Tobias' candor rendered Shaun speechless. Shaun said, "Perhaps… she's always been fed up with me!""Why do you say so?"Normally, Tobias couldn't be bothered about other people's affairs. But Shaun's wife was Lucy's best friend. He felt compelled to lend him a listening ear for Lucy's sake. Shaun smiled bitterly. "This is a family affair, and I shouldn't be sharing it with someone else. But I feel like we get along quite well. I wonder if you're interested in hearing me out?""Sure. Our wives are best friends, so we can be friends too. I'll listen if you're willing to tell me," Tobias said.Shaun was slightly surprised. "It's my honor to be friends with you, Mr. Ripley."Tobias chuckled. "It's all thanks to your wife. You better treat her well when you get home…"Shaun never imagined that Sienna would be the reason he forged a friendship with someone else. But he didn't mind at all. Instead, he felt grateful to her. Before this, he hadn't been able to interact with Tobias.
"Yeah." Shaun looked glum. "Sienna initially planned to confess to her crush at our college graduation ball. There was even a venue set up for it, and everyone in school was talking about it. Naturally, I heard about it too."I was afraid to face reality, so I got wasted at a bar instead. But when I woke up the next morning, Sienna was lying next to me. We…" Shaun's voice trailed off, but Tobias understood his implication nonetheless. "No matter what, you two are already legally married. You should treat her well. After being together for so many years, you should've been able to make her open up to you," Tobias said."I don't expect her to love me back, and I'm more than willing to treat her well. But…" Shaun grew visibly frustrated. "Her crush suddenly came back. And I heard that he's intending to get back together with Sienna."Clicking his tongue, Tobias chided, "So what? Act like a man and tell her crush to fuck off instead! Also, you're not even divorced yet. If that guy int
Tobias' invitation sent Lucy flushing. She dropped her gaze, and her eyes flickered. Recalling Sienna's provocative words, she blushed profusely. She couldn't help but bite her lip.Seeing how bashful she became, Tobias chuckled. "It's not like you haven't kissed me before, right? Why are you so shy? Is it because you're thinking about something you shouldn't be?"He leaned into her and tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. Lucy was embarrassed at first, but she eventually regained her composure. Sternly, she began, "Darling, I've decided. I can't live the rest of my life in grief. I'm going to live my life to the fullest and take care of my health. Then, I'll have another baby with you."Noting that she'd emerged from her misery, Tobias was relieved. "Darling, are you willing to have another baby with me?"Tobias held her in his arms, treating her delicately like a rare jewel. "Silly, I'll always be at your service as long as you're willing."Lucy was reassured.
Tobias emerged from the ward an hour later. Glowering at Brett and Anna, he asked coldly, "What are you guys doing here?""Tobias, can I have a word with you?" Anna asked."I'm here to pay Mrs. Ripley a visit," Brett said, brandishing a bouquet of flowers. Tobias sneered. He would not let Anna meet Lucy in any way possible, but he felt assured with Brett visiting her. He was her biological brother, after all. "Anna, I happen to have something to tell you as well. Come here."With that, Tobias turned around and left. Anna trailed after him while Brett headed to Lucy's ward. …In the corridor, Tobias began blatantly, "Anna, are you going to reveal your identity as the imposter of the daughter of the Eberhard family yourself, or do I have to force you?"Caught off guard by his candor, Anna panicked. She struggled to maintain her composure. "Tobe, I don't understand what you're talking about…" She stepped forward and hugged him. Looking aggrieved, she whimpered, "You're mine
"Ms. Everhart, you look identical to someone I know."Brett thought Lucy's resemblance to his mother was striking. "Oh?" Lucy raised her brows. ""Mr. Eberhard, are you trying to chat me up? This is way too outdated!"Brett chuckled. Clearing his throat, he returned to his usual demeanor and said, "I was just kidding earlier. I came to discuss a serious matter with you."Lucy arched her brows. "Is it about your sister?"What good could come from her love rival's brother visiting her?Brett nodded. "That's right." He produced a check and filled in a number casually. "Take this money and leave Tobias!"Lucy chanced a glance at the amount on the check. It was 20 billion dollars!She clicked her tongue and quipped, "Mr. Eberhard, you're really splurging for your sister's sake!"Others would've been thrilled by the amount, but 20 billion dollars was barely a third of Lucy's savings. "This considerable amount of money is more than enough for you to live comfortably for several lif
Gazing at her, Tobias crooned, "Don't worry, babe. How could I possibly marry someone when we're not even divorced? Bigamy is a crime!"He made a lot of sense, but Lucy still felt uneasy. "But why did you want to publicly announce that you're marrying the daughter of the Eberhard family?""Hush, don't worry. You'll find out in a few days," Tobias said, ruffling her hair. Lucy wanted to trust him, but she felt torn deep down. Sternly, she questioned him, "How many days to be exact?""It's the day after tomorrow. I'll have it taken care of by then."Drawing in a deep breath, Lucy replied, "Fine, I'll trust you…" She really hoped that he wouldn't let her down. She seemed conflicted as she hugged Tobias, but he failed to notice the look in her eyes. Instead, he asked tenderly, "You must be hungry. I'll have someone send dinner over.""Alright."Lucy's phone suddenly rang. "It's my parents. They've finally called…" Lucy murmured, her voice dripping with disappointment and an
"Why, you!"Furious, Howard pointed at Anna and gasped, "How dare you hurt us! Tobe will never let you get away with this!"He clutched onto his chest, his face contorting in agony. Anna scoffed, "I won't let him find out how you died!" Her bloodshot eyes turned crazed. Howard's hands quivered as he tried to retrieve his medicine from his pocket. But his hands shook, and the medication bottle rolled to Anna's feet instead. "Medicine… My medicine…" His breathing grew labored. Anna snickered. She kicked the bottle away and whisked his phone out of his pocket. She dragged his hand forward to unlock the phone. "You… You… What are you doing?""I'm going to end all of you who bullied me!"She texted Lucy with Howard's phone. "Come to Misty Summit at Route 216. Don't tell Tobe. I need to discuss something important with you!"Howard was already unconscious due to his heart attack when Anna had finished all her arrangements. Now, she just had to wait for news from Martin a
"Anna, what are you doing in my house?"Upon hearing Anna's voice, Tobias instinctively reprimanded her. But he quickened his pace and hurried to the parking lot. "Tobe, I came to bring some dessert for Joey. But who knew this would happen? And the ambulance still isn't here yet. What should I do…" Anna sobbed on the other end of the line. Looking grim, Tobias ordered, "Stay where you are. Don't you dare leave!"He revved his engine and sped back. His phone fell under his seat on his way back. He heard it ringing, but he had no time to answer. His car came to a halt at Ripley Residence after ten minutes. An ambulance was also parked at the entrance, and medical personnel had already moved Howard and Agatha into the ambulance. "Grandpa! Grandma!" Spiraling in turmoil, Tobias rushed toward them. Joey still felt sluggish, so she seemed utterly addled. "Joey, what did you do to my grandparents?" he snarled. "I've no idea what happened, Tobe. I dozed off. Howard and Agatha