Madelyn sensed there was something unusual about the man's relationship with her mother. Convinced Kai knew more, she quickly took the photo and left. She closed the secret chamber and hid the picture inside a book, planning to retrieve it the next day.As she opened the door, she saw Zach with wet hair, clearly having just showered. Seeing her without Dalton, he asked, "Where's Dal?""Dal?" Madelyn responded, her surprise evident. 'I'm sure I left him on the couch. Where is he?'Out of nowhere, a tiny head appeared from under the desk. Dalton giggled, babbled, and drooled. As he crawled on the soft carpet, Madelyn's voice was tinged with both urgency and frustration. "Didn't I just give you a bath? Look at the mess you've made."Carefully using her left hand, she lifted him, trying not to strain her still-recovering right hand. Zach had been taking good care of her injury, often using a cold compress to soothe the pain. When it came to personalities and tastes, they were like op
The butler knocked on Frida's door. "Ma'am, it's urgent. You need to see this."Frida followed the butler outside. As she laid eyes on the person in the casket, a storm of anger welled up inside her. "Zach Jardin, you bastard! How could you?"The casket holding Evelyn went without refrigeration, letting out an unbearable stench within hours. Nearby, Marta, dressed in black, had a pronounced wound on her forehead. It was difficult to discern if she was dead or alive.Frida spoke with resolve, "See if she's breathing."The butler hesitated just for a second before leaning in to check Marta's breath. Registering the reality, he muttered in disbelief, "She's gone. Ma'am, they're both gone."Noticing the blood near the casket, Frida deduced there had been some kind of impact. "Get in touch with the funeral home. Make sure they deal with this discreetly. Let them know it's at the request of the CEO of Jardin Corporation.""Right away, Ma'am."As she stood there, Frida thought, 'Zach i
After lunch, Kevin came over with some paperwork to sign, and they headed to the study to discuss the business. Not long after, Zach thought it would be a great opportunity to teach Madelyn to drive.He was all in on the driving lesson. He had transformed a storage space in their home into a garage filled with luxury cars. A standout was the custom pink Bentley, distinctly different from the others."Zach, I can't practice driving today," Madelyn explained. "I've got a new order at the studio I need to finish. How about we reschedule?""Can you spare two hours?" Zach asked, not ready to give up.Once they got into the car, he gestured for her to take the driver's seat. With a hesitant grip on the steering wheel, Madelyn asked, "Shouldn't I start with the basics? I've never driven before.""Don't worry, the basics will be a breeze for you." Zach assured her. "Let's get straight to hands-on practice."In the car, Zach explained the essential features, and Madelyn caught on immediat
Madelyn avoided Zach's dark gaze and left swiftly.Zach, clearly annoyed, came inside, tossing the car keys on the entryway table. He sank into the couch and lit a cigarette before calling the car service for repairs.Margaret, seeing Madelyn's hasty exit, hurried upstairs to avoid a potentially irate Zach. On her phone, Madelyn opened an email with client requests. In her studio, she began preparations, sure she could finish within the week. Dalton was in his crib, quietly using his pacifier and observing Madelyn, whom she would occasionally soothe."Ms. Jent, you should be careful with that hand. It's not healed, and you might overdo it.""I know, but everything in this place is his. I need to pull my weight." Just then, her nose started to bleed, dropping onto her shirt."Madelyn, are you okay?" Margaret asked, handing her some tissues. Madelyn ran into the bathroom and locked the door behind her. When Zach walked in, his gaze immediately fell on the drop of blood on the ti
After cleaning the blood from Madelyn's face, Kai took off his mask and gave a menacing smile. "You don't deserve to know who he is."Madelyn took a deep breath, feeling her head throb intensely. Not long after, she started coughing harshly, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Kai watched, maintaining his composure. Once he felt sure she was ready, he gave her two pills. He waited for her to regain some strength before moving her to a regular room.As Kai stepped out of the operating room, Zach grabbed him, asking, "What happened to her?"With a playful glint in his eyes and a casual tone, Kai smirked at Zach. "Hospital rules: Only direct family or spouses get info about a patient's condition. So... which role are you playing?" Adding a mocking tone, Kai said, "Oh, I almost forgot. You and she are siblings."Zach's voice turned icy. "Enough with the games."Even as Zach tightened his grip, Kai did not flinch. "Your feelings for Madelyn are growing, aren't they? Falling h
Madelyn felt a pain in her chest and tried to speak. 'Didn't they say Father would be back in a few days? Why's he returning early? Kai probably kept my sickness a secret.' As she attempted to sit up, weakness consumed her.Margaret's constant chatting made Madelyn think of how Mya always talked a lot."The doctor says your nosebleeds might be from the dry air or perhaps allergies," Margaret said. "But it's not a big deal. Don't worry. When you're feeling better and your father's back, Mr. Jardin won't trouble you."Madelyn replied, her voice scratchy, "Okay."She had been in the hospital for two weeks. To show her the Jent family's troubles, Kai switched her usual medication with stronger drugs. He ensured she took every pill, making her occasionally forget his true intentions. Zach never left her side. During her hospital stay, Jasmine tried to visit, but Zach's security stopped her at the entrance. From inside her room, Madelyn overheard the commotion, and amidst the voices, she
"What about you, sir?" Madelyn asked.The middle-aged man replied, "I've got heart problems. There's a surgery coming up, and honestly, I'm not sure about the outcome."Madelyn hesitated, then whispered, "You'll be fine." She wondered if she was saying it for his comfort or her own.The man looked up from the newspaper, folding it and placing it on his lap as he crossed his legs. His amber eyes met hers, and a warm smile spread across his face. "Thanks for the kind words. I gotta head out." He cast a wary glance at a group of tough-looking people coming their way. "Mind if we hug real quick?"Madelyn hesitated."It's strange, I know," he said, "but you remind me of my wife who passed away. I miss her. Let's call it a bit of solace before my operation."He spoke so gently that Madelyn nodded. "Okay." They hugged briefly, and he dashed off, forgetting his newspaper. As Madelyn reached for it, a shadow loomed above her."Enjoying the breeze?" Zach asked, slipping his black blazer o
Hayson sat there with an oxygen mask on his face, having recently suffered a stroke. His facial features appeared normal, his hand was frozen in a peculiar position, and he was unable to speak. He could not even eat on his own, and all he could do was sit in a wheelchair.His little daughter, just three and a half years old, looked strikingly like Jasmine and sat shyly behind her.Even though four years had passed, Jasmine looked ageless, radiating an even more mature and captivating presence. She was dressed in a dark blue gown decorated with white pear blossom petals, her lips were a soft pink, and her once long hair was now styled in short, loose curls. She also wore a pair of pearl earrings.Margaret, usually a chatterbox, was notably silent that day.Jasmine remained as arrogant and prideful as she always had. She said while holding her little daughter's hand, "Madelyn, it's been years since we last met, and you've only grown more beautiful. This is my daughter, by the way—Sam
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