Even the typically composed Zion struggled to mask his disappointment. "But you're my child. Shouldn't you carry my name?"The thought of his son bearing a different last name weighed heavily on him, and he hoped Sheldon might consider changing it in the future."The Warrens raised me, and I owe them greatly. I won't abandon their name so readily." Sheldon's gaze was steadfast, but there was a hint of remorse in his eyes.Yaslyn exhaled deeply, empathizing with his sentiments. She herself had been reluctant to reconnect with the Carden family due to similar reasons. "He's demonstrating loyalty, Godfather. It proves he's a decent young man, filled with gratitude."Zion's expression shifted from anger to resignation. "Fine. If you're set on this, I won't intervene."He took solace in the fact that he still had Xylon, ensuring the continuation of the Chapman name. "However, you'll officially be reintegrated into the Chapman family. I'm planning to host a banquet in Jefferson City in
The atmosphere grew tense as Yaslyn walked past Xoan, but she was stopped by a distinctly smooth voice."Yaslyn, would you care to join us?" offered Sadie, her eyes shimmering with insincere warmth. She acted as though there had never been any discord between them.Yaslyn shot her a sharp look. "We haven't resolved our previous issues, Sadie. It is wise not to test my patience now."Sporting a naive facade, Sadie responded, "I know I've made mistakes before, but I truly want to make amends. Why won't you—"Appearing hurt, Sadie added, "I know I was wrong in the past, but I genuinely want to make amends. Why are you..."Xoan would have joined the conversation and defended Sadie. Instead, he remained eerily silent and only watched on."Yaslyn, I genuinely want to make amends," Sadie pleaded, turning her doe eyes toward Xoan, seeking his validation.However, Xoan's only response was apathy. No confirmation. No denial."That's enough," Yaslyn snapped, her anger boiling over at Sadi
Yaslyn turned pale as though she was hit with a harsh shock.Seeing her vulnerable state, Sadie maliciously intensified the sting. She wrapped her arms around Xoan's neck and whimpered, "Xoan... I'm so afraid..."Xoan did not reject Sadie, but his gaze remained unflinchingly on Yaslyn who seemed visibly shattered. For some reason, seeing another man embrace Yaslyn so intimately made Xoan deeply uneasy. It was perplexing. If he truly had no feelings, why did he feel so conflicted?Before he could reflect on his emotions, Sadie's restless movements drew his attention. He whispered something to her, something that Yaslyn could not catch. However, despite her vision blurred by her tears, she could see a gentle softness in Xoan's actions.The painful truth settled in—Xoan no longer loved her. The depth of that pain was indescribable. The mere possibility that he might harbor feelings for someone else rendered Yaslyn utterly defeated.Yaslyn took a moment, inhaling deeply to steady hers
Soon after landing in the capital, a discreetly colored Maybach came to greet them. Its unassuming color was reminiscent of Quinn's demeanor.Yaslyn could not help but raise an eyebrow at the suited driver. "Quinn, I thought you were abroad. How did you manage the affairs of the Zachrich family from there?"He rolled his eyes. "And how did Lukesh thrive with you idling away every day?"Yaslyn paused, realizing Quinn had a point.As her thoughts wandered, they arrived at the Zachrich family mansion. Although the exterior appeared a tad old-fashioned, reflecting architectural tastes from years past, it was evident the place had history.Upon their arrival, a butler greeted them. "Welcome home, Mr. Zachrich."The butler looked stern but had a glint of calculation in his clear, aged eyes. Yaslyn found it impressive how he recognized her identity immediately. After offering a polite nod, she said, "Yes, I am Yaslyn.""It's an honor to finally meet a member of the Carden family," the
To the untrained eye, the vibrant display might seem purely ornamental. For someone like Yaslyn who was deeply versed in medicinal herbs, it was clear that these plants were meticulously selected for their dual purpose: therapeutic value and disguise.Bending down, Yaslyn picked a white flower and brought it close to her nose. A mild herbal scent wafted through the air. "This has to be Firethorn, known for treating cardiopulmonary issues."Quinn raised an eyebrow. "Sherman truly taught you a lot, didn't he?""Enough of that. Let's go inside. After a full round of the area, this seems the most suspicious spot."Quinn nodded. "Let's go."With great caution, the pair stealthily climbed the walls to access the inner courtyard, staying close to the walls to evade hidden traps. However, shortly after, Quinn let out a sharp hiss of pain.A vividly colored snake retreated, leaving behind unmistakable bite marks on his leg.Instinctively, Yaslyn swatted the snake away. Noticing the alarm
Yaslyn and Quinn reunited outside the Carden manor, sharing a look of triumph.Yaslyn impishly plucked a stray weed from Quinn's hair as she stifled her giggles. "Did you have to sneak out through a hole in the ground?"Exasperated, Quinn retorted, "They were watching my every move up there! Climbing over the wall wasn’t an option."As they reached their car, a question burned in Yaslyn's mind. "How did you figure out she wasn't living there alone?"Quinn, revving the engine, shot her a smug grin. "It was obvious. Did you see how well-fitted and clean her clothes were? It's obvious someone is taking care of her.""Impressive observation, especially for a brute like you."Quinn rolled his eyes. "If everyone were as oblivious as you, when would we ever find Mrs. Carden?""Okay, quit it," Yaslyn shot back, giving him a sharp look.However, deep down, Quinn held Yaslyn in high regard. After all, Yaslyn was a top-tier hacker. If she was not meticulous, no one in the world was. Howev
Xoan had always been a very rational man.Sadie, striving to calm the storm inside her, looked at him tearfully. "I'll make you fall for me again!" With that declaration, she suppressed her rising jealousy and ran away, leaving Xoan behind.A glimmer of light flashed in Xoan's eyes, but his mind was not on Sadie's words. Instead, he pondered on a familiar yet distant figure.What was Yaslyn doing in the capital? With that man by her side, what might they be up to? A wave of discomfort washed over him.Picking up his phone, Xoan said, "Book me a ticket to the capital for today."…As night came, Yaslyn was preparing to infiltrate the Carden family estate once again. As expected, Quinn was there to accompany her.As they stood atop the wall, peering at the estate's interior, something clicked."Doesn't it seem like the security measures tonight are different from before?"Yaslyn quipped, "Obviously! After the ruckus we caused last night, if the Carden family didn't upgrade their
"I'm not sure of the reason, but I'm fairly certain she's the one who snitched," Quinn commented.Yaslyn felt conflicted by this. "She didn't seem that bad. How could she do something like this?""People are unpredictable. Haven't you learned that by now?" Quinn responded.He shifted on his bed and looked up at the intricately carved ceiling, deep in thought. "In the next few days, I'll work on finding a weak spot where they're short on guards. Then, I'll take you out.""Don't be ridiculous. Even if you manage to escape, I can't. Mr. York Carden would never let me leave," Yaslyn retorted.She believed her room was so heavily guarded these days that not even a fly escaped."Do you know who Mr. York Carden plans to marry you off to? Why does he despise Xoan so much?"Quinn was equally puzzled. The Warren family, after all, were prominent in Jefferson City. They might fall slightly behind the Carden family, but Xoan was a business prodigy. In just two years, he propelled Warren Gro
Whitey glanced back and forth between them, shaking her head. "You two are a mystery."Suddenly, Doniel stood and waved Whitey over. "Hey, Whitey. Come here for a second."Confused but compliant, Whitey walked over.In a swift move, Doniel took her hand. With a smug look at Matheo, he announced, "I'm taking Whitey off your hands for a bit."Matheo's expression turned steely. "What's your game?""Don't sweat it, she'll be back soon."With that, Doniel led Whitey out.They reached a more secluded spot before Doniel finally released her hand. "Whitey, you're not hurt, right?"Whitey shook her head, twirling in front of him to prove her point. "See? I'm totally fine."Doniel reached out and gently tapped her forehead. "Someone hit you, didn't they? Your face is still swollen, and here you are, telling me it's nothing."Whitey playfully stuck out her tongue. "I just didn't want you to worry. Besides, I'm not the one who got seriously hurt. It was Matheo.""I know. Matheo really d
"Don't make that call!" Whitey screamed in a panic.A harsh slap struck her face as the ringleader yelled, "Shut it, woman! Who said you could talk?"The man, not satisfied after hitting her, gave in to his fury and kicked her. However, before he knew it, Matheo, who was standing nearby, had silently moved behind him. Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed as Matheo snapped the man's fingers with raw force.Matheo wrapped his arms around Whitey and quickly retreated."I can't take it! I'm done. I don't want anything else. Just do it!"The ringleader was seething with rage, the throbbing in his fingers ruining his will to fight Matheo.A few thugs had been itching for a reason to go after Matheo, and they wasted no time grabbing their weapons and launching an assault.Matheo fought back while dragging Whitey out of harm's way, but as the fight dragged on, he started losing ground.A vicious knife cut to Matheo's leg sent him tumbling down with a grunt."Matheo!"Whitey crouched beside
Whitey shook her head. She did not have a clue, and even if she could guess, she did not know what to do about it."I was actually about to..."Before Matheo could finish, a deafening crash rang out.Startled, Whitey clapped her hands over her ears. Matheo wrapped her in his arms and glanced at the rear window.A random stone had shattered the car's back glass, leaving a gaping hole.The chaos erupted out of nowhere, catching both of them off guard. They had been deep in conversation when suddenly, a line of cars barricaded the road, trapping them.Matheo gently patted her head, a silent plea for calm.Whitey, frantic, nodded and fumbled for her phone, only to find it had mysteriously powered down."Stay put in the car and don't worry," Matheo said, handing her his phone."If things go south, call the cops, call anyone."He was ready to step out and face the unknown threat head-on.Whitey protested. "Matheo, we don't know what we're dealing with. Don't just rush out there."
Whitey was back to her usual routine—classes by day, radio station by night. However, she had a luxury she did not have previously. A private car service, ensuring her safety was never in question.Doniel's lips were sealed, not breathing a word of her injury to anyone. Except for Matheo, who had somehow stumbled upon the secret.That night, after her radio gig, Whitey stepped out expecting to see the familiar pink sports car tucked away in its usual spot. However, it was nowhere in sight.Moreover, he had not even bothered to call her. A knot of worry formed in her stomach. Did something happen to him?Whitey had called his number three, maybe four times, but got nothing.As she was wrestling with her thoughts, a familiar yet unsettling figure approached her.Matheo.Why was he there?Nobody knew about Whitey's job at the radio station except Doniel."Doniel's tied up today, so I'm your ride," Matheo said.Alarm bells rang in Whitey's head. How did Matheo know about Doniel
The nurse nodded, gesturing for Doniel to give them some space.Once the bandaging was complete, Doniel returned with a treat—Whitey's beloved chocolate cupcakes."For you. Why didn't you say it hurt? He was so rough, and yet you asked me not to hold it against him."Whitey, her mouth full of frosting, mumbled a reply. "It's not that bad. Besides, you two are usually on good terms. Why fight over pointless things because of me?"Doniel tapped her head gently. "You're such a goof. What are you even talking about? Meaningless things?""I just thought that you two grew up together, so it'd be a shame to fall out over something so small, right?"Doniel huffed, "I never really cared for him, you know.""Okay, let's figure out a plan B. This mess means I might be stuck in the hospital longer, so I'm counting on you to smooth things over back home."Doniel looked at her with a teasing grin. "Relax, I've got this."Somehow, Whitey could always pick up a strange vibe from his smile, an
Whitey was injured, and Doniel rushed her to the hospital that very night. It was just a slash on her arm, but Doniel was beside himself with worry.Watching Whitey grit her teeth through the stitching, Doniel's face turned a shade of stormy gray. "I'll track down that driver's family if it's the last thing I do!"Whitey winced in pain, but seeing Doniel's fury, she tried to soothe him. "Really, it's not so bad."Doniel looked at her bandaged arm. "Thirteen stitches, Whitey. If you're not in pain, I'm in pain for both of us."Whitey was always the center of attention—a princess who was doted on from the day she was born. She had never experienced an injury as severe as that. As Doniel reached for his phone to call Whitey's parents, she quickly stopped him with a hand gesture, wincing as she accidentally grazed her wound, "Please don't call them. They'll just scold me again if they find out.""I told you to let me drive you home. Now, look at what happened because you didn't li
Whitey gripped the edge of her skirt, a new kind of worry blooming in her chest.'What if Matheo was…'She shuddered at the thought, her mind a garden where fears grew into giant oaks, so tall and dark that they scared her.Looking up again, Whitey's eyes widened as she noticed the taxi had taken a wrong turn, heading into unfamiliar territory.In the rearview mirror, she caught a glimpse of the driver's unsettling smirk.Taking a cab late at night was proving to be a bad idea, her heart racing with fear. If only she had accepted a ride from Doniel, none of that would happen. Regret washed over her as she scrambled for her phone, desperate to call for help.Sensing her panic, the driver floored it to a secluded spot and then abruptly stopped the car.Whitey's head snapped forward, hitting the seat, and as the world spun, her phone slipped from her grasp. Then, the driver was toying with her phone, his grin wide and wicked."Planning to call the cops or a friend, sweetheart?""
As time swiftly marched on, three years went by.Whitey nailed her entrance exam into the top university in Jefferson City—Jefferson City University.As for the others, Caleb turned 30, tied the knot, had kids, and took control of Sheldon's international ventures. He and his family packed up and moved overseas, while the rest stayed back."Thanks for tuning into 'Moonlit Wishes,' your go-to spot for all things heartfelt. I'm your host, Macie."At the stroke of ten, Macie's soothing voice filled the evening airwaves."Let's hear from our first caller tonight. Hey there, sir, what's on your mind?"Macie's voice was soothing, soft yet strong enough to coax secrets from the most guarded of hearts."Here's the thing, Macie. I've been head over heels for this girl, but she's always kept me at arm's length, saying I haven't done enough. However, today, I caught her in another guy's arms. What gives?"The man's voice quivered with barely concealed tears, slurred slightly by alcohol.M
"So, just because you're into him, you decide to set me up? How does that make any sense?"Whitey could not help but find her logic almost laughable."Because I noticed he always had a soft spot for you, jealousy clouded my judgment, and that's why I..."Jade inhaled deeply, as if bracing herself for what was to come. "Well, you've uncovered the truth, so there's no point in hiding anything. Punish me however you see fit."What was the point in pleading guilty then?Jade stood there, a mix of defiance and dignity, stubborn even in the face of her mistake.Whitey was not looking to lay blame. "I'm not going to take this to the principal, and I won't breathe a word of it to anyone else. However, as of today, our friendship is done. I'll find a new place to sit when we get back."Whitey let out a tired sigh. "There's something else you should know. He's got a girlfriend now."Jade's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, are you two an item now?""No, I'm not the one he's dating."Wi