When Fred entered the house, his military boots made a loud sound that reverberated around the living room. The moonlight outside made his shadow look even longer.Fred was just about to climb the stairs when he heard some noises upstairs. He stopped, like he was expecting someone to come down. After a few moments, Mya showed up. Her eyes were only half open, and they looked kinda blurry. She had a bunny plushie in her hand.She slowly went downstairs. When she got to the bottom, she sort of went past Fred without noticing him. Right then, Fred could tell that Mya didn't see him. She went straight out the door while the wind was blowing really strong.Fred walked after her, being really patient. They walked until they got to a little shed. Mya went inside and plopped down suddenly. Fred looked around the shed. It seemed like it hadn't been cleaned in forever. Dust was all over the place, and it smelled pretty gross.Fred stared at her and said, "Get up."Mya answered, "I will beha
The note read: [I took her. Fred Turner]'Fred Turner? I don't know him in person. How did Mya even get to know this demon?' Simon thought. He suddenly started breathing fast. Grace took his heart medicine from his pocket and gave it to him to help him calm down.Ventropolis Prison seemed like an ancient castle, enclosed by sturdy concrete walls. Apart from soldiers pacing with guns, there were many risky traps, and electric fences covered the walls.When Mya woke up, she saw the purple ceiling and noticed a strange smell. Mya sat up, holding onto her head. She asked, "Where am I? Where are my parents?""Good morning, Ms. Harper," someone greeted her. Mya heard it and looked over to see a girl about her age. She was dressed in a maid's outfit and kneeled beside the bed."Ah! Who are you? Why are you here?" Mya cried in fear, clutching the bunny plushie. She shivered while sitting at the edge of the bed, seeing a stranger.The maid replied, "Don't be scared, Ms. Harper. It was Mr.
Mya's hair was all messy from running around. She clutched the bunny plushie's ears in her hand, and her cute face looked really scared. She rushed up to Fred while he just stood there. Grabbing onto his belt, she hid behind him. Fred was surprised and tried to stretch out his arm, but Mya peeked out from under it, holding onto his clothes tight."Fred," Mya said, "bad guys caught me, and they wanted to bully me just now."The officers behind Fred looked tense. When Mya called Fred by his name, they frowned in dissatisfaction, all staring at her. If Mya was a normal person, she might have been scared, but she wasn't. Not only did she look fearless, but she also seemed clueless about it all."Tell me, who bullied you?" Fred asked while looking at her. His question made the faces of the servants in the hall turn pale.The servants hurried over and knelt down beside them. One of them explained, "Mr. Turner, Ms. Harper came downstairs looking all messy and without her shoes. We did all
"Yeah, sure!" Mya said happily. The servants who were taken away were now replaced. The new ones were even prettier and sexier than the previous ones. All dressed in maid uniforms, they strolled around with their hips swaying. They also prepared a tasty lunch for Fred and Mya.Mya slipped on the shoes the servants brought without realizing the potentially risky situation she was entering. She strolled over to the dining table without much thought and happily dug into her lunch.These servants were top-notch, handpicked from Sin City. Their monthly pay was almost as much as a family earned in a whole year. Beyond their household duties, these servants also had to meet their master's more personal needs. It was a part of their job to keep their master company through the night, as every man tended to feel lonely then.Not every servant got the chance to work here. They had to go through a tough selection process, considering things like looks, physique, and even cooking skills.One s
In the shadowy study, adorned with European-style furnishings, a bronze statue of Jesus with an integrated cross design took pride of place on a dark desk. Seated across from it, Riley Tillman, Fred's deputy, clutched a photograph. "Sir, tracking this guy down might be really tough—there's no cell service out in that area. But it's like this guy is onto us. We lost all our leads by the time our team got there—he'd vanished."Fred reclined in an armchair, playing with a small, ornate dagger. The blade gleamed sharply, complemented by the large, shining blue sapphire on its hilt. He asked, "What was his last known address?""Wrupant Village," Riley replied promptly. "Our guys showed up and he had vanished.""Tell them to round up a bigger team. I want him found, whether he's breathing or not.""Got it," Riley replied.A moment later, Fred's expression changed as a knowing grin took over. "On second thought, cancel that. I'm going myself. Get my car ready."Madelyn was jolted awake
Margaret, busy in the room with Dalton, noticed the sound of someone at the door. She knocked softly on the closet door. "Ms. Jent, Mrs. Jardin is back," she announced quietly.Madelyn, alerted by Margaret's gentle warning, quickly got up, tucked her cellphone into the box, and hid it back in its secret spot. Zach, overhearing the faint murmur of voices, gently opened the door and stepped inside. He scanned the room carefully but did not immediately see Madelyn.Margaret feigned surprise and said, "Oh! Ms. Jent is right in the walk-in closet, trying to pick out some clothes. She mentioned wanting to mix up her wardrobe with something new and lively."Zach did not question Margaret's made-up story. He valued her support for Madelyn and did not think it was right to scold her. As he opened the closet door, he saw Madelyn stepping out, holding onto some old pajamas. However, it wasn't the pajamas that grabbed Zach's notice; it was Madelyn's eyes, red and swollen from crying. Concerned,
On the dressing table, Madelyn's makeup was accompanied by an array of sparkling jewelry. Necklaces and earrings lay in perfect order — just the way Madelyn liked it. These pieces were not just pretty; they were expensive. Even the tiniest diamond earrings could have gotten you a big, fancy house in Ventropolis. Every item had a special code and Madelyn's name on it. If someone had tried to snatch one, any shop expert could have told it was hers in a heartbeat. No thief would dare lay a finger on them.In the study, Zach was deep into a transnational video conference, pouring over the details of overseas medical investment projects. He had also set up a foundation to back the medical researchers. The risk of the funds evaporating without a trace did not faze him; to Zach, the investment was completely justified.There was a photograph on Zach's desk: Madelyn in her Ventrocloud High School uniform. Her smile was wide, capturing the spirit of her first day at high school--a memory Zach
Kevin exited the elevator, and Blake was right on his heels, her arms laden with documents. Blake, serving as an intern in the secretarial department under Cecilia, had never before been involved in such a critical situation at the company. Since Cecilia had been absent from the office for an extended period, Blake was now answering directly to Kevin.Ever since Blake started working for Kevin, she had not enjoyed a single day of rest; it had been a grueling three months. The only thing keeping her going was the prospect of a hefty bonus come year-end; without that, she would have already left. Lately, she caught herself longing for the less hectic times.The bursts from the cameras were blinding, making it a challenge for Blake to keep her eyes open. Standing meekly behind Kevin, she observed him, noting with a mix of respect and envy how he managed to handle the reporters' relentless questions with such ease.One reporter asked, "With Zach Jardin now among the global top five rich
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