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Chapter 29
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2024-12-23 19:19:24Related chapters
Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 30
Ethan shook his head. "The police came to get my statement, and I told them about Peter. They tried looking into it, but they couldn't find any proof of him hiring those men to abduct you."Ethan also secretly sent his men to try and track down the whereabouts of Claudia's and Isabel's hair samples. Yet, he couldn't even find a trace of where they were.Claudia's heart dropped. She was annoyed by how good Peter was at this."There's something I've been curious about for quite some time." Ethan paused briefly and carefully chose his words. He met Claudia's eyes. "Why is your family name Lowell?"The Lowells were a family of five. Yet, three different last names were used among their family members. It was one of the topics people in high society enjoyed discussing.In their social circle, it was widely known that Lorraine's mother and Claudia's maternal grandmother had Lowell as her last name. Back then, Claudia's maternal grandfather joined the Lowell family as a matrilocal son-in
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 1
"The patient is bleeding out! She needs a C-section, stat!""Get her family! We need them to sign the consent form!""Her family isn't here, and we can't get through to them!"The coppery tang of blood filled the air of the VIP delivery room of City Hospital, Briarwood. Doctors and nurses rushed in and out of the doors while Claudia Lowell lay in bed with her legs on stirrups. Blood and other fluids had seeped into the sheets beneath her while the nurses' frantic voices rang out around her."Ms. Lowell, stay with us! Where's your husband? We need him to sign off on the C-section. How can we reach him?""You're losing too much blood, Ms. Lowell! Your blood type is rare. At this rate, the baby will suffocate in the womb, and your life will be in danger too!"Claudia's hair was plastered to her forehead with sweat, making her face look paler. She vaguely recalled that today was Emilia Lowell's birthday. Her family, including her husband and five-year-old son, were probably over at
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 2
Claudia was tired. She couldn't set her pride aside to plead or bargain with Shawn anymore. She loved him for five years and cherished her parents all her life, but in the end, all they ever cared about was Emilia.The warmth and love they showered Emilia with during the video call was a punch to Claudia's gut. They as good as stabbed her in the heart, and their scathing remarks ringing out from the other line didn't help.Emilia interjected anxiously and apologetically, "I'm sorry, Claudia! I didn't know you were delivering the baby tonight. I'll stop the party and tell Shawn and the others to head to the hospital now! Please don't blame Shawn. Don't divorce him because of me!"Samson was having fun when he heard this and threw a fit. "We're not going anywhere! Come on, Aunt Emmy, it's time to cut the cake! Ignore my mom. She's always trying to get Dad's attention by pulling tricks like that. Don't fall for her act. She won't divorce Dad."Lorraine was indifferent as usual. "That'
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 3
Claudia was pleased with Ethan.It had been a year since she left the Faulkner family and Briarwood and moved back to Glenhallow with her daughter, Isabel Jefferson.However, she didn't stay idle. She went on countless blind dates to find the perfect father figure for Isabel. She even went on a few dates with some of the men, but none of them met her expectations.Nonetheless, Claudia was open to trying things out with a different type of man—specifically Ethan.Now that they reached a deal, Claudia generously transferred ten thousand dollars into his account. "Consider this the initial payment as a show of good faith. You can drive, right? Your job starts tonight; drop me home and meet my daughter."With that, she grabbed her purse and made to leave.Ethan took the car keys without prompting and chivalrously offered Claudia his arm. She took it and allowed him to lead her out of the lounge.When the elevator doors opened, Claudia was surprised to see the father-and-son duo on t
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 4
Shawn thundered, "Claudia!"He wanted to go after the heartless woman and drag her back for a full-blown confrontation, but Samson looked like he was fighting death itself. Shawn's jaw clenched. Not wasting a second longer, he scooped Samson into his arms and hurried toward the black Porsche parked at the entrance."Get us to the nearest hospital now!" he urged.Lucas bolted for the driver's seat while shouting after Claudia, "Mrs. Faulkner! Mr. Samson is convulsing from his fever! Won't you at least look at him? You can't just abandon him like this!"Claudia's flashy sports car was parked beside Shawn's. Her back stiffened when she heard Lucas' desperate plea, but instead of looking out the window, she rolled it up to keep out the noise."Just ignore them and drive, Ethan," she said lightly.Lucas stomped his foot in frustration as Claudia's red sports car whooshed past him and into the distance, but he couldn't afford to dawdle any longer.Shawn was fuming in the backseat of
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 5
When Claudia closed her eyes, all she saw was Samson's pinched, pale little face as he convulsed from his high fever, followed by the hateful gleam in Shawn's eyes.The moment Shawn extended an olive branch and asked Jolene to be Samson's painting instructor, she knew she couldn't hide from him forever. At some point, their paths were bound to cross again.Samson was her own flesh and blood, after all. She poured her blood, sweat, and tears into raising him. She might have walked out on the boy, but her maternal instincts weren't so easily shut down. If anything, they very nearly crushed her last night when she saw him spasming.Bertram sensed that Claudia was distracted and asked, "Worried about the child, are you?"Claudia shook her head firmly. "No." She set her paintbrush down and voiced out her thoughts. "Mr. Jefferson, I was invited to partake in the upcoming International Ink Painting Competition. I figured I'd do some traveling while I'm at it."I was thinking about going
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 6
Rage and derision twisted Claudia's features into a malicious grimace, matching the one Shawn saw on his last video call with her. This confirmed his gut feeling that the woman before him was his supposedly dead wife.He tightened his grip on Claudia's wrist and hissed, "Keeping up the front, are you?"His long, slender fingers reached for her waist. He recalled there was a scar there, marking Claudia's most sensitive spot. On the nights they spent together in the sheets, she would tremble uncontrollably whenever he grazed the scar that ridged her skin."You're most sensitive here, right?" Shawn murmured close to her ear, his warm breath tickling her skin as a wicked smile curled on his lips. "How long do you think you can keep up the act?"He traced her waist with his hand slowly, familiar with the places he mapped from their years together. However, he was stunned when he didn't feel the scar even through the thin fabric of her robe.Shawn froze when he realized there was likely
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 7
Ethan immediately pulled Claudia close and wrapped an arm around her waist. He eyed Shawn warily and growled, "Don't get any funny ideas."Shawn's face darkened even more when he heard this. "You had a home and a family, Claudia, yet you abandoned them for some gigolo?""Please refrain from hurling unwarranted insults, mister," Ethan drawled as he pulled out a piece of paper that looked a lot like a marriage license. Holding it up before Shawn's face, he added, "Jolene and I are legally married."Shawn could practically picture the grins on Ethan's and Claudia's faces when they put their names down on the license. The words "Jolene Jefferson" and "Ethan Brandt" leaped out at him from the paper, and the date of registration was—His heart sank when he saw that the license was dated three years ago.Ethan calmly kept the license aside and said, "I suggest you hire a therapist to help you cope with your grief, Mr. Faulkner. It seems it's getting the better of your sanity."With th
Last Updated : 2024-12-23
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Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 30
Ethan shook his head. "The police came to get my statement, and I told them about Peter. They tried looking into it, but they couldn't find any proof of him hiring those men to abduct you."Ethan also secretly sent his men to try and track down the whereabouts of Claudia's and Isabel's hair samples. Yet, he couldn't even find a trace of where they were.Claudia's heart dropped. She was annoyed by how good Peter was at this."There's something I've been curious about for quite some time." Ethan paused briefly and carefully chose his words. He met Claudia's eyes. "Why is your family name Lowell?"The Lowells were a family of five. Yet, three different last names were used among their family members. It was one of the topics people in high society enjoyed discussing.In their social circle, it was widely known that Lorraine's mother and Claudia's maternal grandmother had Lowell as her last name. Back then, Claudia's maternal grandfather joined the Lowell family as a matrilocal son-in
Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 29
Claudia also heard that Peter opened an underground boxing club after returning from abroad before he met Lorraine.He was lucky enough to know Lorraine and get her help in transforming his business into a legitimate one. Otherwise, he might have become one of the targets when the government was trying to purge all criminal and illegal activities back then.Seeing the impression these men gave off and how differently they were acting, Claudia had a feeling they were sent by Peter.A crowd formed around the area at that point, and the police arrived at the scene as well. They sealed off the area by putting up the police line.However, almost all of them stayed put and observed the situation. It was because the bodyguards who were trying to shield Claudia and Isabel from the assailants were about to reach their limits.When Claudia saw how the bodyguards in front of her were slowing down due to exhaustion, she subconsciously held Isabel closer to her body.Just then, a sharp dagger
Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 28
However, those men were annoyingly clever. They opted to retreat immediately as soon as they realized they couldn't get close to Claudia and Isabel. In the end, Ethan didn't even get to implement the second part of his plan.Logically speaking, even the strongest man, with a will of steel, would eventually exhaust his strength. As time dragged on, Ethan's men might gradually lose focus and lower their guard. Their enemies would surely seize the opportunity to get what they were aiming for then."We need to think of a way to put a stop to this once and for all," Ethan said.Bertram slowly shook his head. "The Faulkner and Lowell families each possess great power and influence. It's impossible to put a stop to it for good. The only way to resolve this crisis is to create a bigger problem for them."Bertram met Ethan's gaze. "I've never been interested in gaining or fighting for power and influence. However, Jolene is my child. I won't allow anyone to hurt her. Ethan, I believe you ca
Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 27
"Should we just send Belle away?" Ethan suggested cautiously."We do need to send her away, but not now." Claudia continued, "It'll look even more suspicious if we rush to hide her now."Choosing to hide away now would be the same as telling their enemies they had something to hide."You made friends back when you were more involved with the underworld, right?" Claudia asked all of a sudden. "We need to create a diversion. Do you get it?"Ethan understood what she meant instantly. "I know what to do now."…A shrill voice screamed inside the Lowell residence at a late hour.Emilia had a look of disdain on her face as she stood at the side. After composing her emotions, she adopted a worried expression and stepped forward."Claudia's being too much this time! She shouldn't have hit Benedict even if she was trying to hide her identity! He's her brother, after all!"It turned out Claudia actually managed to twist and dislocate Benedict's hand with sheer force.The Lowells' famil
Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 26
"What the hell are you doing?" Ethan fumed."Who are you? What are you doing barging into a patient's room?"Sitting up on the bed, Claudia recognized the man who was standing by the door and boiling with rage at first glance.It was Benedict. Seeing him, Claudia's eyes hardened."Mister, have you come to the wrong room?" she said in a low voice."Why are you trying to act like you don't know me?" Benedict strode toward her and seized her wrist."You're a smart one, aren't you? Was it fun pretending to be dead during these past few years? Do you know how devastated everyone has been because of you? Do you know how bad Emilia feels whenever she sees Sammy?"Claudia might have fallen for Benedict's words if she hadn't visited the Lowell residence today.No matter how he phrased it, Benedict was only here now because of Emilia.Claudia scoffed and tried to pull her hand free. "So, you're Ms. Emilia's older brother? No wonder you've come barging into my room in the middle of the n
Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 25
Emilia had a grim look on her face as she stared in the direction of the ward. She felt quite puzzled.She followed Shawn all the way to the hospital, planning to patch things up with him by acting pitifully and pleading for his forgiveness. Yet, Shawn adamantly asked her to leave the room.Emilia was pacing up and down the corridor in exasperation when she suddenly spotted Ethan. She even overheard some parts of his conversation on the phone."Who's Isabel? Why are they trying to keep Shawn away from her?" she pondered.Emilia slowly treaded toward the ward. Through the glass window on the door, she saw a young girl clinging to Claudia's waist and smiling brightly.Emilia's eyes widened. If she remembered it correctly, the hospital said that Claudia gave birth to a girl who died shortly afterward.Emilia was so shocked that she stood rooted to the spot. When she saw Bertram get up and head to the door, she quickly moved to the side.She breathed a sigh of relief when Bertram wa
Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 24
She needed to equip herself with the right weapons and protect herself better. That was the only way Claudia could repay Bertram and Iris' kindness.Isabel put her arms around Claudia. Then, she wiped off the tears on the latter's face. "Don't cry, Mommy. I will protect you too!"Claudia let out a chuckle and hugged Isabel tightly. "How are you going to do that when you're so small?""I don't know, but I'll do everything in my power to protect you." Isabel had a confident look on her face as she clenched her fist."Grandpa said that man bullied you. So, I'll do my best to protect you and make sure something like it doesn't happen again."Claudia directed her gaze at Bertram, who gave a sigh."You will have to tell Belle what happened sooner or later. She may be young, but she's very clever and mature. Besides, it's better to let her know now since she may be caught off guard if those people suddenly come looking for you."You were separated from your family at a young age. You k
Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 23
Samson bit his lip. He felt slightly lost. After all, hearing an apology from his mother was never something he wanted.He said in a small voice, "Daddy… Actually, I don't think Mommy did anything wrong. We're the ones who should apologize to her…"Shawn froze to the spot as those words struck a critical blow to him.…Inside the hospital room, Isabel stuck to Claudia like glue, appearing all bubbly and chirpy. She looked completely different from the child who was timid and scared around Shawn earlier.Isabel leaned against Claudia's shoulder. "Mommy, did I do well just now?"Claudia could feel her heart melt. She stroked Isabel's hair gently. "You're the best, of course."However, Claudia wondered how Isabel knew that Shawn was her biological father. She never told her about it.She quickly assumed Ethan must have told Isabel. Yet, when she turned to Ethan, she could see him sitting in a corner with a frightened and worn-out look on his face.Judging by the look on his face,
Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 22
Then, Bertram cast a glance at Maxwell, who was standing quietly behind him all this time.Maxwell came forward at once and passed a document to Shawn."You've been curious about whether Jolene is actually your late wife or not. You can take a look at that document and see for yourself."With a puzzled look on his face, Shawn took the document and read through the pages. Soon enough, he froze to the spot.Jolene's background and life story were all written in detail in the document. Shortly after she was born, she was brought to an orphanage. She stayed there until she reached the age of 15.When Bertram visited her school to recruit talents, Jolene's painting caught his eye. He could tell the talent she had through her work.After returning to Glenhallow, he discussed it with Iris. Not long after that, they completed the procedure to adopt Jolene.As for Claudia, she was living on the streets after she got separated from her family. She even got sold off by human traffickers se
