Zach smiled faintly, making the aura around him even colder.In Randall's earlier years, he had made his fortune through mining. Later, he acquired an oil field, after which his wealth skyrocketed. After he migrated to Ventropolis, he had been living off his wealth, but this fortune that he made was more than enough to last him for several lifetimes. Even if he spent his money recklessly, he would not go broke.Zach said, "Words alone aren't enough!"Randall seemed to have grasped a glimmer of hope. He crawled to Zach's feet. He was unable to stand upright, "I can give you the land deed or a property transfer document. As long as you get me out of here, I promise you'll never run out of money.""That does sound enticing..." Zach put down the pen. He gave Randall a condescending look, "Well, I'm not greedy. I want seventy percent shares of the oil field, and... All of your liquid assets and real estate."Randall's pupils widened suddenly. He scolded Zach, "Zach Jardin! I've been to
The next morning, somewhere in a newspaper stated: [Randall Burton reportedly ingested caustic soda in the prison in an attempt to escape legal consequences. However, he consumed too much of the caustic soda, which led to his unexpected death.]In the bustling streets, commuters rushed to catch the train with the same newspapers in their hands. However, no one paid too much attention to the inconspicuous news.Today was Friday, Madelyn woke up relatively late and had not gone out.A servant grabbed the morning newspaper from the mailbox and put it on the tea table in accordance with Ethan's habit. Madelyn, who was dressed in her school uniform, poured a glass of orange juice in the kitchen before walking out. She happened to see the newspaper and picked it up to glance at it.The servant said, "Mr. Arnold."Ethan was buttoning his sleeves as he walked downstairs in an upright posture. He was as handsome as ever, "If you don't want to go to school, you don't have to. I can hire the
Mya, who had repeatedly called Madelyn's name, ran over to her. She was holding a basket of strawberries and smiling brightly. She ran so quickly that the wind ruffled her hair. Madelyn slowed down to wait for Mya. Mya reached Madelyn's side and said, "Why are you so late today? I've been waiting for you for so long. Quick. try these strawberries. My family grew these!"As Madelyn opened her mouth to speak, a strawberry was shoved into her mouth. She bit off half of it and said, "Thank you. It's delicious."Mya tirelessly talked by Madelyn's ear. For the past few days, Mya had been bothering Madelyn a lot. Apart from attending classes, she would go looking for Madelyn immediately after classes. Madelyn wondered if Mya had nothing else to do.Madelyn just continued walking and rarely responded to what Mya said. She did not want Mya to get too close to her, since she believed that things would not end well for anyone who got too close to her. She remembered that Zach had once used Mya
In the Azure Corporation, Kevin walked into the CEO's office. He then saw Zach was talking on the phone. So, he quietly stood at the side.Zach gave out a chilling aura. His eyes were deep and filled with coldness. Kevin could hear Jadie's crying voice on the phone. She was panicked and fearful. Zach just coldly said, "You don't need to know what you shouldn't ask."Jadie said, "Zach, you've changed. You're becoming more and more frightening."The phone call then ended with a beep sound.Zach put his phone away before turning around, "What's the matter?"Kevin reported, "The Arnold family has started investigating. Should we do something?"Zach walked to his desk and sat down. He leaned back in his chair with his fingers interlocked on his lap. He lowered his head and thought deeply, "Don't worry about it."Kevin responded, "If Ethan really finds out something, you could be in danger."Zach smiled slightly. His gaze was intriguing as he replied, "I'm afraid he won't find out an
Madelyn responded, "Actually, leaving might be a good thing for him. I can't meddle in their issues. Forrest has done so much for me, and I'm going to repay it all slowly. As a friend, I genuinely hope he can start fresh and have a better life in his new place."She added, "From Ethan's point of view, in our current relationship, I shouldn't have any contact with all of you. I shouldn't even bring up anything about Forrest. Ethan made an exception because of me, and I don't want to let him down."I'm very sorry about Forrest leaving. But I believe you all will meet again someday."He'll find happiness."People saw things differently. Some thought Ethan had driven Forrest away without mercy. But Ethan needed family and loved ones around, too. It's all about how you look at it.George once told Madelyn that she was Ethan's only family now.When Forrest and Sylvia were sent abroad, Owen angrily went to the Arnold residence and slapped Ethan. The next day, Owen went overseas with the
Adrian said to Madelyn, "What you saw between Forrest and Kayla that day, nothing actually happened. He just had a high fever and took a cold shower. You happened to stumble upon it and got the wrong idea."Timothy chimed in, "Exactly. After you kicked him out in the middle of the night, he called us. We even took him to the hospital in the early hours."Madelyn hadn't known about this, but she remained surprisingly calm upon hearing the explanation.Kayla clenched her fists and vented her frustration, "Yes! It's true that we didn't have sex. But so what? As long as he doesn't break up with me, we're still a couple."Then, addressing Madelyn, she said, "Madelyn Jent, don't be too smug. Your time with Ethan won't last." After saying this, she stormed off in a huff.Adrian was a little surprised when he saw Madelyn being so calm, "You don't seem to be angry at all!"Madelyn looked at him in the eyes, "Why should I be angry?"Adrian smiled faintly and did not answer.After everyon
Madelyn and Ethan stared out of the car window at the passing scenery. Neither of them spoke.They soon reached the Arnold residence. When the car stopped, Ethan hurriedly got out before Madelyn. He was acting strangely distant, unlike before.Madelyn did not know what was wrong with him. She then got out of the car and walked toward the entrance.As soon as they entered the house, a servant approached, "Mr. Arnold, Ms. Jent, the food's ready."Ethan did not even spare the servant a glance and just went straight upstairs. He seemed really upset, but nobody knew why.The servant took Madelyn's school bag and asked, "Ms. Jent, what's wrong with Mr. Arnold?"Madelyn shook her head, "Serve the meal on a tray. I'll take it upstairs to him later."The servant responded, "Okay."Madelyn carried the meal and went to the study. She knocked on the door. But she did not get a response. So, she just entered the room anyway. The vintage study room was filled with a thick tobacco smell. Etha
The servant picked up the untouched food and hurriedly left. At the doorway, she spotted Madelyn approaching."Miss Jent."Madelyn glanced at her and asked, "He still hasn't eaten?"The servant nodded with concern, saying, "You should go check on him."Madelyn glanced at the closed study door. "Please prepare some food again," she instructed."Alright."With a medicine box in hand, Madelyn stood in the hallway. She raised her hand to knock on the door but hesitated. The soft, warm glow from the overhead lamp cast a gentle light on her youthful face, her expression inscrutable. Without further ado, she pushed open the door and walked in. An overwhelming smell of tobacco hit her, and she noticed shattered teacups on the floor. Madelyn wasn't sure where to step amidst the broken porcelain. Carefully making her way forward, she took a seat beside him and smiled. Ethan felt the space beside him sink before he could react. He didn't even get a chance to look when she pinched off his
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