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Chapter 8
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2024-12-23 19:19:20Related chapters
Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 9
Emilia continued angrily, "That boy is becoming more impossible by the day! It's like he's become a different person entirely since Claudia died. How am I supposed to cope with that?"And it's been two years, but Shawn hasn't even asked me to marry him! What will I do if things drag on like this?"Lorraine comforted her, saying, "Calm down. You and Shawn grew up together; he shares a special bond with you. As for Claudia, you must understand she was the mother of his child, and it's only natural for him to grieve her departure."But men are fickle creatures, and they move on quickly. Don't worry; I'm sure it won't take long for him to turn around and come back to you."Upon seeing the disgruntled look on Emilia's face, Lorraine grabbed her hand and added patiently, "Don't forget what you're marrying Shawn for. Don't lose sight of your ambitions because of sentiments like Claudia did."Emilia scoffed at this. "Don't worry, Mom. I haven't forgotten our plans. I'm not a fool like Cla
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 10
As doubts and suspicions seized Lorraine, a sudden idea flashed in her mind. Smiling warmly at Claudia, she said, "Well, you must be tired after the long journey to Briarwood, Ms. Jefferson. I trust you will make a wonderful tutor for my grandson. But let's not rush into his lessons for today. You're welcome to join us for a meal, Ms. Jefferson."Claudia was placid as ever as she nodded at Lorraine, accepting the latter's invitation. She knew the meal would be anything but casual, but she didn't balk. The more her enemies tested her, the more magnanimous she had to be.The tension was thick as everyone adjourned to the dining room.Emilia couldn't stop shooting deadly looks at Claudia, jealousy and spite clouding her gaze. Shawn, on the other hand, found himself glancing at Claudia every once in a while, his expression unreadable.Lorraine was the first to break the pregnant silence. "So, Ms. Jefferson, it must be an interesting experience to study under someone as great as Mr. J
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 11
Shawn was in no mood to respond to Emilia because he was feeling extremely frustrated. He gently twisted his hand free."You're overreacting. I'm just trying to figure out who she really is."Emilia bit her lip. "Shawn, do you still have feelings for Claudia after all this time? It's been two years since her death. Why are you still not over her yet?""Stop bringing her up." Shawn furrowed his brows. "Hearing her name makes me feel sick."He turned around and went into the kitchen.Emilia was positively fuming as she bit down on her lip hard. Despite Shawn's words, she could clearly sense his concern for Claudia.She couldn't help but wonder if the two of them developed real feelings for each other during their five years of marriage.Emilia was gripped by a deep sense of panic. She quickly went after Shawn. To her surprise, she found Lorraine in the kitchen too.Lorraine's suspicions grew endlessly as she observed how calm Claudia was during the meal. She honestly couldn't say
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 12
Her heart skipped a beat. Claudia instinctively clutched her bag tightly—she hid her medication there earlier. "Jolene, it's me."Ethan came closer with a worried look on his face. He grabbed Claudia's hand anxiously.Claudia felt herself relax a little. "Why are you here? They didn't suspect anything, right?""They are all troubled over having failed to confirm your identity earlier. They don't have the time to be bothered with where I'm going. I'm just worried about you."Ethan's gaze bored into her as he looked up and down Claudia's body carefully several times. He finally breathed a sigh of relief once he was sure she was alright. But soon enough, the crease on his forehead deepened once more."The Lowells are utterly shameless! They went and added peanut powder to your soup just to figure out your true identity!"These people knew Claudia was allergic to peanuts. Even the smallest amount could be lethal for her. Yet, the Lowells chose to do it regardless.It made Ethan wo
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 13
Claudia calmly put her hand on Ethan's arm and regained her footing."I'm sorry. I must have given you quite a scare when I almost slipped and fell earlier, Mr. Faulkner."Shawn furrowed his brows, his tone icy. "Ms. Jefferson, as my son's tutor, you should try to maintain a respectable image."He cast a glance at Ethan and frowned with disgust. "Also, this isn't a place for you to fool around with your lover. It's best if you don't bring a man with you wherever you go."Claudia chuckled. "I guess it's my fault for not having explained to you about this earlier, Mr. Faulkner. Ethan isn't just my husband; he's also my assistant. He always goes with me whenever I have to travel for work."Shawn felt as though a needle had pierced his heart when he heard that Ethan was always with Claudia. He froze for a moment.Moreover, Ethan added right afterward, "Besides, it shouldn't concern you since I was just trying to help my wife. Isn't that right, Mr. Faulkner? Even if the person I was h
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 14
Shawn was seething with rage. He snapped angrily, "Jolene Jefferson, you're outright shameless!"It was as if someone had set his heart on flames with explosives. Shawn felt like Claudia was clearly taunting him with her actions.He was used to having the upper hand in almost any situation. Yet, Claudia somehow managed to use the contract to put him in an unfavorable position. It was a shattering blow to his pride.Shawn's expression hardened. He was positively fuming. There was a look of anger and indignation in his eyes as he fixed his gaze on Claudia.Claudia wasn't intimidated in the slightest. She looked Shawn in the eye and said, "Mr. Faulkner, I didn't secretly modify the contract. I simply protected my rights. Who can you blame when it was you who didn't look at the contract properly?"Shawn was rendered speechless. Although he felt extremely annoyed, he couldn't deny the fact that the fault lay with him in this matter.After a few moments of silence, he said indignantly,
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 15
Soon enough, Claudia regained her composure. Memories of what happened in the past flashed through her mind.She knew that Shawn didn't like her. In fact, it would be better to say that he detested her. Eventually, she stopped hoping there was any chance she could change how he felt about her.After giving birth to Samson, Claudia showered him, the apple of her eye, with love and affection. At the time, she poured all of her love and patience in order to make sure he would grow up happily and healthily.She figured it wouldn't be a bad thing if she could live out the rest of her life watching her child grow into a full-fledged adult.Yet, reality turned out harsher than she imagined. Samson never grew close to her at all. Instead, he would mock her and take Emilia's side just like Shawn did.Even when Claudia was having difficulty delivering her second baby and was on the verge of death, Samson and Shawn opted to stand by and watch her die.Claudia felt bitter as memories of her
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind Chapter 16
Lorraine chimed in, "Exactly! I know you're famous, Ms. Jefferson. Still, it seems like a person's capabilities don't necessarily reflect their personality."She had a mocking look on her face as she tried to drag Samson away again. "Why are you still clinging on to her after everything she's said? Come to Grandma now."Claudia shot a glare at Lorraine. For some reason, Lorraine felt an overwhelming sense of pressure. For a moment, she dared not utter a word.Claudia's gaze fell on Shawn. "Mr. Faulkner, as a father, you can't even protect your child well. So, what makes you think you have the right to criticize me like that?" she said in a harsh tone.Shawn was struck speechless. He couldn't refute her words. He knew he was a poor excuse for a father. Yet, he refused to admit his mistakes.Claudia squatted down, placed her hands on Samson's shoulders, and turned him around so that he was looking at Shawn."Samson, this is the first lesson I'm teaching you. Never rely on pleasing
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
