With a cold and severe tone, Irene told Samantha, "You don't get to decide who the Spencer estate goes to. Also, I'll investigate my father's death, and I'll destroy you if you are guilty.""And I'll destroy you if you take a cent from my son's inheritance!" Samantha retorted."Mother…" Ricky was still trying to dissuade Samantha.Lionel had just died, and they were already fighting right in front of his body. How could he rest in peace at all?"I'm telling you, Ricky—don't listen to your father! I'm your only family, and that woman has nothing to do with you!" Samantha bellowed furiously, because it really upset her that her own son kept siding with Irene.She was convinced that Ricky's attitude was all Lionel's fault, that he had given his son all the wrong ideas!After all, how could there be a bond between step-siblings?Moreover, her personal grudge against Irene meant she could not allow him to be family with Irene, and the conflict over the inheritance would only drive th
The air was chilly in the morning.Irene folded her arms, thinking to herself that she should have told Sheryl sooner—she could have seen Lionel one last time, then. Lionel's death was not really peaceful, perhaps because he regretted not being able to see Sheryl one last time."What's on your mind?" Irene heard the voice just as she felt a cardigan being draped over shoulders, and she turned to find Isaac standing there. His facial features suddenly seemed indistinct and he appeared more languid than usual, though he was much more affable now. Turning away, she said, "I just called my mom… I should have told her sooner. I'm the reason why she never got to see my father one last time…""It's not your fault. They are their own people, and they can decide for themselves." People who are in love would never live apart—separation itself is their own choice, and not something others can decide for them. They were both adults and could think for themselves independently, which w
It was Ricky!"Ricky!" Samantha ran to him in terror, fearful of the worse. Ricky was already unconscious when she lifted the shelf off him, and she slapped his cheeks, crying, "Get up, Ricky! Please, you're scaring me… Don't do this to me…"Samanthat's tears were genuine this time—Ricky was her only son, and everything she did was for him. She had pinned all her hopes on him! She could not live without him!"Why are you so stupid?! Why would you save her?! She's trying to take everything from you!"On the other hand, Irene was bleeding from her knee, but she whipped out her phone to call an ambulance even before taking a look at her own injury.When she limped over to check on Ricky, however, Samantha seemed to be convinced that she was out to hurt Ricky, and pushed her away. "Don't touch my son!"Irene stumbled, but coolly said, "Let me tend to him if you want him to be safe—I'm a doctor, I won't hurt him."Samantha, however, was cradling Ricky's head and crying hysteric
Irene was convinced that she had failed as a mother. She could not stay with her son in the days immediately following his birth, let alone give her son a complete family."Your father…" Sheryl began just then.That was when Irene looked up at her mother, and saw the terrible look on her face. She must have been crying."Sorry, Mom," she said apologetically. "I should have told you sooner so that you can see Dad one last time."Shery did not blame her—Irene had mentioned Lionel's condition before, but she paid no heed.Breathing a long sigh, she said, "I'm unhappy and feel much grief against him, but he's gone now, and it all ends with him. That's why I'm here—I should be there to send him off as his wife."Then, handing Tommy's belongings to Irene, she said, "Tommy is still very young. Take him—I'll go back to Spencer Mansion."Irene was worried. "I should go with you—""No. Tommy is just a baby—he should not spend too much time with the dead. I'm fine on my own." Sheryl s
Mrs. Watson then noticed the tiny child in Irene's arms, and hurried toward her, asking, "Where's this baby from?"Before Irene could answer, she asked, "Is he yours, Ms. Adams?"Lulu glanced at Irene and smiled tenderly. "I wish—I'm not that lucky."That naturally puzzled Mrs. Watson. "Then, whose is he?""Mine," Irene replied. Mrs. Watson gaped. "Mrs. Jefferson… W-What did you just say?"Suddenly coming up with an idea, she asked, "Could he be Mr. Jefferson's?"Irene shook her head. "No.""What?!" Mrs. Watson became flustered. "If he isn't… then who's the father? Did you have a child with another man?""Yes," Irene replied, having no intention of denying it."Irene." A deep, slightly angry growl could be heard behind her just then.Irene turned to find Henry leaning against his crutch at the doorway. He was glowering, and must have overheard her conversation with Mrs. Watson. "Come with me," he growled, and headed to Isaac's study.Moneypenny was with him, and he level
Suddenly, Irene felt as if something was stuck in her chest, suffocating her."You're not insisting on staying, are you?" Henry growled, seeing the look on her face. "Are you really making a bastard called Isaac daddy? Would he accept that? Do you think I would?"Irene suddenly realized that she had missed out something important—Isaac was the heir to his family's inestimable wealth!The greater the dynasty, the more selective they were about bloodlines.Even if Isaac insisted that he did not mind and was willing to raise Tommy as his own, would Henry allow Tommy in the family, when the blood of the Jeffersons did not flow in his veins?It was maybe acceptable for the average family, but not for a dynasty, especially with a throne and money at stake. Irene realized that she had been delusional. Having focused on herself and Isaac, she had ignored innumerable external elements, along with the environment where Tommy would be raised, or if she would hurt him spiritually. She was
"I've fed him and coaxed him to sleep," Lulu replied. Right now, she was worried that Henry had made things difficult for Irene, especially after she saw the horrific look on his face as he left.Irene shook her head. "We have to go.""Go? Go where?" Lulu asked.Irene certainly had no idea… All she knew was that she must leave with Tommy, and she needed Lulu's help again."Are you really fine?" Lulu could see that she looked terrible."I think I've made more than a few mistakes…" Irene murmured darkly. Henry's visit made her aware of a great many things, and the worst of all was that she had allowed her sentiment to take control of her!She was so deluded she believed she could stay with Isaac, when Tommy was the impassable rift between them—the Jeffersons would never allow a child who was not of their blood!For her part, she will not allow her son to suffer, and he most certainly would if she left him with the Jeffersons!"Mistakes? What are you talking about?" Lulu asked
"Who do I think I am? I should be asking you that—Lionel never divorced me." Sheryl spoke calmly and quietly, but it was enough to leave Samantha speechless!The fact that Samantha was not legally married to Lionel would always be her Achilles' heel.Sheryl telling her that also hurt her even more than when Irene had told her that. Coupled with Ricky's injury, her frustrations piled and she flew into a rage.However, just as she raised her hand, ready to slap Sheryl across the face, Irene strode up and caught her hand. "My dad just died. Don't act like a fishwife at his funeral."Samantha's eyes were bulging when she turned and saw Irene. "Well done! Neither of you were here to visit or care for Lionel when he's sick, but you're here to get a cut of his inheritance as soon as he dies?! I'm telling you, everything in this house belongs to Ricky!"Murderous intent showed in her eyes. "And you dared to hurt him! I'll destroy you!""Just stop already!" Irene snapped and shoved her as