It sounded like something shattering, so Irene opened the door again and called out, "Ricky?"No one answered.She started to head inside, but Isaac caught her. "Stop," he said, walking ahead of her. "I'll look inside. Wait for me here."Things appeared rather dark and creepy inside, and he was worried about potential danger.Irene nodded and he headed inside, where he found Ricky behind a couch. The whole house stank of alcohol and there were many empty bottles of alcohol on the floor.Ricky had drank so much that he smelled as if he was just scooped out of a vat of alcohol.While Isaac frowned, Irene walked toward him. "Is Ricky there?""Yeah," he replied.The curtains were drawn, and there were just a few rays of sunshine spilling in.There was no telling how long Ricky had stayed within the darkness, and he was holding his hand over his eyes, seemingly uncomfortable with the light."Ricky?" Irene called out as she walked over to him.Ricky narrowed his eyes, though h
There was no telling how long it had been since Ricky visited a hairdresser—his hair was long and unkempt like a bird's nest, and there was uneven stubble growing over his chin.Grooming was even more out of the question, and he looked just like a homeless bum."Don't go." His head seemed to have cleared considerably, and came running to stop Irene. "I need you. It's about Lulu.""Okay, I'll wait." Irene paused, held his gaze for a moment, and spoke. Ricky nodded, and promptly ran into his house, taking a bath and even shaving.Irene did not get impatient either, but standing when heavily pregnant was taxing, and her legs were getting swollen.Sensing her discomfort, Isaac placed a supporting hand over her back. "We can wait in the car.""Okay."Over an hour passed—it was quite some time, but Ricky was a different man when he came out.There was not even a whiff of alcohol from his body, only the faint fresh scent of soap.The mansion was only stinking of alcohol because i
Ricky asked, "What's wrong?""Lulu would never run away, and the fact that she's missing might be proof enough that she's being held against her will… or hurt!" Irene suspected that Lulu's disappearance was connected to the Slates and the Lindts, especially since Ember was no angel!Lulu was alone. If she really was captured or hurt… Irene did not even want to think about it, even as her chest felt stuffy from worry.What should they do?Isaac agreed with Irene—an adult would not go missing for no reason.It could only mean that she was hurt or held against her will.Still, he patted Irene gently on the back. "Calm down. I'll help you look."When Irene looked up at him, her eyes were basically saying, 'Why did you not get involved earlier?'However, she could not fault him because he had no obligation to do so, but she felt flustered at the thought that Lulu might be in danger.As she lost her cool, Ricky could see the question in her eyes and complained right away, "I tri
Isaac did not even have time to flip out when Harvey Gooding came bounding at them, yelling, "Irene Spencer!"He was barely finished with the damage control of Isaac's staged scandal and was going to look for Irene when he found out that she reconciled with Isaac.Were they working together to mess with him?Irene even insisted that Isaac no longer loved her, so why did they kiss and make up?!"You'd better explain yourself, Irene!" Harvey cried out in grief as if he was betrayed. Irene was actually confused why Harvey was losing his temper at her, and asked tentatively, "What do I have to explain? Do I owe you something?"Harvey did a double take, because she did not."You asked me to hide your identity from Isaac and I did it. Why are you with him now? Or does what you said not count?"Harvey had wanted to win Irene over while she had that misunderstanding with Isaac, so that he could steal Isaac's woman and child.And yet… How could he not be upset when his perfect plan
Harvey took one step back when he saw the other man, not because he was superior, but because Harvey himself had no backup.He was also confused. Why did James Cross show up out of the blue? They were in the middle of a highway!Just as he wondered, however, he noticed Irene, who was still in Isaac's car, but with a phone in her hand.Did she call James? He asked her as much, actually a little doubtful that it was her. Irene did not deny it, however. She was worried when she saw Harvey—and actually felt concerned for him instead of Isaac.After all, Harvey had never come out on top in every bout he faced Isaac.It naturally left her worried, so she called James with Isaac's phone, which Isaac had left in his car.However, she called James not so that he would help Isaac beat up Harvey, but to discourage him from actual fisticuffs. Looking Harvey in the eye, she said, "I'm doing this for your own good."Harvey was speechless for a while, his brow creasing. "Why do I fee
After learning that her daughter had faked her death, Sheryl was absolutely apoplectic and scolded her endlessly. "How could you do this? Not everything is about you—it's fine if you left me, but you abandoned your own son and you ran off while pregnant?! Isaac and I had been mourning you every day! But I guess this is what to be expected of you now, huh?!"Irene naturally did not dare to retort, while Isaac listened on nearby with Tommy in his arms.There were things he would never say, but he agreed with the notion nonetheless.Having Sheryl say it might also make Irene remember, preventing her from being too willful in the future.Even if she had her reasons, faking her own death was not the way."You're pregnant! How would you explain to Isaac if something happened? You're an adult now, and soon, the mother of the two children. You should know better instead of just doing whatever you like!"Sheryl then gestured at Tommy. "See? Your own son doesn't even recognize you now. D
Irene sharply noticed that Dr. Pitt was not being exactly friendly, and she turned toward Dr. Kramer—the other Mead Clinic representative—with a quizzical look."Hotmesh Research just published a research paper with our research data and made it available globally," Dr. Kramer said."What?!" Irene exclaimed while trying to keep herself composed.Dr. Pitt was staring sharply at her regardless. "You didn't know?""I didn't," Irene calmly replied. "Is that so?" Dr. Pitt was clearly suspicious, and kept probing. "Didn't you sneak off with the key portions of our research data and give it to Hotmesh?"She stared closely at Irene's face, because if it were Irene, she would definitely turn nervous or react.However, Irene was an excellent doctor, and naturally had the composure to keep herself together.Looking Dr. Pitt in the eye, she said, "I didn't."Dr. Pitt did not give up just yet. "I remembered asking you to compile our research data, and you would have everything in your pos
Dr. Kramer asked, "What is it, Dr. Tanner?"Irene gathered herself and said, "It's nothing."Dr. Pitt returned just then, and as she sat down, she asked, "Why aren't either of you eating?""We were waiting for you," Dr. Kramer said."Eat already," Dr. Pitt said as she picked up a pair of uniquely shaped cutlery."You know how to use that?" Dr. Kramer asked."It's not that difficult," Dr. Pitt smiled. "And as the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do."A waitress arrived with two coffees and a glass of milk just then, leaving Dr. Kramer perplexed. "We didn't order that.""I did," Dr. Pitt said, and passed Irene the milk. "You shouldn't drink coffee while pregnant, so I ordered this for you.""Thanks, chief," Dr. Kramer said, and picked up his cup of coffee.Irene took her milk and thanked Dr. Pitt too, taking a sip since she was feeling thirsty. As they ate, Irene started to feel a little dizzy.Noticing that, Dr. Kramer asked, "What's wrong, Dr. Tanner?"Irene sh