“Back then, the Kents were still my allies. They gave me a vial and told me that it was a vaccine that could resist the virus infection. So because I trusted in the Kents and how much I worried about my daughter’s wellbeing, I bought it with a lot of money. I then injected the vaccine into my daughter.“Hernandez clenched his fists and gnashed his teeth. “I didn’t expect my daughter to be still infected by the virus. It’s no wonder she would suddenly leave the de Armas a year later and travel to Morwich with Strix. Those people actually lied to me for decades!“As for that vial, it was not the vaccine at all but a prototype of the virus, and they lied to me so that I would use my daughter for the experiment!“The atmosphere in the office remained silent for a moment while Nolan poured himself a cup of tea and then asked slowly, “Is the virus part of their experiment?”‘Erwin told me in Stoslo that my infection is only the first step.’Hernandez’s emotional breakdown was caused upo
Nolan clasped his hands that were placed in front of him tightly before opening his pursed lips slightly. “They’re still experimenting with it.”Hernandez was stunned and then asked, “How did you know about that?”“Because I’ve been infected.” His indifferent gaze landed on the teacup. “There’s no incubation period this time around. It’s a new virus.”“Does Maisie know about this?”“She doesn’t know.”Hernandez was shocked and did not speak for a long time.Nolan stared at him. “Zee’s mother was infected with the virus. She must have taken something to counter it after that, which is why Zee isn’t showing any signs of infection. Not to mention that her blood is very special.”Hernandez took a deep breath picked up the teacup but did not drink from it.Nolan then said nonchalantly, “I’ll divorce Maisie.”Hernandez glanced at Nolan for quite a while. Judging from what he just saw, he could see that Nolan really cared about his granddaughter. He then put down the teacup. “I see.”
In the evening, Maisie went to pick up Ryleigh.Ryleigh was wearing a suspender skirt and had a pair of ponytails, looking pure and energetic. She got into the car and fastened her seat belt. “Why would you think of asking me out for a drink all of a sudden?”Maisie had already started the car and departed. She only gave off a depressing smile. “I’m in a bad mood.”“You and Nolan, did you quarrel or what?” Ryleigh sensed her emotions. “Wasn’t everything fine between the two of you before you went to Stoslo?”Maisie’s eyelashes twitched, but she could not bear to utter the sentence “we’re going through a divorce” in the end.She did not say it, maybe because she wanted to maintain the marriage in front of others, even if she was only lying to herself for a short moment.When they came to a bar, both of them ordered a cocktail respectively. Ryleigh stirred the drink with a straw and turned to look at her. “Zee, are you okay?”Maisie paused for a split second but then changed the s
“Lew, it’s strange that you actually called your fiancée here to drink with us.” Tanner Hannigan was holding a red wine glass, and his gaze was fixed on Louis as he teased and chuckled.Louis did not respond to him.Ryleigh threw the snacks on the table at him. “Nonsense! What are you blabbering about over there?”Tanner avoided the projectiles and laughed. “We’re all living in the same circle. Who wouldn’t know about the engagement between the Hills and the Lucases?”No one in the social circle did not know about the news about the engagement between the Hills and the Lucases. It was already a fact that had been planned and prepared round the clock. Even if Ryleigh did not want to acknowledge the fact, she could not hide from it for the rest of her life.Donovan Santiago, sitting beside Louis, also teased Helios with a chuckle. “Hels, are you still not going to start thinking about your marriage?”Helios put down his glass. “I’m not in a hurry.”“You’re not in a hurry? You’re a
Ryleigh did not want to stay here alone, so she was grabbing her handbag when she turned around and found out that Maisie’s phone was on the couch.“Sigh, how did she…”When she picked up the phone and tapped on the screen, she saw an unread text message when the screen lit up. She was obviously shocked when she saw the content of the text message.Louis looked at her. “Is it her phone?”Ryleigh did not answer, picked up her handbag, and quickly dashed out of the room.“Lew, what are they…” Donovan asked while the other two looked a little confused.Louis took a deep breath and got up. “You guys should continue. I’ll catch up to them and check things out.”As soon as Ryleigh walked out of the bar, Louis came up to her, held her, and said slowly, “Call Helios and ask him where he is. I’ll take you there.”Ryleigh was still trapped in a daze.Louis thought she did not hear him and was about to say something when Ryleigh suddenly looked up at him. “Mr. Goldmann wants to divorce Z
“Yes, I envied him for having parents who love him, and I envied the freedom that he has.” Helios explained with a smile.The loneliness in his eyes made Maisie feel that he was indeed envious of Nolan.Helios added indifferently, “Someone once told me that it will be a tragedy if humans don’t have any dreams and don’t have the guts to live for themselves but only know how to follow the rules and survive this world, jumping from one day to another.”He then turned to look at her. “The person who said that was Nolan’s mother, Aunt Natasha Knowles.”Maisie opened her mouth but did not speak.He continued to say slowly, “The elders in my family have always been very strict. When I was young, besides learning etiquette and established practices, I also had to read various books to supplement my knowledge. And after I went to a private college, I had to learn even more things. Thus, I didn't have enough time to relax. I didn’t even dare to hope to be able to make friends back then.”M
Maisie stopped talking.‘I’ve heard from Cherie about the story between the Bouchers and the Knowles. If Yael hadn’t given up on Natasha because of his family’s arrangement back then, perhaps, Nolan wouldn’t have been the Nolan that I’ve known and loved. Helios wouldn’t have been the Helios who’s sitting right beside me either.‘Everything has already been predestined, and if I hadn’t changed my mind back then, perhaps I would’ve never met Nolan.‘The absurd event from six years ago led us to tread into each other’s life, sowing a seed that would only sprout later on. Six years later, the gears of fate started turning again, causing us to run into each other once again. But isn’t this all my choice? If I hadn’t chosen to come back to Zlokova to fight for Vaenna but continued to enjoy the fame and fortune that I had earned in Stoslo, I might’ve never met the father of my kids.’Helios took a glimpse at his watch. “It’s very late already. I’ll fetch you home.”After hearing so much,
“Nolan, you—” Louis wanted to rush over and beat him up, but Ryleigh was holding him back, and he couldn’t just push her away. Louis rarely lost his temper and would never fight someone without a valid reason, but Nolan crossed a line!“That's enough.”Maisie looked calm as a statue—her expression was impossible to read. Her fingers curled, turned cold, and shuddered. She looked at Nolan, her eyes finally turning red, and tears almost fell out of them. Still, Nolan wouldn’t look at her. He didn’t dare. “Nolan, what can you do to me if I choose not to proceed with the divorce?” Yes, she had lost her dignity, but she still wanted to try and salvage their relationship. She took a step back but wouldn’t accept the divorce. She wouldn’t leave even if he chased her away. How could she believe that the man who had risked his life to protect her in Stoslo didn’t love her anymore or that he was already tired of her? “Maisie, didn’t you hear him? Getting a divorce with him would be y