Damon's expression darkened as he said coldly, "Then check the surveillance footage around the hotel.""Understood. I'll get on it right away," Spencer replied.After ending the call, Damon approached Nyla. She spoke in a hoarse voice. "What's the update? Have you figured out what happened?""Not yet, but it should be soon," Damon answered.Nyla nodded, lowering her gaze. "Uncle Damon, I'm really grateful for your help today. It's getting late, so you should go back. I'll stay here."Damon looked at her. She was staring down, her hands tightly clenched, and her body still trembling. He remained silent for a moment before sitting down beside her."I'll stay with you," he said firmly.Nyla said nothing more, silently praying that Valarie would be okay.Soon, Valarie's parents arrived after hearing the news. When they learned that Valarie had fallen while going to celebrate Nyla's birthday, Phoebe Shersby, Valarie's mother, turned icy."I'm so sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Weir..." Nyla ap
Damon's gaze turned icy as if he could kill with a stare.Phoebe felt a pang of guilt under his harsh scrutiny. However, as she gazed at her daughter in the ICU, uncertain of her fate, her anger reignited."Mr. Sumner, I'm not afraid of you. After all, my daughter is in this state. What do I have to lose?" she stated boldly.Nyla stepped forward, looking up at Damon. "Uncle Damon, it's natural for Mrs. Weir to be upset. She's Valarie's mother. I'm fine."Jonathan sighed and turned to Nyla. "Ms. Jayston, you should go home for now. I'll let you know if Valarie improves."Although Nyla longed to stay, she realized her presence would only add to the tension. "Okay," she agreed.Nyla took one last glance at Valarie through the glass, took a deep breath, and turned to leave. Instead of going home, she found a quiet bench in the hospital lobby."Uncle Damon, you should go back now," she suggested.Damon stood firm. "And you?""I'm staying here tonight. I won't be able to sleep at
Damon's gaze darkened. "Not yet. The hotel's surveillance was damaged, so I had Spencer check the cameras around the hotel. The most important thing for you tonight is to get some rest. We can handle everything else tomorrow morning.""Got it. Thanks, Uncle Damon," Nyla said gratefully."There's no need to thank me. Although it might not be the best time to say this, happy birthday," Damon wished her.Nyla was momentarily taken aback, then replied softly, "Thank you."If Valarie didn't wake up, she might never enjoy her birthdays again."Get some rest," Damon urged."Okay," Nyla agreed.She went to her room, decorated in the same black, white, and gray scheme as the living room. A faint, pleasant fragrance lingered in the air—one she couldn't identify but found quite nice.After taking a shower, she lay down, expecting to have trouble sleeping, but fatigue soon overcame her, and she drifted into a deep sleep.Unbeknownst to her, shortly after she fell asleep, a maid quietly en
Nyla bit her lower lip hard, not letting go even when she tasted blood.After a long moment, she finally said coldly, "Clark, is that all you can do?!""You're the one pushing me. I just wanted to know where you were last night. That's all. If you refuse to tell me, it only makes me think you're hiding something," Clark insisted.Nyla took a deep breath and enunciated each word, "I stayed at your uncle's house last night."The phone call fell into a suffocating silence.Nyla could clearly hear Clark's breathing becoming heavier. She continued slowly. "Valarie had an accident last night. I was emotionally unstable, and Uncle Damon was worried I might overthink things if I went home, so—"Clark sneered. "So he took you to his house? Nyla, don't tell me nothing happened between the two of you alone!""There was service staff in his house, and it wasn't as sordid as you imagine!" Nyla countered.Clark didn't believe a word of it. "Not as sordid as I think? So you just kissed and hu
Jordyn quickly received a call from Michael at the hospital.When she learned that Clark had donated the kidney to her father, she couldn't contain her joy. She had thought it would take longer for Clark to agree, but it happened so swiftly!Now, she just needed to find a chance to tell Nyla about it. She touched her still-flat belly, her eyes filled with scheming.…All day, Nyla had tried calling Clark more than a dozen times, but he hadn't answered any of her calls.It seemed she would have to wait until he returned from his business trip to explain everything.…Spencer entered the CEO's office with a file and knocked on the door. "Mr. Sumner, we've made some progress on last night's incident."Damon put down his documents and looked up at him.Spencer handed over the file and reported, "We found a suspicious vehicle that left through the hotel's back door shortly after Valarie's incident. This car had a fake license plate and quickly vanished down a road without surveilla
It was unexpected that the suspects would attempt to grab Valarie as she jumped from the building, causing her to hit her head and fall unconscious.Damon's expression darkened. "Take those two to the police station. As for Jacqueline, send a few people to capture her and bring her to Nyla. Let her handle it herself."…Jacqueline had just arrived at the airport when the Rainfords' men blocked her path. She scowled. "Get out of my way! I'll miss my flight!"The leader of the group was the Rainfords' butler, who usually took orders only from Byron."Ms. Rainford, your father wants me to take you back," the butler said."I'm not going back. I'm going abroad! If you don't move, don't blame me for being rude!" Jacqueline yelled.The butler, seemingly unperturbed, signaled to his team. They moved forward and forcibly dragged Jacqueline to the car."Let go of me! You're just the Rainfords' lackeys. Don't touch me! I'll make sure my dad deals with you!" Jacqueline screamed.No matter
Seeing the fear in Jacqueline's eyes, Nyla remained unmoved. Valarie must have been even more terrified when she jumped.Jacqueline gritted her teeth and glared at Nyla. "What do you want, Nyla?"Nyla smiled and said, "I just want you to experience the pain and fear that Valarie went through."Jacqueline's eyes widened. "You wouldn't dare! If you lay a hand on me, the Rainfords will never let you get away with it.""If the Rainfords really wanted to protect you, you wouldn't be here right now, would you?" Nyla sang.Jacqueline felt a surge of terror. After all, Byron had watched her being taken away but had done nothing.The thought that Valarie was still lying in the ICU, not knowing when she might wake up, made Jacqueline tremble uncontrollably.She didn't want to end up like that!"Ms. Jayston, I realize I was wrong. Please, can you spare me? I'll go to Valarie's hospital room and beg for her forgiveness. I'm begging you…" Jacqueline pleaded.Her face was pale with fear, an
"I know I was wrong… I'll go to the police and turn myself in. Will you let me go?" Jacqueline pleaded.Nyla shook her head. "I'm afraid that won't work. Even if you turn yourself in, the Rainfords could still bail you out."What I want is for you to experience the same pain and fear that Valarie went through. Only then will you understand what she endured."Jacqueline felt a wave of despair. She hadn't expected Nyla to be so ruthless. She started to regret listening to Erin and taking action against Valarie. If she had just listened to her parents and apologized to Nyla, she wouldn't be in this desperate situation now.Wait… Erin was the one who had instigated her. If she could just shift the blame onto Erin, maybe she could save herself!At that thought, she looked up at Nyla."Ms. Jayston, Erin was the one who directed me," she revealed.Nyla frowned and looked at her coldly. "Erin has no grievance with Valarie. What could she gain from having you harm Valarie?"Jacqueline s
"That's more like it," Valarie chirped.Nyla couldn't help but say, "Valarie, stop bullying Brandon all the time."Brandon turned to her and sighed dramatically. "Aunt Nyla, since you mentioned it, I have to say something. You have no idea what I've been through these past six months, I— Ouch!"Before he could finish, Valarie pinched his waist. "What was that? Tell me, Brandon. Have you been unhappy these past six months?""N-No... I've been very happy..." Brandon winced."Have I bullied you then?" Valarie pressed."No..." Brandon murmured.Valarie huffed. "If not, then keep your mouth shut, or Nyla will really think I mistreat you." Brandon gave her a pitiful look, lowering his head like a scolded puppy.Before they married, Valarie had been gentle and beautiful in his eyes. But after marriage, he realized how wrong he had been.Gentle and beautiful? All an illusion.If he stayed out drinking and came home late, he'd have to choose between sleeping on the couch or outside.
Taking Mia to work was exhausting, but every time she smiled at Damon, it made everything worth it."She'll be fine. Didn't you just say she loves us both equally? She'll cry for a bit, but if you stop taking her to the office, she'll get used to being at home," Nyla reasoned.Seeing Nyla's determination, Damon finally relented. "Alright, we'll try it tomorrow. But if she cries too much, you'll have to take her to the office.""Deal!" Nyla said....After getting ready for work the next morning, Damon kissed Mia on the cheek and headed for the door.As soon as he changed his shoes at the entrance, she reached her little arms toward him, asking to be held. She had grown so accustomed to going to the office with him every day that it had become a reflex.Damon glanced at Nyla. "Nyla, maybe today we should—"Nyla interrupted, "Nope. You go to work. And if you're free for lunch, don't bother coming home. If you need to work late, no rush to come back either."Damon chuckled. "You'
"Brandon, from now on, I'm entrusting Valarie to you," Jonathan said. "She's been spoiled by us and can be a little willful at times. I hope you'll be patient with her in your marriage, and I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together."Brandon held Valarie's hand tightly, his expression solemn. "Dad, don't worry. I'll cherish her with all my heart."Jonathan nodded, stepping down from the stage. He discreetly wiped away his tears.After exchanging vows and rings, Valarie and Brandon sealed their love with a kiss, surrounded by cheers and applause.…On the way home from the wedding, Nyla glanced at Damon. "I saw Mr. Weir wipe his tears so many times today. When Bunny gets married, you'll definitely be just like him, sneaking off somewhere to cry."Damon's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly, his gaze sharpening. "No one will ever be good enough for my daughter. If she never gets married, we'll take care of her for the rest of our lives."Nyla raised an eyebrow and
"Of course! When's the wedding?" Nyla asked.Valarie shook her head. "We haven't decided yet. He'll come to my house in a few days to discuss it with my parents."Nyla raised an eyebrow. "You're about to get really busy. Planning a wedding alone will take a lot of work.""Yeah, I'm already getting a headache just thinking about it," Valarie replied....For the next few months, Valarie was completely consumed by wedding preparations and work, barely having time to catch her breath.The wedding was set for August 8th, leaving them with less than six months to finalize everything.Valarie even traveled abroad several times to meet with designers and ensure her wedding dress was exactly what she wanted.Beyond the dress, she and Brandon spent hours discussing every detail—from the venue to the wedding favors and bouquet choices....After months of nonstop planning, the big day finally arrived.Valarie was already up, getting her hair and makeup done at 2:00 a.m.By the time N
Valarie looked up and saw the approaching glow.When the figure finally stopped in front of her, she realized it was Brandon.Frowning, she asked, "Where did you go? I waited so long for you. And what are you hiding behind your back?"Brandon flipped his phone face-down on the table, revealing the flowers he had hidden. Then he dropped to one knee."Valarie, I had planned a perfect proposal for you, but when you asked earlier about the meaning of wearing a wedding dress, I knew I couldn't wait any longer."Before I met you, my life revolved solely around work. I never paused for anyone—I never cared whether the sun was rising or setting, or if the moon was full or waning. But everything changed after I met you."I began cherishing the thought of greeting you every morning, sharing meals with you, and standing by your side for life."Valarie, I want every morning to begin with us waking up together, and every night to end with us holding each other as we fall asleep."Finally, B
Of course, every time they visited Valarie's home, Phoebe would subtly—or sometimes not so subtly—hint that they should get married.Brandon had always assumed Valarie wasn't interested in marriage since she never responded to those hints. He hadn't considered proposing.But today, seeing her so excited about picking out baby clothes made him start to imagine a future with her—building a family, raising a child.That thought filled his heart with warmth.After more than three hours of shopping, they finally left the mall, their arms full of bags.Once they loaded everything into the car, Valarie turned to Brandon. "I'm starving. Let's grab something to eat."Brandon nodded. "Sure. What are you in the mood for?""I'm not picky. Is there anything good around here? I don't feel like going too far," she replied.Brandon paused, then said, "There's a place with ethnic cuisine nearby. I went there once for a business meeting—it was pretty authentic. Want to give it a try?""Sounds g
Nyla was silent for a moment before nodding. "Alright. If you ever need Damon to help figure out Brandon's thoughts, just let me know.""I will. Don't worry about us, though. You just gave birth. Your main priority should be resting," Valarie said."Okay," Nyla replied.Valarie lingered in the bedroom for a while, but when she saw Nyla looking tired, she stood up and left.Downstairs, only Brandon was in the living room.Valarie walked over to him and asked, "Where's Damon?""He had something to take care of for work, so he went to the study. How's Aunt Nyla?" Brandon asked."She seems to be doing well, and the baby is adorable. Oh, right, I forgot to ask what the baby's name is. I only know her nickname is Bunny," Valarie said.Just thinking about Mia Sumner's cute little face made Valarie smile. She was already looking forward to the day the baby would call her godmother.A flicker of something crossed Brandon's eyes. "You really like kids, huh?""Of course! I've said befor
Once they were in the car, Nyla suddenly recalled Damon's phone call earlier. "By the way, what did Alexander want?"After a brief pause, Damon glanced at her. "He said Ms. Kinsey left you an inheritance and asked when we'd be able to go to Meristate to take care of it."Nyla pressed her lips together before replying, "Call him later and tell him to donate it or keep it for himself. I don't want it.""Alright," Damon replied.When they arrived home, Damon helped Nyla settle onto the couch, placing a pillow behind her back for support. Then, he said seriously, "Nyla, you've been through enough. Let's not have any more kids after this."During her first pregnancy with Mason, Damon hadn't been around, so he hadn't realized how difficult it was for her.Now, experiencing this pregnancy with her, every checkup and blood draw made his heart ache.Once Nyla gave birth, he planned to get a vasectomy. Two kids were enough for them.Nyla shot him a look. "This wasn't exactly planned, was
More than half an hour later, Nyla finally stirred from her nap.When she opened her eyes, she found Damon sitting by her bed, watching her. She froze for a moment, caught off guard.Rubbing her eyes, she realized he was still there and confirmed she wasn't dreaming.She slowly sat up, her voice still heavy with sleep. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be in your study working?""I missed you, so I came to see you," Damon replied.Nyla narrowed her eyes. "You definitely have something to say if you're here all of a sudden."Damon chuckled, a little helpless. "I guess I can't fool you.""Of course not. I know you too well. Ever since I got pregnant, you've never come to see me like this in the afternoon," Nyla said."Alright. Go freshen up first, and I'll wait for you downstairs," Damon suggested."Okay," Nyla replied.After washing up, she went downstairs and sat beside Damon. "Alright, tell me. What's going on? You're acting all mysterious."Damon hesitated for a moment befo