Cecilia smirked coldly. "Since I'm here, I intend to take what's mine before leaving."As she took a step forward, the man beside Zachary immediately blocked her path."Sorry, but as per Mr. Turner's orders, aside from the master of this house, no outsiders are allowed. If anyone tries to sneak in, we have enough armed men here to accidentally fire a shot. It'd be unfortunate if someone got hurt, and we don't want that."Cecilia could not miss the threat in his words and could only respond with a forced smile. She cursed inwardly, 'Zach, you actually had Fred guarding the Southern Haven Villas! Very well! We shall see how long Fred can protect it. Once I find Madelyn, I'll bring her corpse to you.'As Cecilia was leaving, her eyes caught a glimpse of a child held by a servant at the third-floor window. Her eyes suddenly widened in shock. 'That child... No... It can't be. It must be my imagination. That child is supposed to be dead. Surely, it's just my imagination.'Cecilia felt a
Under the unpredictable wrath of Cecilia, Susan hurriedly fled the office. Shortly afterward, Cecilia received an anonymous call.The caller said, "We did as you asked and found an underground organization. Why didn't you mention they were associated with the Jent family? Now we've offended them, which means we've offended Mr. Jardin of the Jardin Corporation. If he seeks retribution, we have no way out. You're pushing us into a pit of fire!"Cecilia was indifferent to their plight. "Where are the items I asked for? Why haven't you found them yet?""The items you want? We've turned the place upside down and found nothing. We're going to lay low for a while. You should find someone else for your tasks," the caller said before hurriedly ending the call."A bunch of useless fools," Cecilia muttered, scattering the documents on her desk in frustration. Her face twisted in malevolence. "Zach, you brought in Fred's people to protect Madelyn and that adopted child. Don't think this will s
"No, let's wait until tomorrow. I've studied the security system here. Without the specific key, the alarm will be triggered, drawing the police. That won't be good for us," said one of the suspicious men.Blake heard their conversation and the fading footsteps as they disappeared at the end of the corridor. Only after they were completely gone did she let her guard down. Closing her eyes, she felt as if all her strength had been sapped away. She slid down the wall, feeling like a survivor in the aftermath of a crisis.That night, with a dagger in hand, she remained half-dozed, half-awake. The heating was off, so she wrapped herself tightly in a black down jacket to ward off the cold. The barking of stray dogs awoke her the next morning. It was only seven o'clock. Recalling the previous night's events, Blake immediately called the police.After the police arrived promptly, Blake showed them the surveillance footage on Kevin's computer. The two officers tried to identify the suspects
Cecilia thought to herself, 'I may not be able to confront Fred directly, but I dare you, Blake, to stay in Southern Haven Villas indefinitely.'When Blake stepped out of the police car at Southern Haven Villas, she was initially barred from entering. However, a middle-aged woman called out from behind, "Let her in, young man. I know her. She's a good person." It was Margaret, holding Dalton.Zachary compared the photos and, after receiving information from a guard, permitted Blake to enter.As Blake entered, she noticed someone hiding in the bushes with a camera. She shouted, "There's someone in the bushes taking pictures! Catch him!"The discovered photographer attempted to flee, but Zachary fired a warning shot, declaring, "Run again, and the next bullet won't miss."The loud bang startled the birds in the forest and caused the photographer, now terrified, to wet himself and fall to the ground. Blake hurried over and checked his camera, finding it full of pictures of Dalton.F
Blake was stunned as she watched Dalton in overalls playing with toys on the floor near the couch. She had not paid much attention to him during the wedding, but now, observing closely, her eyes widened in shock."Is Dalton really the one Mr. Jardin adopted from the doorstep of an orphanage? Not a child he had with another woman? Or did Madelyn forget that she had a child?" Blake asked.Margaret, taken aback by her questions, clarified, "Oh, no, no, you can't just say things like that! Mr. Jardin's assistant can verify that Dalton was indeed adopted. He was brought home so Ms. Jent wouldn't feel lonely and had someone to accompany her. Dalton does resemble Mr. Jardin and Ms. Jent, but it could just be a coincidence. There are many unexplainable occurrences in the world."Blake asked, "May I hold him?"As soon as she spoke, Dalton seemed to understand and toddled over to Blake, extending his arms. His adorable behavior melted her heart. Observing him closely, she could not help but
Blake spent several peaceful days at Southern Haven Villas, and before she realized it, the five-day holiday had swiftly passed. Despite sending numerous messages to Kevin, she received no response. She even informed him of her intention to conduct a paternity test on Dalton, but still, there was silence from his end.Accustomed to this lack of communication, Blake set her phone down after sending today's message. Unbeknownst to her, her phone was being monitored, and all her texts were intercepted by Cecilia.At Jardin Corporation, Cecilia looked at the computer screen displaying Blake's messages and smirked. "You're really devoted to him, aren't you, Blake? What's so special about Kevin that keeps you so fixated?"Cecilia was curious about the depth of Kevin's feelings for Blake. After allowing Blake a few days of freedom, she decided it was time for Blake to face some challenges.Using Kevin's phone number, Cecilia sent an address to Blake without any further explanation, then s
Dazed and bleeding, Blake noticed Cecilia in a slit dress sitting elegantly on a couch with a glass of red wine in her hand, as if she had been anticipating this moment.Cecilia put down her foot and leaned over with a grace that concealed her malicious intent. She lifted Blake's chin with her red-nailed finger, as Blake struggled to maintain consciousness, her mind reeling."Poor thing, bleeding already? Let me help disinfect that wound," Cecilia said in a sinister tone, her eyes turning cold as she poured the red wine over Blake's bleeding forehead. The stinging pain caused Blake to struggle."Still trying to struggle? Hold her down!" Cecilia commanded.Two burly men stepped forward, pinning Blake's legs down with their feet. In agony, Blake screamed, "Ms. Samford, what are you doing? I haven't wronged you. Why are you doing this?"Cecilia's eyes sparkled with sadistic pleasure. "Blake, are you really that naive, or just pretending? You chose to oppose me instead of following my
After the brutal torture, Blake lay on the ground, barely clinging to life, her eyes closed in exhaustion. She coughed up blood and eventually lost consciousness.As time passed, Cecilia grew impatient after not receiving the response she expected. Standing up, she stepped on Blake's chest and began taking pictures of the injured Blake on the ground.An overweight man commented, "This woman's tough. She didn't beg for mercy even once. But if she dies, we'll be in some legal trouble, ma'am.""Don't worry, she's not dead yet," Cecilia reassured him.At that moment, a skinny man received an urgent message. "We've got a traitor among us. Our location's been leaked to the police, and they're on their way."With the police closing in, the criminals, who were already on the wanted list, began to panic."You guys take her with you," Cecilia ordered, still hoping Kevin wouldn't abandon Blake.In a cold, damp basement, Blake lay unconscious, tasting a bitter flavor in her mouth as she dri
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