"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
Mr. York Carden appeared momentarily surprised, seemingly caught off-guard by Yaslyn's urgent desire to see Helen. "I've told you that your mother's mental health is fragile. I worry that a sudden meeting might upset her further," he explained, though his reasoning sounded somewhat strained.Unmoved by his reluctance, Yaslyn shot back, "I'm trained in medicine. Seeing me can only help her, not harm her. Believe me, I have no intention of causing her any distress. After all, I am a doctor."Mr. York Carden's expression darkened for a moment. He almost forgot about Yaslyn's profession. "Of course, different doctors have different approaches to treatment..." he tried to argue."Do you really think I'd harm my own mother?"Mr. York Carden was left momentarily speechless. Yaslyn spoke with a determination that allowed no rebuttal. "As you've pointed out, I'm to be married in ten days. But I have one stipulation: I want unrestricted access to my mother during this time. Otherwise, I'd ra
Memories of the time after her elopement brought a mix of fond nostalgia and sadness to Helen's eyes. "You understand, don't you?" she murmured.Yaslyn realized her mother's main aim had always been to protect her from the Carden family's persecution. Having spent enough time with Mr. York Carden, she came to understand his character well."You're naive," Helen remarked as she gazed at her daughter—who was almost her height—and sighed. "Why did you even come looking for me? You might have been married and started a family if you focused on your life."Yaslyn shook her head. "Only after finding you could I consider marrying and starting my own family.""Let's not get melancholic," Helen said, her gentle nature shining through. "Come, I'll brew some tea for you."Helen, being a cultured and refined woman, had always enjoyed the art of tea-making. She always served her guests with the best tea.Yaslyn nodded in agreement and glanced toward Josie, who was trying to fade into the back
"Yerick, I've witnessed your medical skills. While you're decent at what you do, you're still far from my level. Do you honestly believe you're the only one capable of curing her? Don't be absurd," Yaslyn said, clearly skeptical of Yerick's claims. If he was the sole healer for this ailment, would that not make all the other renowned physicians in the world pale in comparison?"Believe it or not," Yerick responded with a confident grin, "this illness is peculiar. For the time being, I'm sure I'm the only one who knows how to treat it. Why else would your grandfather specifically invite me to treat your mother?"Yaslyn hesitated, having to admit there was some logic in Yerick's words."Of course," Yerick continued, stepping closer and looking down at her with a smug smile, "whether I can cure her and how soon I do so is entirely up to me. If you cross me, I can't guarantee her safety."Unintimidated, Yaslyn retorted, hands on her hips. "If you fail to heal her, you won't just be ang
Yaslyn must be lying!"Enough of these lies!" Yerick huffed, glaring at Yaslyn. "Stop trying to trick me."Yaslyn was puzzled by Yerick's refusal to accept the truth. While she clearly rescued him and he even recognized her, he still feigned disbelief."Believe what you want," she quipped, stretching casually. "Regardless, you've come a long way from that chubby kid. You're the enigmatic and cold-hearted Yerick everyone knows now."Yerick appeared shaken. "It wasn't you who saved me. I'm sure of it!"Even though a voice inside was screaming that Yaslyn was the one, he could not bring himself to accept it. Had he really been championing Sadie's cause for all these years under a lie? The realization felt like a shattered piece within him."Oh? Were you hoping that Sadie was the one who saved you back then?" Yaslyn teased.Yerick's face turned ashen. "Enough! Just stop."As Yaslyn pressed further, Yerick shook his head, turning away abruptly to leave.Watching his departing silho
As the room's door slammed shut behind her, Yaslyn found herself thrust into a makeshift oath ceremony with Sheldon. After the hasty, forced event, she was roughly escorted to a bedroom. A few muscular maids, before slipping out, warned her to sit still and cause no ruckus.Yaslyn rolled her eyes exasperatedly and muttered, "Wade and Quinn are both useless." She ripped off an elaborate headpiece and tossed it to the floor as if it were a rag.Though she was angry, her focus remained fixated on a large crimson door nearby. Should Sheldon dare step through that entrance, she would be ready. The dagger she held would find its mark. How dare he exploit her in her moment of vulnerability?As she plotted Sheldon's gruesome end, the door creaked open. Hiding her backup blade behind her, she tightened her grip and gazed at the door. The face that appeared was not the one she expected.Yerick?!"Why are you here?" Yaslyn asked, relief evident in her voice as she stood up. The knife she hel
Yaslyn's eyes narrowed as she evaluated the strength of the towering figure before her. Exhausted from the day's events and weakened by hunger, she felt a rising pang of despair."Just take me," she murmured, surprising her kidnapper."Wasn't that the plan?"He was clearly puzzled by Yaslyn's sudden submission."Well, what are you waiting for?" she responded with a touch of impatience.He scratched his head. "Shouldn't you be putting up a fight, demanding to know who I am and why I'm here?"Yaslyn rolled her eyes. "Why should I resist? You're here to take me, not kill me. We can chat along the way. Let's go before the Chapman family arrives, or neither of us will get out."An awkward silence enveloped them, broken only when Yaslyn reluctantly suggested, "You lead, and I'll follow."Nodding, the large man took the lead. They quickly boarded a nearby van and sped away. Yaslyn's ring flashed briefly before dimming again.…It was a special day for Sheldon—his long-awaited weddin
Yaslyn followed Yerick into the villa complex. As soon as they stepped through the front gate, a shrill voice greeted them."Yerick? Why have you brought Yaslyn here?!"Yerick responded with a faint smile, carefully concealing the disappointment in his eyes. "Isn't it obvious? I've brought her here."Hearing the implication of a kidnapping, Sadie's voice steadied slightly, though her dissatisfaction was palpable. Her gaze landed on Yaslyn, and she remarked sharply, "Didn't you say she was to be tied up?"With a smirk, Yaslyn retorted, "So you'd be happier if I was bound hand and foot?"Sadie, clearly frustrated by Yaslyn's brazen demeanor, snapped, "Hey, you're a captive. What's there to be so proud of?""But Yerick treats me so well, though," Yaslyn prodded, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Has your admirer also lost interest in you?"Yerick grinned with gritted teeth. "You sure do have a way with words, Yaslyn." However, there was not the usual malice in his voice.Sadie, se
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