"Got it, but I need some time to process this. Please leave now."Clark frowned, noticing Nyla's indifference. "Nyla, I said I'd give you time, but can you stop pushing me away?"Frustrated by his persistence, Nyla looked him in the eye. "You say you'll give me time, but have you really? The day after I found out about your affair, you tried to force yourself on me, and today you did it again."From the start, I haven't seen any real remorse from you. You're just trying to smooth things over quickly, but I can't move on that fast. At least not right now. Do you understand?"Seeing the redness in Nyla's eyes, Clark felt a pang of guilt and regret. He reached out to hold her, but she stepped back and avoided his touch, leaving his hand suspended awkwardly in the air."Clark, in all these years of marriage, I've never wronged you. We've been together for eight years, not eight months or eight days."You betrayed me and expect me to accept it quickly. Do you think that's possible? Un
Instantly, everyone in the R&D department turned their eyes to Lucia.Genevieve had never spoken to Lucia in such a harsh tone before, leaving Lucia more surprised than embarrassed. "Genevieve... what's wrong?" Genevieve didn't respond and simply turned to walk back to her office.As Lucia felt the curious gazes of her colleagues, her face turned red with embarrassment. When her eyes met Nyla's, her anger flared even more. She was certain Nyla was waiting to see her make a fool of herself.Suppressing her rage, she bit her lip and followed Genevieve into the office.As soon as the door closed, Genevieve threw a document onto the desk in front of her. "Take a look!"Her tone was full of disappointment, and her gaze on Lucia was disapproving.Confused, Lucia picked up the document and began to browse. Her face grew paler with each page, and her hands started to shake. How could this have happened?Upon seeing Lucia's guilty expression, Genevieve's voice grew colder. "I used to t
It was clear to Lucia that Genevieve wasn’t going to let her off the hook. She took a deep breath and said slowly, "I understand. Whatever decision the company makes, I will accept it."With that, she turned and left.As soon as she exited Genevieve's office, she could no longer contain her anger. She stormed back to the R&D department.Nyla was engrossed in her work, looking through some documents, when she heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching from behind. As soon as she turned around, a slap landed hard across her face.The sharp sound of the slap silenced the entire room, drawing everyone's attention to the two women.Lucia had used all her strength, causing Nyla’s head to snap to the side. A red handprint quickly appeared on her pale cheek, and it swelled rapidly.Nyla looked up, her gaze cold as she stared at Lucia.Despite herself, Lucia felt a flicker of fear under Nyla's clear, unyielding gaze and instinctively wanted to step back. But once she remembered the
Damon gave him a cool glance. "It seems like you have a lot of free time lately.""No, no, not at all. I still have plenty of files to sort through this afternoon..." Spencer quickly ducked his head, silently vowing to rein in his curiosity next time.…After Nyla iced her cheek for about ten minutes, the burning pain subsided, so she returned to her desk.As soon as she sat down, her colleague, Sasha Yates, rolled her chair over and whispered, "Nyla, everyone is talking about what happened between you and Lucia. What happened? Why did she suddenly hit you?"Nyla didn’t want to blow things out of proportion. If she made a big deal out of it, Lucia might lose her job. Considering she had just joined the company, forcing Lucia out would make her colleagues think she was scheming, which would make her work life difficult.Besides, despite Lucia's recent data tampering, she had produced some valuable research in the past, and the company would likely handle the matter privately.Nyl
"No way! They wouldn't betray me!""If you think it's Nyla, then show me evidence. If you don't have any, keep your mouth shut. The company is already being lenient with you, so don't push your luck."Facing Genevieve's penetrating gaze, Lucia felt like all her schemes were laid bare. She lowered her head, feeling a bit guilty. "I understand. I'll go back to work now."Genevieve didn't respond and picked up a file to read.Lucia knew that Genevieve was clearly angry, so she didn't dare say more and left the office quietly.…Back in the R&D department, the first thing she did was walk over to Nyla's desk."Nyla, playing dirty tricks behind someone's back isn't a real skill. I suggest you focus on your work. After all, you've got a three-month probation period. If anything goes wrong, you won't get the permanent position. Don't you agree?"Nyla remained expressionless at Lucia's smug expression, lowering her gaze to continue reading her documents.Before Lucia could say more, t
Nyla indifferently looked away from the anger practically pouring from Clark's eyes. "No one. I tripped and fell.""You fell and managed to slap yourself on the face?"Nyla lowered her gaze and spoke softly. "This is my business. Can you just leave it alone?"Clark grabbed her hand firmly, his voice serious. "You are my wife. Someone hit my wife, and you think I can just ignore that?""I told you it's my business, and I've already handled it. Just give me the clothes."After a moment of tense silence, Clark relented, seeing Nyla wasn’t going to say more."Let me drive you home.""No need. The subway takes just ten minutes."Clark frowned at the resistance and cold distance in Nyla's eyes."Nyla, I’m not asking you to forgive me right now. But I hope you won’t reject my kindness. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what I might do."A flicker of sarcasm crossed Nyla's eyes as she caught the threat in his last words."Clark, is this what you mean by not forcing me anymore?""I just
Clark's nonchalant words made Lucia feel like she had fallen into an icy abyss. She knew all too well that he had the power to follow through, and the Pollards lacked the means to resist.She raised her hand and slapped herself hard across the face."Keep going."At first, Lucia felt the sting on her face, but after a while, her cheeks went numb, and she was simply repeating the action mechanically. She didn’t know how long it had been or how many slaps she had dealt herself.Just as Lucia felt she might pass out, Clark finally got up and walked over to her. He looked down at her as if she were an insignificant insect. "Ms. Pollard, I hope you remember this lesson. Avoid my wife in the future. Next time, I won’t be so lenient."With that, he walked past her without waiting for a reaction, followed by his bodyguards who had been there to prevent her escape.The room was soon empty except for Lucia.Her tightly wound emotions finally unraveled, and she covered her face, sobbing un
Clark sensed there was more to Cindy's words. He was about to inquire further when a maid assisted the semi-drunk Cyrus Sumner into the living room.Clark frowned upon seeing Cyrus and simply said, "Mom, I'm heading back now."With that, he turned and walked past Cyrus to leave.Cyrus frowned but said nothing.…Back at the villa, Clark called his secretary, Michael Parkin, instructing him to purchase a mansion in Jordyn's name.Michael sounded surprised. "Mr. Sumner, if Mrs. Sumner finds out...""Be discreet. Don't let anyone know, especially Nyla."If Nyla found out Jordyn was keeping the baby, she would be more determined to divorce him. Thinking about it made Clark feel troubled."Alright, I understand."Ending the call, Michael sighed softly.This was no different from pushing Nyla away. Clark's affair was already unforgivable—now, keeping a woman outside was like digging their marriage's grave.Michael knew he was just a secretary and had to do as Clark ordered.…O
Jane smiled and praised, "You're such a good boy, Wil. Come here—Mommy wants to tell you something."Hesitant but trusting, Wilhelm slowly moved closer to her.The moment he was within reach, Jane grabbed his collar, her expression dark and menacing. "When I called you earlier, why didn't you come immediately?"Terrified, Wilhelm turned pale, tears brimming in his eyes. "Mommy… I was scared…""Scared of what?" Jane demanded."Scared you'd hit me… Waaaah…" Wilhelm cried.When Wilhelm had been staying with Gabriel, he'd worried he'd never see his mother again.But now, seeing her up close, she seemed frightening—nothing like the gentle mother he used to know.Jane's patience snapped at the sound of his crying. "Shut up! If you keep crying, I'll throw you out!"Wilhelm immediately clammed up, though he couldn't stop the little hiccups that followed. His face was streaked with tears, making him look pitiful.Just then, the door to the room opened, and Wendy walked in carrying som
Embarrassment flickered across Wren's face as she muttered, "I didn't… I just didn't know the situation before, okay?""If you don't know the situation, then don't meddle," Gabriel rebuked.After a moment of silence, Wren stole a glance at Gabriel and softly said, "Gabriel, this time it's my fault. I'm sorry. But Wil absolutely cannot be sent back to Jane. Who knows how she'll treat him? She's already proven she's capable of terrible things."Just thinking about Jane intentionally causing Wilhelm's allergic reaction made Wren's skin crawl. What kind of mother could be so cruel?"I know what I'm doing. From now on, if Jane contacts you, don't respond," Gabriel instructed.Wren quickly nodded. "Okay… I understand…""If there's nothing else, you can go. I have work to do," Gabriel dismissed."Alright… I'll leave now…" Wren answered.As Wren walked out of the villa, she finally let out a sigh of relief.Just as she was about to call her driver, her phone rang.Seeing that it was
Wilhelm froze at Gabriel's stern expression, shrinking behind Wren and peeking at his father with frightened eyes.Without looking at him, Gabriel called for a maid. "Take him to the Wilkies with the driver later."The maid nodded. "Understood."Just as the maid was about to lead Wilhelm away, Wren pulled the boy behind her and snapped, "Gabriel, can't you see how scared he is?"Gabriel finally lifted his gaze to her, his tone icy. "Weren't you the one who brought him to me and insisted I let him see Jane? Now that I've agreed, what more do you want?"Wren stiffened but quickly composed herself. "I only brought him because he was crying so pitifully. That doesn't mean I want him to live with Jane again."She wasn't stupid. It was clear that Wilhelm was better off with Gabriel than with Jane.If the divorce went through, Jane would eventually remarry, and who knew how much Wilhelm would suffer in her new household?At least with Gabriel, Wren could visit Wilhelm often, and he wo
Raymond and Gabriel stayed in the study for over an hour before emerging.By then, Raymond's expression had shifted from initial unease to radiant joy, his face brimming with smiles.It seemed the fortune teller had been right—Wren was indeed his lucky star.Despite his company's brush with bankruptcy, Gabriel not only promised to inject 70,000,000 dollars into it but also agreed to partner with them on future projects.The potential profits were enough to make it impossible for Raymond to hide his grin.Seeing his cheerful demeanor, Wren let out a breath of relief.Setting Wilhelm down from her lap, she turned to Raymond and asked, "So, you reached an agreement?""Yeap. I need to get back to the office, though. I'll have the driver pick you up later," Raymond replied."Alright. Will you be home for dinner?" Wren asked."Of course! Tonight, we'll celebrate properly," Raymond promised.After Raymond left, Wilhelm tugged on Wren's sleeve. "Grandma, when are you going to talk to
"Okay," Wilhelm answered.He accepted the bowl and took a couple of sips, then looked up at Gabriel and asked, "Daddy, where's Mommy?"Upon seeing the cautious look in Wilhelm's eyes, a complex expression crossed Gabriel's face.He crouched down to the boy's level and said gently, "Wil, from now on, you'll live with Daddy. Is that okay?"Wilhelm froze, tears welling up in his eyes. "Daddy, does that mean you don't want Mommy anymore?"Jane's words echoed in his mind—that Gabriel had a bad woman outside and didn't want them anymore.Now that his father didn't want his mother, it wouldn't be long before he didn't want him either, especially if he had a child with that bad woman.Gabriel sighed and spoke softly. "Wil, this is an adult matter that you won't understand. Daddy isn't abandoning Mommy. We're just going to live separately. But no matter what, both of us love you very much.""You're lying!" Wilhelm cried, throwing the bowl to the floor, where it shattered into pieces.H
Looking at Jane's self-righteous demeanor, Gabriel remained expressionless. His gaze was indifferent, as if she were a stranger of no consequence.His lack of reaction agitated Jane even more."Gabriel, why aren't you saying anything? Why?!" she shouted.Gabriel's voice was calm. "Because I think you're pitiful.""Pitiful?!" Jane repeated, then burst into laughter. "Do you think you're any less pitiful than I am? You abandoned your wife to be with Nyla, but has she even spared you a second glance? In the end, you and I are no different—we're both pathetic losers."Gabriel showed no visible reaction but said, "Jane, I'm not like you.""What's so different about you?" Jane demanded."I can make my own choices. You can't. Take this situation, for example—I can ensure you'll never see Wilhelm again, but there's nothing you can do to stop me," Gabriel stated.Jane froze, her laughter faltering. An overwhelming sense of unease gripped her. "What are you going to do?"Gabriel waved h
Although Wilhelm wanted more, he hesitated briefly before obediently putting down his spoon."Okay, Mommy," he said.His compliance sparked a brief flicker of guilt in Jane's eyes. But the feeling vanished as quickly as it had come, replaced by a calm determination.After settling the bill, she led Wilhelm back to the car.As soon as they were on the road, Wilhelm began squirming in his seat, scratching himself furiously. His small face scrunched in discomfort as he complained, "Mommy… I don't feel good. I'm itchy all over…"Jane glanced at him and saw red spots breaking out across his skin."Hold on, Mommy's taking you to the hospital right now," she said.She sped toward the nearest hospital, reaching it in less than ten minutes.…By the time Jane pulled into the ER, Wilhelm's face was covered in hives. He was clawing at himself, leaving red marks all over his pale skin.Jane rushed to unbuckle him and carried him inside, moving quickly toward the emergency desk.A doctor
Wilhelm thought that when Gabriel was home, Jane never hit him without a reason.But ever since his father left, his mother had become unpredictable. Sometimes, even the sound of him making noise while eating would lead to punishment, forcing him to stand in the corner.He missed the mother who would kiss him and speak to him gently. He didn't want the mother who hit him for no reason."But Daddy's out there with another woman now and won't come home," he said.Although he was young, he understood a lot of adult issues.Lately, Gabriel hadn't been around. With Jane's constant hints, Wilhelm had started to believe that Gabriel had left because of a bad woman, choosing her over their family."Mommy, when I grow up, I'll protect you. I won't let any bad woman bully you!" Wilhelm vowed.Tears welled in Jane's eyes at his words, her heart filled with a mix of emotions. Yet, her moment of hesitation lasted only a second before her resolve hardened.The only way to give Wilhelm a comp
Besides, Nyla didn't even like Gabriel. It had always been him chasing her.What was Jane supposed to do—crack open his head and make him stop liking Nyla?Wren frowned, clearly irritated. "Alright, I'm not in the mood to talk about this. Go home," she said, waving Jane off.Jane protested, "Mom, we haven't even discussed how to bring Gabriel back to me and Wilhelm. I need your help.""What do you want me to do?" Wren asked."Later, call Gabriel and tell him Wilhelm has a fever and wants to see him. Get him to come home," Jane requested.Wren hesitated. Gabriel's attitude toward her had grown increasingly cold. If he found out she was conspiring with Jane to deceive him, it could further damage their relationship.Seeing her reluctance, Jane sighed. "Mom, do you really want to watch him chase after Nyla? With the way things are between you two now, do you think Nyla will treat you kindly if they end up together?""That's impossible! Nyla doesn't like him. They won't end up to