The moment Leonard arrived at Bardoff Hospital, he was sent straight into the operating room.In the past few days, he had been tortured by that group of kidnappers. He was injured all over—he was lucky to still be alive. When Jenny and Stephanie rushed to the operating room, Alec was there too. Since Paul was also in the hospital, Alec arrived earlier."What's his situation?" Jenny asked worriedly. She was afraid that something would happen to Leonard. After all, Stephanie had already decided to marry him. It would be cruel if anything happened to him now.Alec shot her a reassuring look and said, "He's badly wounded, but they're not life-threatening. He'll be alright after a few days' worth of rest."Jenny and Stephanie both sighed in relief.Alec didn't let it go just yet. He looked at Stephanie coldly. "Miss Walker, Leonard's surgery will take a while. Why don't you visit Paul and apologize to him in the meantime?"Jenny said nothing. She and Alec were clear about this. Alt
Alec repeated everything Jenny had said to Paul in his ward. "What do you think? Are you prepared to press charges against Stephanie?""Did you even need to ask? If I were to do that, I'd drive a wedge between you and Jenny." Paul understood this. Alec was putting himself in his shoes, and he had to do the same for him. Besides, he never really wanted Stephanie to take responsibility."Calling it even is pretty great. I wouldn't have to feel guilty anymore." Ever since Stephanie left, Paul lived in guilt and regret. He should be happy to be able to call it even.Alec was a little worried. "You and Stephanie…""She's already calling it even. What am I going to do? Force her? You can tell Jenny that I'm not going to bother Stephanie anymore." Paul seemed to be making a decision.Since this happened, Paul was seeing a lot of things clearly for the first time. He truly no longer had a chance with Stephanie. Nothing he did would change it. She would only hate him even more. He was ju
Stephanie stayed by Leonard's side until night fell over the city. Then, Leonard slowly woke up."Stephanie?" When he opened his eyes, he saw Stephanie and her reddened eyes. "Why are you crying? Did someone pick on you?"It was as if he was completely unaware of the situation he was in. His first instinct was to worry about Stephanie.It made Stephanie's eyes turn even redder. "You're the one picking on me.""Me?" Leonard was stunned. He got up, but then the aches in his body sent waves of pain washing through him. It hurt so badly that he gnashed his teeth.Stephanie got up to hold him back. "Don't move. Rest well."Leonard had no other choice. He wanted to move, but he couldn't. "Sorry. I've made you worry." It was then that he remembered what had happened, and he understood why Stephanie would have tears in her eyes.He was careless. He hadn't thought the criminals would be brave enough to kidnap him.Stephanie pouted, doing her best to calm herself down. "You don't have to
In the following days, Jenny went to work as usual. However, she would check in on Leonard every day. Although Leonard was not her patient, he was her best friend's boyfriend. She had to watch out. If anything happened to him, Stephanie would have her head.Thankfully, Leonard healed up quickly. He was ready to be discharged in a week.The day he was discharged, Jenny saw him and Stephanie walking together. Their relationship blossomed during the days of his hospitalization. They had obviously fallen more in love with each other."You can go back to work, Jenny. I'll send him back," Stephanie said.Jenny nodded and looked at Leonard. "Be careful in the future. You may not care about your life, but you must consider how others will feel.""I know." Leonard knew what Jenny meant by that, and he had nothing to say in return. He felt that she was right.Jenny only went back to work after she watched them leave.It was busy in the neurology department. Jenny had already spent some ti
Once she packed up all her things, she followed Alec out of the hospital, and they drove to the restaurant."What are we eating?" Jenny was in a good mood. After all, she had worked the whole day and attended to a lot of patients. She felt accomplished and satisfied, so much so that she forgot all about the exhaustion in her bones.Alec looked at her. "What do you feel like eating?""I'm fine with anything," Jenny said."Then you will go wherever I go.""Okay." Jenny had no objections to that. She didn't notice anything different with Alec's gaze. If she had any inkling of what would happen after, she would not be this calm.The car arrived at the entrance of the restaurant. It was a place they often came to eat because of the great food and good ambiance.Jenny didn't think there was anything off about it. She followed him into the restaurant, which was when she realized that it was far too quiet. "Why is no one here?"There were always a ton of customers in this restaurant.
Although Jenny could guess what Alec was up to when she saw Stephanie and the others, seeing him actually get down on one knee and present the ring to her was a thrilling experience. She'd fantasized about this scenario more than once, and now it was finally coming true. She had to admit that she was overjoyed.Although she and Alec shared a tumultuous history, they finally ended up together. She had long fallen in love with him, so this marriage would not be like the first. In fact, in Jenny's eyes, this was the real marriage."Jenny?"Jenny was just staring at Alec with seemingly no intention of accepting. Alec couldn't help getting worried. "I know I was an asshole in the past and didn't treat you well. But this time, I swear to be better to you. Whatever happened before will not happen again."A huge misunderstanding had been committed between them. If they hadn't married and then divorced in a haze, he and Jenny would not have had such a hard time getting together.Jenny snap
Alec scolded him inwardly for being so immature, then said coldly, "I'd advise you to be more careful with your words in the future. You're married now. Jade might run after you with a rolling pin one day."Max glanced nervously at Jade for a second. However, she didn't look angry. He retorted, "Jade and I are on great terms. She wouldn't mind.""That's enough. Eat your food." Jade rolled her eyes. Although she knew Max didn't really have feelings for Jenny, she felt it was best if he shut up now, in case he killed the vibe.Max instantly looked at Jade pitifully as if wanting to object. But when he saw her warning glare, he shut up.Jenny didn't expect the flamboyant Max to be subdued after his marriage to Jade. He was a family guy now, nothing like the arrogant bastard he was before. It seemed that marriage could change people.It was a merry atmosphere in the restaurant. After the meal, Alec offered to take them to the bar for drinks. His proposal had succeeded, after all, an
Melanie was straightforward. She said whatever she wanted. Even before Paul, she didn't have any intentions to lie or pretend. She didn't care what sort of person Paul was. It was enough that she liked him.Paul said nothing, merely snatching his glass back. "Unfortunately, I don't like you back.""Why not? Is it because I'm not as pretty as Stephanie? Or is it because you think I'm no match for her?" Melanie couldn't understand why Paul still hadn't let go even though Stephanie and Leonard were already together. He had no hope at all. Wasn't he tired?Paul kept on drinking, sweeping his gaze over Stephanie and Leonard. Stephanie was leaning against his shoulder. Although Paul had verbally let her go, he couldn't help feeling an ache in his heart when he saw her.Melanie noticed his gaze and waved her hands in front of him. "Stop looking. She won't be yours no matter how long you look."That was exceptionally cruel. Paul looked at her angrily. "What I said is true, Paul. I like
That afternoon, Gilbert called off his engagement to the Silveras. He did not pick up a single one of Lottie's calls. When he found Marigold, she was taking Caleb on a stroll around the neighborhood. It had been a while since she'd taken notice of anything related to Gilbert. She suddenly felt how nice it was to have her mental energy spent somewhere else, no longer being so hung up on that man. However, when Gilbert appeared before her, her heartbeat quickened. "Why are you here?" Marigold said, snapping out of her reverie. Gilbert smiled lightly. Without saying much else, he pulled her into an embrace. "Didn't you say that I could come to see you once everything is settled?" Marigold was stunned. She was in disbelief. "So, what you're saying is it's all over?" "Didn't you read the news?" Gilbert was speechless. "No. I didn't want to care." Every time she saw anything about Gilbert and Lottie, she felt miserable. She'd rather save herself the pain and block out anything
In the end, Esther went with Gilbert's suggestion. However, she did not trade Bradshaw Operation's projects with Jenny. She went with the Silveras. For one, she did not trust the Walters. On the other hand, the Silveras and the Bradshaws were going to be united through marriage. They deserved to be trusted more. Gilbert didn't mind. After all, if anything happened to the Bradshaws, the Silveras would not help. With those projects in hand, they would only fall further into debt. The plan was going smoothly. Gilbert had not gone to see Marigold once. He knew that before subduing the Bradshaws, going to visit Marigold would only endanger her. After all, Marigold was safe. Nothing had happened, and Caleb was growing up healthily. One month later, things began to feel off in Bradshaw Operations. After Faust Group received their money, they did not start the project. No one knew what they were doing. Esther was feeling antsy. She prodded Gilbert to ask if there was anything wro
That very afternoon, Esther and Gilbert rushed to Faust Group to sign the deal. Gilbert said he was worried that Alec would change his mind, so he urged Esther to sign it. Only through a written contract would they be able to relax. Esther thought it made sense and agreed to rush to Faust Group with Gilbert.In the meeting room, Alec looked at the two people before him, expressionless. "You have a good son, Mrs. Bradshaw." "I'm flattered. My son had Bradshaw Operations' interests at heart. He'll inevitably be a little insensitive. Please don't hold that against him, Mr. Faust." Esther smiled. She didn't mind Alec's sarcasm because it didn't matter. As long as Bradshaw Operations could truly benefit from this, she didn't care how much Alec mocked her. Alec smiled coldly and slid the contract over to her. "You may flip through it." Esther took it and read through it seriously.If this project succeeded, they would reap massive rewards. However, it required a massive upfront inv
In the following days, Gilbert headed over to Faust Group infrequently during the day. To others, he was there to talk business with Alec. But in reality, it was a different scenario altogether. Vincent brought Gilbert a cup of coffee in Alec's office. Because of all the times he'd been there, Vincent knew what he wanted without having to ask. Alec had a cup of coffee placed before him, too. Everyone thought that Gilbert was trying to convince Alec to give him one of the shares, which was why he always came there, but that was not the case. The collaboration was a set-up. As long as the Bradshaws signed the deal on the project, they would not escape unscathed. Gilbert had planned this for a long time just to trick the Bradshaws into accepting the project. However, the scheme had to be executed perfectly. Since Gilbert buttered up the project in front of the Bradshaws, Alec had to feign disinterest in his collaboration. Otherwise, it would seem suspicious if Alec, a smart ma
After the engagement party, Gilbert officially had a stronghold in Bradshaw operations. Because he was already very capable, he had a lot of supporters. No one challenged him in the company. Most of them sucked up to him because they knew that if things went well, he would be the heir of the company.Gilbert didn't really care about that. He didn't even want to be there for long. He knocked on Esther's door and walked into her office."Come, sit." Esther was all smiles when she saw him. It was more sincere than before.She used to doubt him a lot, but now, although she still had her reservations, she mostly believed in him. In her eyes, no one would reject the chance to inherit Bradshaw Operations. This was basically manna from Heaven. Gilbert just didn't know it back then, and now he did. Gilbert sat down in front of Esther and began reporting the information he had gathered, as well as his thoughts on Bradshaw Operations and his plans for the future.When he presented the inf
Gilbert and Lottie's engagement party was held at Bardoff Grand Hotel on Saturday.A ton of people showed up to their engagement party. After all, the Bradshaws and the Silveras were pretty big names in Bardoff City, and plenty of the other families knew of their true wealth. They all came to attend the party. Jenny and Alec had both received invites. Jenny was Gilbert's sister, and on top of that, they represented the Walters and the Fausts. It was to be expected. At first, Jenny didn't want to go. The party held no meaning to it. It was just a show put on for Esther. It would be a complete waste of her time. However, she was talked into it by Alec. It would be weird if she didn't go. Zack brought Janet to the party. He found Jenny and was in a daze. "Wasn't Gilbert courting Marigold? Why is he engaged to Lottie?" Jenny rolled her eyes. "What have you been doing, Zack? You're really bad at keeping up." Gilbert had been courting Lottie for a while now. If Zack paid attention
Gilbert drove to Jenny's villa, but he was in no rush to get down. He didn't unlock the doors, either. He obviously wanted to talk to Marigold. But Marigold evidently didn't want to. "I want to take my child and leave." She was afraid. What if Gilbert and Lottie married and took her child away? She no longer believed in love. The only thing she believed in was her child. Gilbert tightened his grip when he heard that. "Marigold, the engagement is only for Esther to see. I have no feelings for Lottie." "Who knows? People change. You said you didn't have feelings for me, too." Marigold found this all very amusing. Perhaps this was fate. Gilbert wanted to keep explaining, but Marigold did not give him the chance to. "Just let me and Caleb leave. If what you say is true, you can come to find us once everything is over." And if Gilbert didn't come looking for her, the truth would unfold itself, and she would give up all hope. Gilbert understood that Marigold had already made
Marigold was miserable throughout dinner, but she persevered till the end without being too dramatic. After dinner, they walked to the entrance of the shopping mall.Gilbert went to get the car. Lottie stood with Jenny and Marigold. Watching Gilbert leave, she turned toward Marigold. "I heard that you used to like Gilbert very much." "It's all in the past. It's not worth mentioning." Marigold didn't want to talk about it. She was afraid that Lottie would see that she still liked Gilbert. Most importantly, she was afraid that Gilbert's plan would be ruined. Lottie smiled. "That's true. The past is the past. You're such a nice person. You'll definitely be able to find someone better suited for you in the future." Marigold pursed her lips. Gilbert soon brought the car over. Lottie was about to get into the car, but before she did, she suddenly turned to Marigold and said, "Gilbert and my engagement party will be in a few days' time. If you have the time, you're more than welcom
Everyone was shocked to hear her speak so suddenly. Lottie was stunned, and she explained, "You've misunderstood. That's not what I meant. I just think that if the child follows his father, it'll help him develop better, and you'll be less stressed." "I don't need your concern. I can raise my child alone," Marigold snorted. She did not hold back at all. Lottie looked unpleasant. Gilbert had no choice but to step in. "We'll have our own child together. And whoever likes it the most will get to keep it." Although they knew that Gilbert had meant this for Lottie to hear, Marigold found it extremely upsetting. She looked at Gilbert, and for a moment, she was unable to tell if he was being genuine. She thought of all that Gilbert had said to her last night, saying that he didn't like Lottie and had no intention of marrying her. But he looked to be truly in love. Marigold didn't think she could tell if he was faking it. "I'm sorry. I need to go to the restroom." Marigold didn't w