The person standing before him was none other than Adie's scumbag daddy.Ugh... but it seemed like he wasn't really a scumbag at all."Why aren't you answering?" Stefan studied Adie intently, then his features relaxed. "Oh, I know. You haven't learned how to talk, have you?"Rolling his eyes, Adie thought, 'Well, there's definitely something wrong with his brain. No wonder he needs surgery. I'm almost five years old, so how can he think that I still can't talk?'"You shouldn't go around alone if you can't talk, or else your parents will be worried..." Stefan reached his hand out to Adie, and ordered softly, "It isn't safe there. Come here." However, Adie glanced at Stefan briefly and ignored him as he bent down and picked up the flowers on the ground."Ah, it seems you're autistic too... You're cute though." Heaving a long sigh, Stefan glanced at Adie compassionately. Although he was usually quite aloof, he had a soft spot for children and furry animals, and would instinctively
"I betrayed her?" Stefan asked in bewilderment, wondering how that statement made sense."Adie!" A voice called out, and Adie turned around to see Justin waving at him."Coming!" Adie grinned when he saw Justin and ran towards him, leaving Stefan standing there in confusion."Didn't your mommy tell you not to talk to bad guys? Stay far away from him." Justin rested a hand on Adie's head and glared at Stefan. He had heard from Renee that Stefan had lost his memories of the twins too, so Stefan had no idea that Adie was his son. Renee had begged Justin to pretend to be Adie and Abby's father to avoid trouble, so Justin purposely tried to sound like he was Adie's father.As expected, Stefan got the wrong idea, and his gaze turned cold as he scoffed, "I would have stayed away from him if I knew that he was Renee's son. It seems like he's just as dangerous as his mother." After that, Stefan shoved his hands into his pockets and left the garden. He didn't want to admit it, but an unexpla
Seeing how Justin was slowly entering his trap, Adie smiled mysteriously but kept Justin guessing. "You should know my mommy well since you like her so much. Why don't you try to guess?""You want me to guess?" Rubbing his chin, Justin nodded contemplatively. "I guess the thing your mommy needs the most is the sincerity of an excellent man like me. It's the reason why I've appeared in her life, because I'm just the thing she needs." "Ugh!" Adie pretended to vomit and complained, "You're so cheesy, Mr. Baldwin; no wonder my mommy doesn't like you. You say you're sincere but isn't that just an empty promise? You should let your actions do the talking.""Haha! You're so young. Do you even know what empty promises are?" "Yes, I do. Empty promises are promises that are never kept while sincerity is the exact opposite." Adie narrowed his eyes at Justin. " Do you want to make empty promises or let your actions speak for you?""Okay, stop beating around the bush. Just tell me what you w
"Huh?" Renee looked confused. "Benefactor, please come in." Adie beckoned Justin in with a finger and said seriously, "I've already discussed it with Mr. Baldwin, Mommy. He'll give you money instead of making you empty promises from now on. Just give him a figure, and you won't have to work so hard anymore.""What?" Renee's jaw dropped, and she stared at Adie in disbelief. What had the little troublemaker done now?However, Justin walked to Renee's bed and nodded sincerely. "Adie's right—I've never really done anything for you. Please let me do something for you now by giving you money, after all... it's pretty much the only thing I have."Renee massaged her aching temples and grumbled, "Stop being unreasonable.""No, I'm being serious. I want to give you money." Justin wanted to show Renee how deep his feelings for her were. He would have banked the money directly into her account if he could. Helpless, Renee said to Justin, "Don't take Adie's nonsense seriously. Plus, I have
Justin only said that because he had noticed bad things happening to his family ever since he started cooperating with the Everhearts. Most of them were attacks on their finances, like Justin's business partner abruptly withdrawing their funds, one of their factories catching fire, and the higher-ups finding fault with him for no reason. However, there had also been physical attacks directed at Justin and Quinton.Quinton found a man-made bomb under his car the day before, and Justin realized that his car brakes had been tampered with when he started his car. Quinton hadn't told Renee about all this because he didn't want her to worry, but Justin felt that she should be aware of just how serious the situation was."That's why I think someone might have caused your fall!" Justin said urgently.Renee clenched her fists and inhaled deeply. "Okay, I'll be careful. Quinton and I just got some time off, and there are already people getting restless." "So, what's your plan now? Do you
Stefan neither admitted nor denied it because he didn't want too many people knowing about it."If you really want to have the surgery... you should remind your surgeon to be careful because someone is trying to plot against him," Renee said carefully, unsure if what Adie had heard was true or not.Stefan stared at her sharply. "What do you know?""Nothing, I… I just feel that people like us should be careful since we've got so many enemies.""Enemies?" Stefan's frown deepened as he asked, "Did you get into trouble?""I'm safe. Plus, those people can't do anything to me," Renee said confidently. She was the world's top killer, so anyone wanting to mess with her was looking for trouble. Even though she was still recovering, she could definitely handle them."You're very sure of yourself, but you have to be careful too," Stefan reminded her gently."You too. Be careful," Renee echoed. It felt like a silent confession of love, a promise that they would both meet again after the sto
Smiling, Billy explained to everyone, "Relax—it is what it is. When we're on the island, the eight guests will be divided into four teams by drawing lots. It's time to see who you're destined to be with... People who get balls of the same colour will be on the same team… That's what 'In The Same Boat' is."The atmosphere became silent. After a while, Skylar complained, "That's so dumb! What if two men or two women get paired up?"Scratching his head, Billy grinned eagerly. "There's nothing wrong with that. After all, our show is called The Choice of Love, so it doesn't always have to be a same-sex couple. People could even become great friends here! The possibilities are endless.""It's obvious that they're trying their best to get viewers, but I'm looking forward to it. We should just try to have a good time while we're here." Leia was quite eager."Yeah, that's right! I don't care who I get paired with, but I'll surely fall for Miss Osborne if I get a cute partner like her." Me
"Damn, enemies really are destined to meet!" Leia groaned when she realized Xavier and her had both picked red balls. Just when she wanted to get away from Xavier, destiny decided to mess with her. If this had been one of his schemes, she would have refused, but it genuinely was a random result. She would only look pretentious and spoiled if she made a fuss, so she resigned herself to silent fuming. "Well, fate has spoken! You can't say no." Smiling victoriously, Xavier tapped Leia's ball with his. "Hello, my boat partner." "Watch it, or I might just kick you off the boat when we're in the middle of the sea," Leia growled under her breath."It's okay, I can catch up to you even if you do. You may not know it but I was once the champion of freestyle swimming," Xavier boasted, completely unbothered by Leia's aloofness. He firmly believed that the law of the jungle was the truth, and would do everything in his power to win. To him, his love for Leia was more important than his dignit
At that time, Amber suddenly realized that there was nothing happier than marrying someone who she loved and who loved her back. The key to an everlasting marriage, which was long and complicated, was not to force herself or her lover."It's great you think that way, but the world might not be as wonderful as you've imagined…" Liam said, melancholic.Amber seemed to have grown up and was no longer the silly young woman who was infatuated with him. She had her thoughts about love and was no longer stubborn about marrying him. She yearned to explore the world and find a new guy. Liam felt that the girl who had always longed for him would finally leave. "The men out there are more wicked than the ones in this fort. There are many cunning and disloyal men. You can't fall in love with just any guy. Someone pure like you will be lied to and bullied. Do you understand?" Liam advised her eagerly, as though he were her senior. He patted her head gently, making her want to rely on him an
Mateo was gone, leaving Liam and Amber alone in the restaurant. Suddenly, awkwardness and silence overcame them. An amorous feeling hovered in the air.Liam finally stopped acting. He chuckled awkwardly and sat up straight, then said to Amber, "Thank you for what you did just now. I wasn't that serious. I was just acting.""I saw that." Amber grinned, teasing him. "I've got to say, you acted well. I thought Matt almost strangled and killed you.""I'm not that weak. Plus, he's not that brave either." A sudden competitiveness gripped Liam; he purposely flexed his arms and acted strong. "Did you think Mateo could fight me? With his physique, I can defeat him with one hand!" "Mm, I think so too. You must be stronger than Matt." Amber nodded, giving Liam her full support. She started to feel that Renee was right to claim that he was just a child."By the way, did you talk to Luneth? What did she say?" Liam asked; he knew that Luneth's attitude was the key to quickly resolving that iss
Amber took a deep breath, her eyes teary. She had long pondered over those words, but was too timid to say them aloud.She wanted to thank Liam for repeatedly insisting that she try to understand herself and reminding her not to take her marriage so callously. After some contemplation, Amber decided to not marry anyone."I won't marry you or Liam. I just want to marry someone I love and who loves me back. Only people who love each other can get married," she said firmly, looking dead serious. Both Mateo and Liam were stunned. Liam stopped acting weak; he held Amber's shoulders and stared at her carefully. "Is that what you truly think?""Yes!" Amber was shocked by the sudden change in Liam and subconsciously leaned backward."That's great! I didn't say those things for nothing. You're finally enlightened!" Liam nodded with gratification. "All I want is for you to understand yourself. There are many messy things and troubles in a marriage. If it isn't supported by love, you'll
Amber helped Liam to sit down before serving him water and rubbing his neck. She was full of anxiety.Mateo angrily gulped down a glass of wine, but the wine was so strong that he began coughing vigorously. It suffocated him. After helping Liam to settle down, Amber turned and glanced at Mateo, who was full of tears."Matt, why…are you crying? You strangled him, but you act like you're wronged!" "I…" Mateo pointed at his throat and the glass; he needed some water. Amber frowned and said solemnly, "You can't do that. You've repeatedly attacked Liam. You were over the line! Don't you know he thinks of you as his brother and values his friendship with you?"Mateo was flabbergasted to hear it. He knew nothing about that—it seemed Liam was even better at acting than him. While complaining about Mateo, Amber smoothed Liam's chest to make the latter feel better. "Liam always lets you have your way, but you target him. If I came late today, you might strangle and kill him."Mateo
Mateo swallowed. "Yes, I'm aware of that. The Stuart family has been investing in a lot of entertainment properties in Southeast Aeos in the recent few years. They're controlling more than half of the TV stations. Their power and influence are incomparable.""Looks like you keep up with the current events. Are you involved in the entertainment field too?" Liam asked.He had easily gained the result he wanted with just a few words. He faked a smile and looked at Mateo, who was panicking.Mateo glanced at him and said grumpily, "All that Master ever asks us to do is indecent. If we don't have any people in the media, we're doomed."The Triangle was never governed by the law, but public opinion was a dangerous weapon. If they went over the line and got reported by the media, international law would get involved. Naturally, it would affect their business.The Stuarts did decent business like the Osbornes and might appear easy to control. However, they couldn't be offended casually—a
Because of Liam's declaration, he and Mateo failed to reach a consensus.Mateo's gaze grew colder and more sinister, and he glared fiercely at Liam. "Fine. There's nothing to talk about between us.""No, you're wrong." Liam calmly swayed the wine glass. "You can get down on your knees and say sorry. Maybe I'll let you off by then!""How dare you!" Mateo could no longer take it—he pushed all the cutleries on the table to the floor and pointed angrily at Liam. "You refused my kindness. I won't go easy on you!""Just come at me. I'll wait," Liam shot back provocatively. He knew Mateo well—the man was wicked and cautious, but also cowardly. Under these circumstances, he wouldn't act recklessly. Hence, Liam wasn't afraid to infuriate him. Renee was right. Mateo had done so many things to control Liam. As long as Liam remained calm, Mateo couldn't do anything to Renee and Leia. "You think I won't do that?" Mateo clenched his fists and snarled fiercely, "I'll break one of their fing
Liam casually twirled the wine glass in his hand and asked Mateo coldly, "So, you won't stop until you marry Gem?""Not just that." Mateo tore off a drumstick and bit into it, then cracked a cunning sneer. "Marrying Amber is always in my plans. I'll marry her even if you're not involved. Tonight, I want to talk to you about the few territories in your hands.""The territories in my hands?" Liam frowned. Initially, he was confused—then, he understood it and chuckled. "What territories? I just work for Mr. Jenkins. The territories we took in belong to him. You'd better ask them from him instead of me. That's more straightforward."When Liam and Amber decided to fake their marriage, Benjamin focused on training Liam. In the process, he gave Liam a lot of power and authority.Liam didn't fail Benjamin. He did a great job even with his limited power. In half a year, he took three territories, namely the East River, West River, and South River. The three territories came with an importan
"Just forget about it?" Luneth fell into a daze when she heard Amber's words. She glanced at Amber darkly before letting out a twisted laugh. Then, she shook her head."No, I can't let it go just like that! Grady was hurt. How can I call myself a mother if I let it go like that? I must make the two people who hurt Grady pay dearly!"Luneth's expression shocked Amber. She subconsciously swallowed and asked, "Well, how will you handle it?" "I told Mateo to lock them up. When Grady's condition stabilizes, I'll make them pay!" Luneth's eyes shone with fury and vengeance, and she gnashed her teeth. "They hurt Grady, so I'll give them a taste of their medicine! I won't break their limbs or cut off their tongues. I'll just cut their foreheads and tear off their scalps! What do you think?""You want to…tear off their scalps?" Terror gripped Amber when she heard Luneth's plan. An awkward laughter escaped her. "Isn't that too ruthless? If they didn't do it on purpose, I don't think you sh
Amber grabbed some tissues beside her and carefully covered the scratch between her brows. She kept calm in hopes that she could make Luneth let down her guard. She knew very well that Liam, Renee, and Leia would be doomed if she didn't stop Luneth from telling Benjamin and Macsen about this incident. Although her face hurt badly from the teacup, it was nothing compared to their safety. "I'm sorry, Gem… I didn't do it on purpose. I was too angry and scared!" Luneth realized how aggressive she had been, and apologized to Amber in sobs. At the same time, she complained piteously, "You know how hard it was for me to get a child. Grady is very dear to Macsen and me. We don't even speak loudly to him or beat him up. But today, someone pressed him to the ground and beat him up. There's such a large hole in his head! The doctors told me that we needed to take good care of his wound. If it gets infected or he gets tetanus, the bacteria or virus might invade his brain and turn him mentall