, Ethan gave me the only parachute. The plane crashed into the sea before I could escape. I don't know what happened to him after that."Zach was adept at reading people's true intentions. He could tell whether Yvonne was lying, and it was clear to him she was. However, he did not expose her lie.Yvonne watched as Zach's shadow faded. She hesitantly looked up, only to find that he had already gone down the stairs.The bodyguard approached Zach and asked, "Sir, what do we do with them?"Zach gave a look and the bodyguard nodded in u
"Zach, what on earth can I even say to you?"Yvonne was brought downstairs with only her eyes showing beneath her headscarf. She felt really scared when she saw the maids and her mom tied up like her. As the door opened, letting in a breeze, the sharp smell of gasoline filled the air.Zach, in his anger, seemed determined to burn them all alive.Frida begged, "Please, don't hurt Yvonne."Tears started streaming down Yvonne's cheeks, especially when she realized that Zach wanted to kill her again. She remembered the terrifying fire incident that had nearly scarred her for life, and now, she was scared out of her mind.Kai quickly looked over when he heard the name 'Yvonne' and saw someone in a wheelchair. He was not sure if it was her, but that did not matter. What mattered was saving everyone in the room.Kai could not believe how far Zach would go for Maddie. They were talking about the lives of over a dozen people. If they all died because of this, Zach could never make it righ
Liam was standing in the rain, and though it hadn't been long, he was thoroughly drenched.Blake quickly pulled him close, her voice laced with concern. "Are you crazy? It's pouring rain! What if you catch a cold?"Liam's look was subdued, his face showing signs of fatigue. "I'm okay. This is for you; I didn't want you to have to come out in this weather."As Blake took in his forlorn appearance, her heart softened suddenly. 'Am I losing my mind?' she thought."Now you'll have to pay more attention to me, Blake... I was just so scared of losing you. I've put everything I have into getting you to agree to marry me; the idea of you walking away is unbearable."Overwhelmed with emotion, Blake locked eyes with him. "Did she teach you to say that too?" she asked, her hand moving on its own to brush away the raindrops from his hair.A maid nearby, observing the scene, rushed over with a blanket and an umbrella. However, Grace, fully grasping the gravity of the moment, halted her. Ackno
Cecilia said, "It's fine. Let's give them a week. Rearrange the flight and all the plans for the trip. This is Blake's first time getting married and going abroad for honeymoon. I want to make sure she has a good time."Susan nodded. "Okay, Ms. Samford."Not long after Cecilia left, three editors who used to work for Olivia's company entered her office. All of them spoke in panic, "Ms. Blue, what should we do? Ms. Samford already knows everything. If the legal department finds out about it, will we go to jail?"Olivia remained calm as she said, "Don't panic. Just focus on your work.""But we got into this company through you. What if they say we got into this company through the back door and then fired us?"Olivia sat at her desk, supporting her forehead with her hands. She was obviously panicking. "Don't worry, I'll handle this."You guys can leave now."Olivia did not expect this matter to be exposed so soon. She wondered how Cecilia found out about it. 'Could it be that she'
StartReading Literary was the last place Cecilia wanted to be. But she made an exception this time.Olivia had just finalized a cooperative copyright deal with another website company. Several editors from her own company were there at StartReading Literary. As she entered the office, she saw all the editors from StartReading Literary sitting upright, not daring to make a sound.She also saw her office door was wide open. She frowned as she walked into her office and was surprised to see an unexpected gust.Olivia put down the documents in her hand. "Ms. Samford, what brings you here?"With her legs crossed and Susan standing behind her, Cecilia stared at Olivia, who was in front of her.Cecilia sneered and stood up. She ran her fingers along the desk. "StartReading is actually the last place I want to be. I came here because I found out that you enjoy meddling in other people's affairs. Otherwise, you wouldn't even qualify to see me."Olivia instantly looked wary. She remained s
Liam stood up. He watched as Blake, who looked weary, walked away. "Blake, what do you want me to do so you'll like me?"Blake did not stop walking. Instead, she took even bigger steps and left.She went to the Harper residence, which surprised everyone.Grace asked, "Blake? Why did you come back here? Where's Liam? Why didn't he come back with you?"Blake stuttered, unable to find the words. She just made up an excuse, saying, "It's nothing. I just wanted to come back."After Hannah and Yael left the wedding last night, they went back to the research institute.As for Simon, he went to the farm to manage the business.After Blake went to her room, Grace became worried. She followed her and saw her sitting with a blank expression in the room, not knowing what to do.When Blake saw Grace, she quickly adjusted her mood. "Grace, why are you here?""I came to check on you. Blake, what's wrong? Did you have a fight with Liam? You just had your wedding yesterday, and you're already
The pregnancy test report came out fifteen minutes after Blake did the test. She was indeed pregnant. She was even seven weeks pregnant.Blake had indeed been involved with Kevin while in Northern Myanmar over a month ago.She held the medical report while standing bewildered in the cold hospital corridor. Lights shone through the floor-to-ceiling window onto her body, but all Blake felt was the cold, which made her hands and feet numb.She was lost in her thoughts. 'I'm really pregnant. What should I do with this baby? I want it to be born more than anyone else. But now, everything has changed. This child shouldn't come into this world.'She wandered in the corridor. Suddenly, she saw someone coming out of another gynecological room.She thought, 'Some things are just destined by fate. When I long to see him, even catching a glimpse of him in a dream feels like a luxury, an unattainable wish. But now, when I don't want to see him, it seems he appears everywhere I go.'Kevin supp
Blake wondered, 'I'm now pregnant with Kevin's child. What should I do?'She woke up groggily when she felt someone carry her. She opened her heavy eyelids and asked, "What time is it now?"Liam responded, "It's four-thirty in the morning. It's still early; go back to sleep for a while more."Blake said in a hoarse voice, "I've made an appointment for an abortion at eight o'clock. Regardless of whether I'm really pregnant or not, I don't want to keep this child."She had thought about it all night and believed this was the best decision.Kevin was going to get engaged. Blake believed he would get married and Audrey would give birth to his children. There was simply no need for her to complicate things further.She thought, 'If I choose to be selfish and decide to keep this baby, and if people find out about it, my child will be treated as an illegitimate child. I don't even dare to imagine how badly the child will be treated.'If giving birth to the baby will bring it a lifetime
Blake continued, "What about you, Liam? Do you mind?"If you do, you can choose to divorce me. After all, I've wronged you. No one wants to marry a woman who's carrying someone else's child."Liam stepped forward on the shattered cup and hugged her tightly. "I don't mind. Blake, I love you, including everything about you. I don't mind your past. I just want to start over with you. I didn't tell you about the pregnancy because I was selfish; I wanted to keep you by my side."Blake, your child is my child. I want to raise the baby with you."Don't leave me, okay?"Blake did not know why, but she was not surprised by her pregnancy. However, she felt that there were still some things that she could not let go of, though she was unsure what those were.She was not as calm as she had imagined.She thought about her past events. Then, she indifferently said, "Liam, I don't want this child. Since I'm prepared to be with you, I won't keep this child. It wouldn't be fair to you."Liam di
On this romantic night, the moon was obscured by the clouds.Breathing heavily, Blake felt some pain in her abdomen. She asked to stop. "Liam, my stomach hurts. I think I'm going to have my period soon."Liam sobered up instantly. "I'll go get you some medicine."She peeked out from under the blanket as the bedside lamp turned on. She could clearly see Liam's naked upper body. Her face flushed as she averted her gaze. "It's fine. Just help me call the front desk and ask them to bring up a pack of sanitary pads. I'll go to the bathroom to deal with it."Liam replied, "Let's go to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up."Blake picked up her clothes from the floor and went to the bathroom. "It's okay. It's probably just my period."However, judging by the blood flowing out, it did not seem like menstrual blood to Blake. It looked like something else.Blake's voice came from the bathroom again. "I think we should go to the hospital."She sat on the toilet and watched the tall, slende
Blake had no bridesmaids, so she returned to the hotel room alone. As she stepped out of the elevator and was ready to use the room key card in her hand to swipe and enter the room, she suddenly saw a figure appear from the corner of her eye.She stopped her action and looked at the person who had left the wedding earlier.At that moment, Blake felt her breath catch, but it was only fleeting. She then quickly regained her composure and averted her gaze. She asked, "Didn't you leave? Why are you still here?"Kevin replied, "Congratulations."Upon hearing his congratulations, Blake felt a mix of amusement and discomfort. "There's nothing to congratulate. If anything, I should congratulate you. You're soon to be the mayor's son-in-law. In the future, we won't belong in the same social class anymore."I'm tired and came back to rest. You should leave now before Liam comes up and sees you here."Don't look for me again. I don't want him to misunderstand."Kevin responded, "Audrey and