Mag-log inShare
Chapter 17
Kaugnay na kabanata
There's No Turning Back Chapter 18
Ethel laughed at Bambi's naivety. "You might not even be able to afford tuition anymore if you follow your mother!"She believed her granddaughter had no idea what awaited her in the future, and Ethel's glare at Elara carried nothing but venom."I want to see how a mere college graduate like you plans to raise Bambi! Bambi doesn't realize her life has already hit rock bottom. The gap between her and Beau is now an unbridgeable chasm."No matter how hard you try, Bambi will never reach the level Beau is destined for!"Elara's voice remained calm. "Both my children came from the same womb. If Beau has something, Bambi should too."Since the Fisher family can't treat them equally, I will take Bambi and help her grow into who she wants to be."Elara turned to leave with Bambi when a group of people carrying briefcases walked into the auditorium. The middle-aged man leading the group wore a modest white shirt and black trousers.Elara's eyes narrowed. How coincidental—it was a famili
There's No Turning Back Chapter 19
Desmond said to James, "I just got off the plane and rushed here from the airport to handle this. If she doesn't step down, Summit Academy won't just lose new enrollments—you'll lose your current students too!"James glanced at Ethel in a panic.Ethel signaled to him with her eyes. "James, don't forget that Fisher Corp is Summit Academy's biggest sponsor..."James appeared torn. On one hand, he couldn't afford to lose Fisher Corp's financial backing. On the other hand, he couldn't risk offending the Department of Education."Enough, Mom!"Harvey's voice was sharp, freezing the air around him. "Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough already?"He turned to Desmond and declared, "I'll take over my mother's position on the board."The man's presence was commanding, leaving no room for objection.Desmond's gaze shifted between Harvey and Elara before he chuckled. "I trust that you will be far more capable than your mother, Mr. Fisher."Then, Elara spoke softly to Bambi, "Let's go.
There's No Turning Back Chapter 20
Elara opened the gift box, revealing a sapphire bracelet inside. Her gaze sharpened as she picked it up."What's the size of this bracelet?" she asked."5.6 inches," Harvey replied instinctively.Elara let out a dry laugh, and a bitter taste was rising in her throat. "That's Niamh's wrist size."She extended her hand out the window, letting the sparkling sapphire bracelet slip from her palm.Harvey's brow furrowed as emotions rippled through his usually cold eyes. "You're just jealous of Niamh. That's why you're throwing this tantrum."I've known Niamh for over 20 years. If there were something between us, do you think you'd even be here?"His words seemed to stir something deep within Elara—a memory buried in the past. Her broken smile reflected back at her in the rearview mirror."Do you remember about the night you left to find Niamh three years ago? You made me go to the hospital alone."I had a fever of 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit that night. Taylor was on leave, and the sta
There's No Turning Back Chapter 21
"Ack!" Niamh let out a sharp cry behind Harvey.Harvey turned to see her sprawled on the ground with her hair disheveled, and her wide, imploring eyes were fixed on him."Harvey…"An indelible image overlapped with the scene before him in his mind—his sister, Dawn Fisher, who was forever frozen at 18, was calling out to him again and again amidst the flames.He walked over and helped Niamh to her feet.Seated in Harvey's car, Niamh struggled to suppress the triumphant smile threatening to bloom on her face."What do you plan to do with this bracelet?" she asked while holding it out in her palm."Throw it away," he replied curtly in a cold tone."Sure thing!" Niamh responded nonchalantly while miming a toss toward the window.With a deft twist of her wrist, she slipped the bracelet into her pocket instead in a seamless movement.…In the Fisher residence's study, the strikingly handsome man sat behind the desk as his eyes scanned the pages of Elara's medical records.His gaz
There's No Turning Back Chapter 22
Charles noticed Theodore was in an unusually good mood. "Was that a big client?""Yeah."Charles grew curious and pressed further, "How big of a client are we talking about, to make you this happy?"Theodore replied casually, "If I win this case, I'll go home and get married."The entire room of lawyers stared at him in shock.Theodore was notorious in their circle as a golden bachelor, someone allergic to romantic entanglements and entirely disconnected from emotional relationships. Due to his profession, nobody—male or female—dared to play games with him. Those who tried always ended up in court or at the police station.The meeting room buzzed with chatter. What kind of case or client could be significant enough to prompt Theodore Snapp to turn the page to a new chapter in his life?…Elara didn't have to wait long before she received a call from August Hanson, the manager at BrightPeak Securities."I have 60 million to invest in the stock market," she said calmly.Augus
There's No Turning Back Chapter 23
"Alright, I understand," Harvey said as he prepared to hang up.But then he casually added, "How did Elara get in touch with you?"August answered respectfully, "It was Mr. Snapp who introduced me to Ms. Jones."Harvey's gaze darkened, and a shadow settled over his sharp eyes. "Theodore Snapp?"August nodded quickly. "Yes, him."Harvey said nothing more, but a chilling air seemed to emanate from his composed face.…When Elara returned to the Jones residence, the maids had already prepared dinner. Now that she was divorced, she felt it was time to have an honest conversation with her parents.She first took Bambi upstairs to change into fresh clothes. After washing up, she held Bambi's hand and led her out of the room, only to run into her parents."Ah, you're home, Lara?" Her mother, Daphne Larkin, cooed while being carried princess-style in her father, Abel Jones' arms.Daphne had a doll-like face that made her look no older than 30, though she was actually 46. Since Elara
There's No Turning Back Chapter 24
Elara chuckled and said, "I've thrown away plenty of trash. Take your time picking it up."Even if Niamh stripped naked and lay in Harvey's bed, it wouldn't spark a shred of anger in Elara. She would only watch with amusement as Niamh brought about her own downfall.Upon learning that the bracelet was a gift from Harvey, Abel seemed relieved. It confirmed to him that Niamh still held a firm grip on Harvey's heart.Abel shifted his anger toward Elara at the dining table."You must have done something to upset Mr. Fisher that led to the divorce! I'm telling you right now that you ought to go and patch things up with him!"The Jones family are against divorces! Aren't you embarrassed? You're a 30-year-old single mom! Who would want you after this?"Elara ate calmly, occasionally checking on Bambi to ensure she was eating well. She asked, "Dad, aren't you going to ask me why I divorced Harvey?""Why bother? You couldn't even keep a man! Do you know how hard I worked to arrange the m
There's No Turning Back Chapter 25
"Ahhh!" Daphne let out a piercing scream, startled by the sudden chaos.As the round table flipped, Abel scooped Daphne into his arms and stumbled several steps back in panic.Elara seized the moment, rushing forward to pick up Bambi and running toward the nearest kitchen."Abel, I'm so scared!" Daphne whimpered while clinging tightly to Abel's neck.Abel gently patted her shoulder. "Don't be afraid, Daffy. I'll give them both a good slap, and they'll behave!"Daphne shuddered at his words.Niamh, on the other hand, wore a gleeful smile. Elara hadn't faced Abel's wrath since returning to the Jones family. Watching Abel discipline his daughter and granddaughter? Now that would be entertaining!"Elara! Come out here!" Abel shouted, striding toward the kitchen as he loosened the buckle on his belt. He pulled it free, wielding it like a seasoned warden.Then Elara appeared at the kitchen doorway with a sharp knife in her hand. She had Bambi stay behind her in the kitchen while she
Pinakabagong kabanata
There's No Turning Back Chapter 458
Elara sat in the chair beside the bed and noticed the dried blood caked beneath Leonard's fingernails.In Leonard's current condition, he couldn't bathe himself. The hospital would have assigned caregivers, but for someone as proud as him, it would take considerable mental preparation to accept being touched by strangers.Elara then stood and fetched a basin of water from the bathroom. She placed it on the bedside table, wrung out a damp cotton pad, and lifted one of Leonard's hands. She began cleaning him with gentle strokes.Leonard's eyes widened. His brain screamed to pull away, but his limbs refused to obey. Trapped in his useless body, he could only watch as Elara bent over his hand with quiet determination."Let me do that," Oliver offered hastily, jumping to his feet.To Oliver, Leonard's survival alone seemed miraculous—his cleanliness was the least of their concern."Get me some cotton swabs and toothpicks," Elara instructed instead.After a glance at Leonard, Oliver g
There's No Turning Back Chapter 457
The next day, Elara lay on the bed as the psychiatrist conducted her postnatal psychological evaluation in the hospital room."After assessment, Ms. Jones, we've diagnosed you with postpartum depression. The Fisher family has assembled a 30-member medical team to help you through this period."When Elara woke, she learned she'd been unconscious all night. The doctor explained she'd experienced postnatal hypoglycemia."Does my husband know I fainted?" Elara asked."Madam Foster prefers Mr. Fisher not be troubled with such matters."The doctor's phrasing was diplomatic—Ethel's actual words were to keep Harvey uninformed so he wouldn't be bothered. After all these days Elara had spent in the hospital, no doctor had seen Harvey visit.Just then, the baby girl in the bassinet began whimpering.Elara's heart clenched. "Why is her voice hoarse?""She cried continuously after you collapsed," the doctor explained."Let me hold her." Despite foreseeing their inevitable separation, Elara
There's No Turning Back Chapter 456
"You're delusional! Do you think the Fisher family is somewhere you can come and go as you please?"Ethel's face twisted instantly with rage. Zachary, playing the confused peacemaker, asked, "Elara, you just gave birth—why this sudden talk of divorce?"As if illuminated by some grotesque light, Elara stared at the couple who always played good cop, bad cop."Where was Harvey when I was in labor? I sent countless messages, made endless calls, yet they all vanished into thin air!""Why were you bothering him with so many calls?" Ethel shrieked, chastising her for being unreasonable."The Fisher family has provided you with the finest care—you delivered in a Fisher Corp hospital! Do you know how much this VIP suite costs? With your private nurses, you're burning through 10 grand a day!"Ethel jabbed a finger toward the window. "Look at this view, this location! Elara Jones, what more could you possibly want?"Zachary maintained his mediator's tone. "Elara, postpartum hormones are a
There's No Turning Back Chapter 455
Oliver opened his mouth to ask Elara something, then thought better of it. He pressed his lips together.With detached calm, Elara took the divorce papers and walked away.When she returned to her hospital room, she found Ethel and Zachary standing by the bassinet. Zachary cradled a small bundle while Ethel cooed at the baby in his arms."My precious grandson is so adorable! Look at his nose and mouth. He looks just like his father."Zachary couldn't take his eyes off the swaddled infant. "I finally have a grandson."Elara drifted in like a ghost—ten months of pregnancy had turned her heart to ashes.The babies' birth brought no maternal joy. With her surgical wound split open, she moved like a bleeding zombie.Ethel's smile vanished when she noticed Elara. "Where have you been? You were wandering around while Beau's starving!"Ethel exchanged a satisfied glance with Zachary, clearly reveling in the choice. "It means handsome, you know—refined, noble. A name worthy of carrying
There's No Turning Back Chapter 454
Elara's entire body turned cold, all surrounding sounds fading away as she stared blankly at the glowing "In Surgery" sign. Her heart hung suspended by an invisible thread.Leonard's assistant emerged from the elevator and noticed the scattered papers on the floor. Spotting Elara's name on the documents, Oliver crouched down and picked up the divorce agreement.When he looked up, he saw Elara standing motionless outside the operating room. "Ms. Jones?"Oliver approached quickly, urging her, "You just had a C-section. Please return to your room and rest."Elara's eyes were vacant, her dark hair cascading over shoulders that framed her bloodless face."Tell me," her pale lips trembled."What really happened to Leonard? His legs..."Just imagining the state of Leonard's legs made bile rise in her throat."Six months ago, several Dragonheart researchers developed mysterious illnesses with no discernible cause. Their families blamed the institute and went to the media."The pressur
There's No Turning Back Chapter 453
Elara wandered the hospital corridors in a loose pale blue dress, like a lost ghost. She'd called Leonard multiple times, but no one answered.Finally, she reached Leonard's assistant."Where's Leonard? I can't reach his nephew, and now even he won't take my calls?"She wanted to divorce Harvey, but she'd just given birth. Though her in-laws disliked her, they'd never allow a divorce at this time.A divorce after she had given birth would damage Harvey's reputation, so the entire Fisher family would prevent it from happening.Only Leonard could intervene. As the Fisher family's most authoritative figure, his word could make her divorce possible."Ms. Jones, my apologies. Mr. Fisher has been hospitalized. When... When he wakes up, I'll inform him you're looking for him."Elara froze. She heard Oliver's voice trembling. "What happened to Leonard?"A terrible premonition settled over her as Oliver replied mechanically, "I'm afraid that's classified information."Elara pressed, "W
There's No Turning Back Chapter 452
"Mr. Fisher, are you essentially handing Dragonheart over to me?" Elara asked.Leonard replied, "I want Dragonheart to enter a new era."He explained to Elara, "I've led Dragonheart for seven years. During that time, it operated quietly behind the scenes, but I've realized the world isn't the same as it once was."I'm not suited for the spotlight. So, I want to entrust Dragonheart to you."Ms. Jones, I'm counting on you to put Dragonheart on the map. I need you to bring more researchers into the limelight—to make them seen and celebrated!"A spring breeze seemed to sweep through the room, rippling across the lake-like depths of Elara's eyes."Mr. Fisher, your vision aligns perfectly with mine!"She tightened her grip on the contract. "What's the average salary for a regular researcher at Dragonheart?""Around 100 grand per year. Last year's average annual pay was roughly 180 grand when adding up various state subsidies."Elara responded, "Priscilla's Quantum Tech offers new gr
There's No Turning Back Chapter 451
Leonard's eyes showed no emotion, and his tone was indifferent. "Don't think so."Seeing that Leonard didn't recognize the lady in the journal, Elara didn't press further."Maybe good-looking people just look alike." She offered herself a reasonable explanation.Leonard watched her, then brought up another matter. "I've already assigned people to keep strict watch over Harvey. He's sleeping in a communal bunk now and getting monitored day and night."Elara asked, "Is Harvey at Atkina Church?"Leonard nodded and handed her his iPad.On the screen was a video sent by Harvey's guards. In it, Harvey wore gray work clothes and black rubber boots, carrying a large plastic bucket in each hand. Upon closer look, he even had labor gloves on.He was hauling the heavy buckets toward the vegetable patch."He's…" Elara gasped."Fertilizing the garden."She fell silent for a few seconds, then peered at the iPad again, as if doubting her own eyes. This was unbelievable!This was a man who
There's No Turning Back Chapter 450
Harvey avoided the cameras when he snuck into the ward, causing the security guards to not instantly notice his tracks.Only after Elara brushed her teeth did her mouth feel fresh. She asked a security guard, "Did you guys catch Harvey yet?"The security guard replied, "We've caught him. Prof. Fisher has instructed that if anyone bothers you, we should first lock him up. Once it's morning, we'll report this incident to Prof. Fisher."Elara nodded and thanked them. "Thank you for your hard work. All of you may head out."Once the security guards had left, Elara and Lesley remained together.Lesley put her hand behind Elara's head. She kept glancing at Elara. This time, she dared not close her eyes easily."Do you want to go to Melcina with me?" asked Lesley out of the blue.Elara asked in return, "You want to return to Melcina?"Lesley looked down. "If you plan to return to Melcina, then I'll go with you."Elara replied, "When I was 18, I had the chance to choose whether I shou
