"Regardless of what's on your mind, we need to act fast now. It's a matter of life and death," said Johann as he looked at how Luca hesitated with a hint of helplessness.While she was attending to other patients, she displayed a decisive and efficient demeanor. It was as though she was one of the hospital's doctors, racing against the clock to snatch back lives from the clutches of the Grim Reaper.However, Luca became indecisive when it came to Queenie’s situation.Johann could understand, but he still felt a bit helpless. "Dr. Park, I'm concerned that Mrs. Norman might get emotional when she sees me. How about this? You get the sedative ready. If she gets agitated, give her the shot, and I'll proceed with dry needling." Luca took a deep breath. Even though using sedatives excessively was harmful to the body, it seemed like the only option now.Luca was afraid that once she stepped into the ward, Queenie's emotions might soar, causing her blood pressure to skyrocket. "Alrig
Little chat? What should they talk about?Luca's heart felt an inexplicable sorrow. Queenie seemed like she wanted to say something. She hardly needed to think deeply to know what it was.Did she have to agree with Queenie and leave Luke?She did not want to do that. Moreover, she had not forgotten Abel’s warning. She loved Luke, Queenie, and her three children, but she also loved Nyla. If she did not obey Abel's orders, not only would she suffer, but Nyla, who was on the Island of Despair, would suffer too.She could not let the child suffer more because of her.There were many psychos on the Island of Despair. She had to protect her daughter. Since she did not have the ability to save her child from the Island of Despair yet, she could only obediently follow Abel's instructions. This was the best way to protect the child.If Luca pretended to agree to Queenie to leave Luke but actually went against her word, Queenie would eventually find out. Luca understood human nature. I
Queenie’s cries came to a halt. She could not believe her ears.Did Luca just come clean?Queenie thought that she might have been mistaken, but she heard what Luca said loud and clear.After the cries had stopped, Luca suddenly looked up and noticed the shock on Queenie’s face. She was afraid that Queenie would not believe her, so she said, “I’m Bianca. If you don’t believe me, I can do a DNA test with Lanie and the kids. If you think that’ll take too long, feel free to ask me anything. I’ll be able to answer everything.”“How could you be Bea?” Queenie felt the urge to hold Luca and cry, but she had to stick to Luke’s plan. She had to pretend not to believe Luca in order to get her to talk.“Ask me anything, anything at all. I’ll answer it.” Luca’s eyes were blurred with tears as she anxiously looked at Queenie.She had never prepared any evidence to prove her identity because she never thought that she would be confessing her real identity to anyone.If it were not for Quee
Queenie did not say a word as the sight of Luca’s desperate face made her heart ache.What else could she do? After hearing how much Luca had gone through, she just wanted to hold her and feel the joy of having her daughter back by her side.However, Luca has not stated the reason.Queenie was at a loss as to what the Island of Despair had on Luca that would make her willingly work for them!Queenie added fuel to the fire by breathing harder and inserting the oxygen tubes into her nostrils before removing them after a few seconds.Luca thought that Queenie had finally believed her, but after she removed the oxygen tubes, she realized that was not the case.Then, she dropped to her knees again.Queenie’s chest tightened in pain when she saw Luca kneel on the ground.“Mom, Luke and I… have another daughter.” Luca took a deep breath as she revealed the reason why the Island of Despair still had control over her.Queenie’s eyes widened, and for a split second, she forgot that she
Queenie shook her head, pulled out a tissue, and gently wiped away the tears on Luca's face. "When I first saw the news about you and Luke, I really thought he betrayed his marriage. "I got so upset my blood pressure skyrocketed. But Luke told me about your situation that day, so my health has been good for the past few days. However, to find out more about your situation, I agreed to pretend to be unwell and stayed in the hospital."Bianca, you're too naive. You've endured so much alone without telling us. We could protect you. Why did you have to face all this on your own?" Luca sniffed. Her eyes had dried from wiping tears, and she was left with a bitter feeling in her heart."Mom, I didn't have a choice. The Island of Despair is an organization with many killers and advanced weapons. I didn't want to involve my loved ones before I had it all figured out," explained Luca. Her voice was nasal and heavy due to her crying earlier.After that, she glanced back at Luke. Even tho
"Your Aunt Wanda knows about this too. It's just that doing this means deceiving you. That’s why I stepped in and didn’t let Aunt Wanda do it." Queenie nodded. After they discussed it, they felt that Queenie’s situation here could be more critical, so they decided to let her handle this matter.Luca glanced at Queenie, then turned to look at Luke. She hardly needed to ask the question in her mind. There was no doubt that Luke planned everything.Otherwise, Queenie and Wanda would never do such a thing.Receiving Luca's gaze, Luke explained helplessly, "We wanted to know what you're going through. When would you be willing to talk if we didn't do it this way?"Luca’s eyes sparkled with a touch of shimmering light. They were right. If they had not done this, she would not have chosen to confess these things now. Guilt weighed on Luca's heart for hiding it from them for so long."Bianca, please don't blame Luke. He's the last person who’d want to lie to you. Just watching you end
"I believe you have the capability. It's just hard for me to think about the hardships you've endured." Wanda wiped away the tears that could not be held back.These tears carried not only empathy but also a sense of relief and joy. Fortunately, after everything Luca had gone through, she managed to return to their side.Even though the crisis had not been resolved yet, at least they now knew why Luca had refused to acknowledge them.Wanda believed that Luke had the ability to protect Luca. That was why she believed that once Luke figured out the situation, he could help resolve it."It's okay. It's all in the past. You must take good care of yourself. When we bring Nyla back, you'll have to help me out and teach her some handmade crafts,” said Luca with a smile on her face.Despite being a girl, Nyla, influenced by the environment of the Island of Despair, was not as soft as Rainie. She was not interested in such things.She was interested in various firearms and weapons at a
"It was the kids...?" Luca was surprised, not expecting that it was actually the kids who discovered it first."Will they be mad at me?" Luca could not help but ask. She had lied to them, after all.As an adult and their mother, she had always taught them not to lie, not to deceive, and to be honest and kind.However, she had deceived the children from the very beginning."No, don't think about that. Since finding out your true identity, they've been worried about you, especially Rainie. She’s worried that you might be facing some difficulties. She’s also afraid that you would suddenly leave again," answered Luke.Suddenly, Luca remembered the night when the rumors first came out, Rainie was very worried. She was afraid that she would not be able to see Luca the next day if she fell asleep...Her heart softened at the thought of the kids worrying about her, and it subtly ached."I think we shouldn't tell them about having another sister for now. Children shouldn't bear too much.
“That bag…” Nina pointed at the bag. “Your mom brought it over.”Percy walked over, picked up the bag, and opened it. When he saw what was inside, his brows immediately furrowed.“What’s all this?” asked Nina.Percy handed her the bag. “Just some stuff.”Curious about what it was, Nina took the bag and peeked inside. It was filled with car models and small toys.She suddenly remembered what Karen said earlier and asked hesitantly, “Are these your childhood toys?”“Yes.” Seeing these things again stirred something in Percy’s heart, but it still did not change his feelings toward Karen.Nina was surprised. She picked up a few of the items and said, “I didn’t expect these to be so well-preserved.”“I thought they would've been thrown out.” Percy still remembered these toys.Technically, they were his, but in reality, they ended up with Pierre. As the Mallory family’s heir, he was too busy to play with toys. Hence, they were his, but it never felt that way.Nina said, “Earlier, s
After signing the agreement, Karen eagerly handed it over to the man she believed to be the lawyer.The moment the doctor took the shares transfer agreement, a syringe containing anesthesia slipped from his sleeve and was swiftly injected into Karen’s hand.“You...” Karen felt a sharp sting, but before she could speak, her consciousness faded.At the same time, the knife in her hand clattered to the floor.The doctor quickly steadied her to prevent her from hitting her head when she collapsed.“Luckily, the dose was strong enough, or she wouldn’t have been knocked out so quickly.” He gently laid her down, checked to make sure she was unconscious, and then hurried out of the office to notify the hospital director.Percy quickly stepped forward, gently lifting Nina’s chin to examine her wound.“I’m fine,” Nina said in a soft voice, lowering her head to hide the injury on her neck.“Let me take a look at you,” Percy insisted, gently lifting her chin again. After checking, he added
“Mr. Mallory, won’t you feel guilty if something happens to Nina?” Sue did not understand why he refused to call the police.“It won’t happen.” Percy furrowed his brows as his mind raced to find a solution.Sue was even more confused. “Just because you say it won’t happen, does that mean it won’t? Yes, Madam Mallory is your mother, but Nina is also your wife. If your mother harms your wife, shouldn’t you call the police? Instead of doing that, you’re leaving her in this dangerous situation. I honestly feel sorry for Nina.”Sue had always been straightforward. She thought Percy would protect Nina for life, but seeing him defend Karen at the cost of his wife’s safety, she was deeply disappointed.She felt she was in no position to feel sorry for Nina, but she could not understand Percy’s actions.Percy furrowed his brows. Calling the police was not an option.The Mallory family could not afford this kind of turmoil.If Old Master Mallory found out that he handed his mother over to
Nina trembled when she was touched. Her whole body was shaking.Karen’s touch was icy cold, and when her hand fell on Nina’s face, it carried a chill.“Don’t hurt her!” Percy’s voice was hoarse, his anger barely concealed in his eyes.He was furious but kept reminding himself not to provoke Karen.“Hmph, look at how nervous you are.” Karen's patience wore thin. Without another word, she laid out her conditions. “If you want me to let her go, fine.”“What do you want me to do?” Percy knew the conditions she was about to propose would not be as simple as keeping her out of the psychiatric hospital.It could involve Pierre.Perhaps even the company.Even though Karen had spoken to him about the high hopes she had for him, Percy did not believe a word of it. To her, from beginning to end, the only person who mattered was Pierre.Percy was merely a tool to secure her position in the Mallory family.“See? You still care about this woman. You’ve disappointed me!” Karen glanced at Ni
“Mr. Mallory, I didn’t dare to go in. Nina and your mother are still inside.” After Sue realized that Nina might be in danger, she had been waiting outside, unwilling to leave.She had been planning to rush in with the other employees if she heard Nina scream.Percy's expression darkened. He did not blame Sue for the situation, so he did not say anything. Instead, he quickly walked to Nina’s office door and pushed it open.The sight before him sent a chill through his veins, as though his blood had turned to ice.“You're here?” Karen fixed her eerie gaze on the person who had opened the door. A strange, sinister smile curved at the corners of her lips. She stood behind Nina with a knife tightly gripped in her hand.The sharp blade was pressed against Nina’s neck, already leaving a faint red mark.Sue gasped at the sight and instantly lost her composure.Karen frowned in dissatisfaction, moving the knife slightly and muttering, “Why is there another woman here? Tell her to leave!
“'ll contact someone in A City to investigate,” said Gale.“Let Percy know while you're at it,” added Luke. “He needs to be aware of this.”“Got it.” Gale hurried off to handle the matter.…After taking Gale's call, Percy hung up and stared icily at the middle-aged man standing before him.Under Percy's chilling gaze, the man nervously dabbed at the sweat on his forehead with a handkerchief.“Mr. Mallory, my sincerest apologies…” The man, the director of the psychiatric hospital, had come to personally apologize to Percy today.Karen had escaped.Two days ago, Percy admitted Karen to the psychiatric hospital. After an evaluation, the doctors determined her condition warranted hospitalization, so she was admitted.Even though Karen was against it, given her mental state and with the consent of an immediate family member, the hospital was legally authorized to proceed.Percy had even informed the hospital to take special care of Karen. He had explicitly instructed them not to
When she opened her eyes again, the sky outside had already darkened slightly.Luca mumbled, feeling the warmth beside her. She instinctively curled closer. “What time is it?”“It's a little past five.” Luke gently rubbed her back, offering a quiet comfort to help her feel at ease.Since he could not be there beside her, he could only make these small gestures to bring her some peace of mind.“An entire afternoon just passed like that…” Luca was reluctant to leave at the moment. Her slender fingers lightly pressed against his chest.Luke took her hand in his, bringing it to his lips for a soft kiss, holding it as if it were something precious and tenderly stroking it.Luca's hands had once been delicate and smooth, but during their time in the small villa, they had become much rougher.“You've got calluses.” Luke felt sorry for her.Luca gently traced her finger over his lips, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on him. “It’s just from the needlework and the experiments I’ve been d
Luca walked over to another couch and sat down. “I think I’ll stay here. How about letting Luke come down so that we can all catch up? It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”Gordan’s face fell. “Ms. Craw, are you doing this on purpose?”Luca pretended not to know anything. “Doing what on purpose?”Gordan quickly shook his head. “Nothing. Just go upstairs already. Brother Luke’s been waiting for you.”Luca had intended to tease Gordan a little longer, but after not seeing Luke for the past few days, she found herself missing him deeply. Standing up with a smile, she said, “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Oh, by the way, Mr. Gale, could you help me pick up a few things? Someone over there asked me to get them, and I couldn’t refuse.”“Sure, no problem. What do you need?” Gale agreed immediately.After handing him the list, Luca turned and headed upstairs.Gale watched Luca leave from behind, nudging Gordan’s arm. “Let’s go. We should leave and give the boss and Ms. Cr
The security guard remained completely unfazed.This was because the village chief was his uncle, and in their tight-knit community, they always stuck together and never favored outsiders.With directions from the people inside the ancestral hall, Hera found the village chief.“You’re the village chief, right?” Hera looked at the man in his fifties in front of her and spoke with an arrogant tone, completely unbothered.“And you are?” The village chief, seeing her attitude, was puzzled. He had no idea whether she was an investor or someone looking to discuss a major partnership to bring development to their quiet village.“It doesn’t matter who I am. I see you have surveillance here, and I need to review your footage,” replied Hera.The village chief was even more confused. “Are you a police officer?”“No.” Hera frowned. She thought reviewing surveillance footage was no big deal. Why was this village chief being so difficult?The village chief gave her a look as if she were a fo