"As long as you're willing to let me and Noah go and let bygones be bygones."Xavier tightened his grip around her a little. "No way." He thought Yvette had been right before. There was no way they could be friends when they had been husband and wife. If she was going to leave, he would have to die first!The light in Yvette's eyes dimmed, and she smiled bitterly. "If I had known that you're someone who holds grudges, I would've asked to call off the marriage beforehand."It was another regret of hers! Xavier remembered her saying how she regretted marrying him, and his face turned colder. He stopped talking to her, and it got quiet in the car as they drove in the dark.Yvette was slightly drunk, and her face was red. He thought she had caught a cold from him, and he reached out to place his hand on her forehead. However, before he even touched her, she instinctively avoided him.His hand was left hanging in mid-air. Then, he tried touching her again, this time without both
Xavier felt like something was stuck in his throat. He had never cared about the money or projects. He just didn't like being lied to! Whether it was in the business field or anywhere else, that had been the first and only time he had been tricked in public. Seeing how Xavier wasn't answering her, Yvette didn't know how she could help him find closure. "Other than that, I really have no idea how I can help you let go of the past."When Xavier noticed that she had finally stopped talking, he turned his head to look at her petite figure. "It has been at least eight years since our families' agreement. Many things have changed in that time, including the projects and the amount of money. How do you plan on returning all of it?""State your price, and I'll think of a way to pay you back," she quickly said.His dark eyes lit up a little. "Sure. Once you've paid me back fully, I'll let you go."Since she had asked him to state his price, he decided to state one that she could never
After half an hour, Yvette returned to her room to get some rest. Meanwhile, Xavier was still in his study. When Kiki called Yvette, she was shocked to hear that the latter had to pay him 7.9 billion dollars."How could you possibly pay him that much money? Besides, your brother and mother were the ones who snatched the money away. So, why should you be the one to pay him back?"Yvette sat on the balcony and enjoyed the breeze as it helped her sober up. "I've talked to him a lot today. He has never agreed to let bygones be bygones before. Now, he has promised to forget about the marriage fraud if I can pay him back…"Kiki couldn't help feeling something was weird. "Yvvy, why do I have the feeling that he's taking advantage of you?""He's the CEO of Lane Group. It's not like he needs 7.9 billion dollars. You might not know this, but I've looked into his company online before. "Currently, they're earning at least 60 billion dollars annually by collecting rent. That's excluding th
Yvette hadn't expected Xavier to be so straightforward. She thought about how he had stopped what they had been doing halfway when she had made the first move. At that moment, she wasn't as impulsive as she had been before. "I don't think that's appropriate."He got close to her. "We're still husband and wife, so why isn't it appropriate?"As he spoke, he untied his robe. She couldn't help but turn her head away to avoid looking at him. Xavier noticed how embarrassed she was, and he gulped slightly. "Don't worry. I'm not going to touch you."She was stunned as reality hit her as she had expected. "If you like sleeping here, I'll sleep in the guest room." Then, she turned around to leave. Since she couldn't have what she wanted, there was no need for her to stay there.However, Xavier grabbed her wrist and pulled it forcefully. Her body leaned forward and heavily fell into his embrace. Just as Yvette was about to get up, he held her tightly in his arms."Don't move. You'll co
Noah came outside and stood on the balcony. From what he could see, there were endless mountains and trees surrounding the manor. He frowned. "He's not keeping a kid captive. He's keeping a criminal in prison!"After standing on the balcony for a short while, Noah started feeling weak. He endured the feeling and started exploring other areas. He had been trying to find a way out while he had been locked up there.However, the security was too tight. Even if he managed to sneak past the guards, he wouldn't be able to run a mile before his weak body collapsed. He might even lose his life.After he took a good look around the area, Wendy finally realized that he was gone, and she immediately panicked. "Noah? Where are you, Noah?"If something were to happen to him, she figured Xavier would skin her alive. As she thought of that, she trembled in fear.Just then, Noah entered the room with a glass of water. "Are you tired, Ms. Wendy? Have some water."When Wendy saw him, she let out
Xavier gulped when he heard Yvette mention a contract. He thought it was unnecessary to have something like that between them. Since he was worried she would leave, he unwillingly said, "In that case, prepare it first." If he wasn't fine with the conditions, he wouldn't accept them.After Xavier got changed, he got into his car and went to Fortian Manor. Upon his arrival, he saw Noah lying in bed with tears all over his face."You're finally here to see me, mister. Did you tell Daddy how you've snatched me away?"Since he had kidnapped Noah, there was no way he would talk to Claude. He raised an eyebrow and said, "He found out about it a long time ago."Noah's nose turned red as his dark eyes teared up again. "In that case, why hasn't he come to take me home? I miss home. I miss my daddy…"Xavier brought him some tissues. "Stop thinking about him. He doesn't want you anymore."Noah was speechless when he heard that and thought it was nonsense. There was no way Claude wouldn't w
Xavier's face turned extremely gloomy, and he let go of Noah right away. He thought Noah was too timid."Please don't punish me, mister… I didn't do it on purpose. I was scared…"When the nannies outside heard Noah crying in the room, they thought Xavier was doing something evil to him. Wendy, who had been taking care of Noah, risked her job and opened the door right away. "Mr. Lane, he's still a kid. You can't hit him."When she entered the room, she noticed that Xavier's white shirt had a yellow stain. She immediately realized what was going on, and she looked away in embarrassment.Noah was still pushing Xavier as he cried. "Are you mad, mister? Why aren't you saying anything? When are you going to let me see my mommy?"Xavier looked upset as he placed Noah back on the bed and quickly went to the bathroom. Then, he showered over and over again.Whenever he thought about how mischievous Noah was, he wanted to punish the kid badly. Xavier couldn't understand how a woman as gen
"Oh, you're back?" Yvette closed the piano and stood up.Xavier leaned his tall body against the door frame. "Why did you stop playing?"In the past, he had been so busy with work that he hadn't known that she could play that well. He had only heard her play once when Terrence asked for their help before.Back then, Terrence had pissed Xavier off. Xavier remembered how he vented his anger out on Yvette and scolded her. After that, she had stopped going to the music room, let alone playing the piano. He hadn't thought it had been a big deal when it had happened."I don't want to annoy you." After she said that, she added, "I've prepared the contract. Shall we take a look at it?"Xavier had almost forgotten about the contract after he had gone out. "Sure."As they walked side by side, he couldn't help but say, "You're great at playing the piano. What was the piece called? Why haven't I heard it before?"Yvette was stunned when she heard what he had said. "Have you not heard of i
When Yvette heard what Jeremiah said, she shook her head, saying, "I always thought he didn't love me, but it was only after he repeatedly put himself in danger to save me that I realized he had feelings for me."I originally planned to stay with him just because of the kids, but somehow, over time, I started to like him a little."As Jeremiah listened, his gentle eyes held indecipherable emotions in them.What Yvette was talking about could be summed up in a few words—she developed feelings over time.He suddenly started coughing heavily."Are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?" Yvette asked.Jeremiah waved his hand. Once his coughing had eased a bit, he picked up his flask and took a sip of warm water. "It's nothing, just an old issue," he said.As he spoke, the driver drove into the estate.This area was quite remote, with people stationed all around. If there was any sign of activity or disturbance, Jeremiah would know about it immediately."This is it. Let's go,
"Understood. I'll go over right now," Yvette replied.After Yvette followed Jackie upstairs, Marlene scoffed. "How shameless. Has she forgotten that Jeremiah is Xavier's brother?"Jeana also came over to snoop around."Marlene, why bother getting upset over someone like her? She's long lost all sense of shame."Marlene was in a great mood after hearing someone else criticize Yvette alongside her."Jeana, don't worry. In a few days, I'll speak well of you in front of Grandpa. Since Xavier is divorced, he needs a woman by his side to take charge."Jeana looked gratefully at her, "Thank you, Marlene."Right now, Jeana felt especially grateful, but she didn't realize that soon, she would deeply regret it.…Meanwhile, Yvette arrived at the CEO's office on the top floor. After knocking and receiving permission, Yvette entered the office.Jeremiah was sitting in front of his computer, deeply engrossed in his work. When he heard her enter, he looked up at her.Yvette dressed simply
After Xavier was taken away, Tristan and Mark frantically searched everywhere but couldn't find Jeremiah, that lunatic.The main problem was that they were both seriously injured and could only rely on their subordinates to find help."If something happens to Xav, I will never forgive myself." Tristan felt especially guilty, wondering why he hadn't been more cautious.He had been too arrogant.Mark, being a bit more rational than him, said, "Mr. Shaw, since we haven't heard any bad news about Mr. Lane, I assume everything is fine with him.""What do you mean?" Tristan asked."If I were Jeremiah and wanted to frame us for Mr. Lane's death, I definitely wouldn't drag it out," Mark replied.Both of them were currently in a lot of pain, and even simple conversations were very difficult for them.So, after talking for a bit, they took another break.Unfortunately, Mark's phone kept persistently ringing. He saw that Lillian was calling, but he didn't dare answer. He was worried that
Jeremiah gradually tightened his grip. Once Xavier died, he could claim that Tristan and Mark were responsible for secretly harming Xavier.No one knew what kind of surgery they had performed on Xavier, only that it ultimately led to his death."Xavier, don't blame me. If you want to blame anyone, blame yourself. You just had to fight with me over everything," Jeremiah said as he covered Xavier's mouth and nose. "When I met Yvvy, I thought I finally had something you didn't, but even she was taken away by you."It's bad enough you took her from me, but you won't even let me move on! Do you have any idea how much it hurts to see you two together every day, especially knowing she's pregnant with your children?"Jeremiah's eyes were slightly reddened."Now, it's all good. With you gone from this world, I'll take good care of Yvette for you."He seemed to have deliberately emphasized the word "Yvette". He didn't know if Xavier was aware of it, but it just felt incredibly satisfying!
Yvette saw that the call was disconnected and decided not to worry about Xavier anymore.…On the other end, Mark stood outside the ICU ward. Up until now, Xavier still hadn't woken up.Tristan came over and checked all the indicators. "There's nothing wrong, so why hasn't he woken up yet?""Mr. Shaw, do you think Mr. Lane might never wake up?" There was a look of concern in Mark's eyes as he asked that. He couldn't believe that the person he had always followed would leave in such a way."Don't overthink it," Tristan said, giving him a pat on the shoulder.Suddenly, there was a noise from the outside."Who are you? This is a private hospital. No one else is allowed to be here.""How can you resort to violence?"There was the sound of things clattering, followed by the cries of pain from those in a fight.Tristan frowned. "Who is it? Do they have a death wish?"Mark was also in disbelief. Shortly afterward, they finally saw clearly who was approaching them.Jeremiah was s
Over at Snyder Residence, Yvette was woken up early by Kiki, who also informed her that there were negative rumors about Zoey circulating online."Yvvy, see, I told you that the media wouldn't easily let Zoey off the hook."Yvette read through them again.However, these news stories disappeared not long after they were published.While eating breakfast, Kiki frowned and said, "The speed at which trending articles change is just too fast.""That's the benefit of having money," Yvette said.Even the children knew about the trending articles being removed.Zachary had originally wanted to hack in further to make Zoey's news trend more frequently. Unfortunately, it seems they had figured out about the hacking attempts, so they fortified their firewall and posted someone to monitor the situation.If he hacked in again, there was a chance he might expose himself.Zachary decided to back off and settled for teaching Zoey a small lesson.…Yara was to be laid to rest today.Yvette
"We've found her, and we're currently figuring out how to obtain her biological sample," Elijah replied.Zoey was really anxious. She said, "Great. Once you've got it, come back as soon as you can.""Okay."Zoey hung up the phone and laid down to rest, but she just couldn't fall asleep.If Xandra really was Gemma's daughter, given Gemma's doting and overprotective nature, she would want to give half of everything she owned to Xandra.No, it wasn't just half. By then, Zoey might end up with nothing, and everything would go to Xandra.Zoey had a rough night and didn't sleep well, but fortunately, Elijah sent a message saying everything had been arranged. They were coming back today, so they could move forward with the examination earlier than planned.Just as things got settled over at Zoey's, online articles started trending elsewhere."Zoey Yandell is suspected to be the biological daughter of Yara Cadwell.""Zoey Yandell is unwilling to acknowledge her biological mother in or
"Fine, then. What a pity," Kiki said as she put down her phone.Yvette reassured her, saying, "There's nothing to feel bad about. What happened today was a warning to Zoey that I'm not someone to be messed with."Kiki nodded, saying, "Yes."They all understood that as long as Zoey was the Zelnik family's daughter, she would always have someone to protect her.Kiki said, "Gemma treats her adopted daughter so well. If she had her own kids, they'd definitely be happy too.""Yes, indeed."Yvette admired Zoey for having such a supportive mother who stood by her no matter what happened.Kiki asked, "Yvvy, have you ever thought about finding your biological mother?"She suddenly realized that many parents who abandoned their children might have done so because they had no other choice, or perhaps they did so for other reasons.Yvette shook her head. "I don't want to be disappointed again."Parents who could abandon their daughter at the orphanage probably didn't love her very much.
Kiki nodded and said, "Yes, it's them. They're incredibly arrogant. Just thinking about it still makes me really angry."Yvette picked up her phone and made a call. A bodyguard that was stationed nearby answered her.Kiki overheard her telling the person on the phone to isolate a few of them and beat them up."What do you mean?"Kiki still didn't understand what was happening.The driver started the car and drove them to a secluded location.Kiki then realized that all the people who had previously pushed her were now being cornered and beaten up."Yvvy, this is...""I can tolerate it if they bully me, but I can't stand it when they bully you," Yvette said, enunciating each word clearly.Kiki felt moved. She hugged Yvette tightly, saying, "Yvvy, you're amazing! My true love!"Yvette couldn't help but laugh. "Dummy. You're my best friend. You stood by me, so of course, I'll stand by you."She was no longer the person she once was, with nothing to her name. Yvette now had weal