When Ben and Lilith arrived at Starry River Villa, Hayden was about to go out.He bought a flight ticket to Ylore that would depart at three o'clock in the afternoon.However, Lilith's arrival disrupted his travel plan."Hayden, I'm so sorry to trouble your Aunt. Lilith didn't want to stay at my house, so I brought her here. I'll explain to your mom later," said Ben.Hayden then glanced at Lilith.Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, and she looked aggrieved as if she was bullied.Her head was hung low when she was carrying her luggage to the room she used to live in."The child is gone," Ben told Hayden after Lilith had walked far away, "She was set up by a young lady who used to live next door to me.""Scram! I don't want to see you," Hayden did not want to hear any more sentences from Ben.Ben felt guilty when he heard Hayden. He wanted to say something but he knew that whatever he said would only be superfluous to Hayden.After Ben had left, Hayden put his backpack
Jed strode out of the ward afterward.Right as he stepped out, he saw Elliot standing not far away from him.Elliot was leaning against the window smoking a cigarette.To Jed's surprise, Elliot had already returned to the hospital.Yet, he did not step into Ruby's ward all this while.Jed then walked up to Elliot and saw a lot of cigarette butts in the trash can in front of Elliot."Is Avery safe now?" asked Jed."Yeah. I saw you fell asleep, so I didn't wake you up." Elliot threw the cigarette he was holding into the trash can, "Off you go.""I was about to. By the way, she already woke up. You should check on her."Elliot pursed his lips and strode back to Ruby's ward while Jed headed to the lift.For some unknown reason, Elliot was terrifying in Jed's eyes.Although Elliot looked calm on the outside, Jed could sense that a storm was coming when he looked into Elliot's eyes.To Jed, Elliot was like a dormant beast that would wake up at any time!Time flew, and the sun wa
"Only he knows," Avery was distracted.She felt that Elliot had already remembered her, but she was not sure as long as Elliot did not tell her personally.To her, Elliot might have saved her last night because of the intimate affair they had on the yacht."What's your next step?" asked Ben, "Do you need my help? He's forgotten you but not me.""Has he ever contacted you?" Avery curiously asked."No," Ben was embarrassed, "I received a call from an unknown number calling from Ylore not long ago and didn't pick it up. However, no one answered when I called back.""I know his phone number in Ylore," Avery anticipated, "Show me.""Okay," Ben then found the unknown number which he did not save in the call log.Avery's heart beat fast when she heard the number from Ben, "Ben, it's him! He's using this number in Ylore!""I knew it! He only forgot you but not me! That's why he remembers my number!" Ben breathed heavily, "But why didn't he pick up my phone? I know he's not into romanc
Gary visited Ruby after he had had breakfast.She looked refreshed that day.She felt everything was worth it because Elliot had been by her side."Dad, I want to go home to recuperate," Ruby said cutely, "I don't want Elliot to suffer with me in the hospital.""Okay. I'll send the paramedics home to take care of you.""Thanks, dad." Ruby smiled, but there was a hint of anxiety in her eyes, "Dad, where's brother? Did you punish him?""Shouldn't I? You just married Elliot and he's already wanted to kill Elliot…""Brother was being impulsive. Dad, you could talk to him but please don't punish him. I don't want him and Elliot to become enemies. It'll be heartbreaking if that happens," Ruby begged."My silly daughter! Don't worry about that!" said Gary while dropping a hint to Elliot with a strange look.After both of them had come out of the ward, Gary patted Elliot's shoulder."I meted out punishment to you last night because I was worried you might repeat the same mistake! You
Hayden saw his face and hurried to another elevator by reflex.Elliot came out of the elevator with his companions and strode toward the hotel entrance.He did not seem to have noticed Hayden, or perhaps he had noticed the child but he had not realized that Hayden was his son.All in all, their encounter went unnoticed.After Elliot left, the elevator door before Hayden opened. After hesitating for a few moments, Hayden decided to check out from the hotel.For him to run into Elliot today, meant that there were chances of him running into that man again. The hotel Hayden was staying at was the best hotel in all of Ylore, and he had booked a room here because it was safer; however, Gary ran that hotel....Elliot went to the hotel today because Gary wanted him to inspect the place.Gary intended on passing all of his businesses to Elliot, as his son, Christopher, was extremely reckless, and he had made plenty of enemies. If it was not for Gary, Christopher would have been killed
He had other work to do and could not remain in the hotel any longer, but he believed that once Avery arrived, she would be able to find Hayden. Once she did, she could take Hayden away from Ylore.Avery hung up and Jed noticed how pale she looked. "What happened? You look like you are running out of air.""Jed, something urgent came up. I need to head out right now!" Avery said anxiously. She did not waste a moment explaining things to him. "I'll explain to you later!"With that, she ran for the elevator.As soon as she moved, her bodyguard went after her.Ever since the kidnapping incident, her bodyguard had not left her side. Once they were in the elevator, he asked, "What happened?""Elliot called me just now. He said he saw Hayden!" Avery said nervously and was suddenly reminded of something.She opened the contact list on her phone and found Eric's number. Once the elevator arrived on the first floor, she exited hastily and dialed the number.Eric picked up and she asked,
She answered the call but did not manage to compose herself in time. "Elliot, I can't find Hayden. I asked the hotel and the receptionist said that he is not checked into this hotel."She felt a lump in her throat as tears threatened to fall. She would not have been this worried if Hayden was alone in a different country."Are you sure you saw him here?" she asked in a muffled voice."Yes," he said with certainty."You've never forgotten about Hayden, have you?" she asked, "Neither have you forgotten about Layla or Robert..."Elliot's breath grew heavier. "I am certain that he is in Ylore. You should be looking for him, instead of asking me meaningless questions like this.""I can't find him!" Tears rolled down her face. "I don't even know where to start looking for him. He won't answer his phone! So unless he contacts me, there's no way I'm going to be able to find him."Hayden was not a three-year-old toddler any longer. Ever since he had spent half a year studying overseas, h
Perhaps she should not have been so pessimistic. If she could not find him, it would be just as difficult for the Goulds to find him as well.After lunch, she returned to her room. Hayden had yet to contact her.She took out the CT scan diagrams and inspected them closely. She noticed that the tumor in her brain had gotten bigger. It was no wonder that Jed seemed devastated. Had she not told him that Hayden was missing in Ylore, he would have insisted on scheduling her for surgery. At three in the afternoon, Elliot returned home after lunch.He had a few drinks during lunch because Gary had invited a few clients of his to lunch and Elliot could not avoid drinking with them.He headed straight to the bedroom as soon as he arrived home. He was feeling slightly dizzy, and he needed some rest so that he would have the strength to look for Hayden that night.When he pushed open the door and saw Ruby lying on the bed, he froze."Elliot, did you drink?" Ruby set her phone down to st
Three years later…Ivy and Robert stood at the airport in Aryadelle, anxiously waiting."It's been three years! Your boyfriend is finally here to see you!" Robert exclaimed before shifting the conversation. "He's not here to break up with you, is he? After all, you haven't seen each other in three years. A lot can change."Ivy sighed, "Robert, can you not jinx it? Although we haven't met in three years, we talk on the phone and video call every day!"Robert quipped, "Digital romance.""Anyway, he promised me that he's going to settle down in Aryadelle this time, and we won't be apart again," Ivy said. Robert smirked. "He's got a strong sense of pride. When he meets Dad later, they might not hit it off, and he'll buy a ticket to leave tonight!"Feeling helpless, Ivy was at a loss for words. Just then, a familiar voice called out, "Ivy!"Ivy immediately looked over to the source of the voice and saw Lucas stepping out of the exit, dragging his suitcase behind him. A smile sp
Mr. Woods did not expect Hayden to be so direct, and he found himself momentarily caught off guard. He had come to ask Hayden for money, but he had not thought about exactly how much he wanted. After all, Hayden's family was extremely wealthy, and he did not want to ask for too little and feel shortchanged, nor did he want to risk asking for too much and having Hayden refuse. It was a tough decision. After a brief internal struggle, Mr. Woods turned to Hayden and said, "I know your family is one of the wealthiest in Aryadelle, so why don't you name the price? I trust you won't mistreat my son and our family." Hayden furrowed his brows slightly. Shelly, noticing his hesitation, quickly chimed in, "Uncle, why don't you make an offer? We're not very familiar with this process. If you insist on us naming a price, we might need to consult my father-in-law." "Elliot Foster, you mean?" Mr. Woods asked. Shelly nodded. "Yes. My father-in-law isn't as easygoing as my husband. After a
"All right. Let's find a place nearby to sit and talk." Mr. Woods breathed a sigh of relief. "Good! Our house is actually nearby. Would you like to visit? Ivy has been with us for many years, and our staff has a close relationship with her." Hayden glanced at Shelly and asked, "Should we go?" "Sure!" Shelly said. Mr. Woods immediately invited Hayden and Shelly into his car and drove them to the Woods' mansion. Upon arriving, Mr. Woods instructed the servants to serve tea and refreshments. He pointed to the butler and said to Hayden, "This is our butler. He hired Ivy's grandmother." Hayden nodded. Mr. Woods then introduced Hayden: "This is Irene's older brother, the renowned businessman Mr. Hayden Tate." "Hello, Mr. Tate. Irene was a wonderful young lady," the butler said. "We all liked her very much. When we heard of her passing, we were truly saddened. Fortunately, she didn't actually pass away! Ivy is a very sensible and resilient girl, one of the strongest I've eve
Ivy's eyes were red as she said, "Hayden, Lucas' mother has passed away, so I won't be able to spend time with you for a few days." "It's okay. Given what has happened, we're not in the mood for fun either. After we attend his mother's funeral, Shelly and I will return," Hayden said. Ivy nodded. "How are funerals handled here?" Hayden asked. Given Lucas' relationship with Ivy, his younger sister, he felt a sense of duty to help Lucas with the funeral arrangements. "It's similar to how it's done back at home. Wealthy people can have elaborate funerals, and those with less money can opt for simpler ceremonies. Those who can't afford much at all can forgo the ceremony and opt for a simple burial," Ivy said. "What if someone wants a more elaborate funeral?" "Hayden, do you want to help with his mother's funeral? He doesn't have any close relatives here, so there's no need for an elaborate ceremony," she explained. "I see. Go and talk to him about it. I'll help with whatever I
Lucas hung up, tears welling in his eyes. Ivy stood by his side and asked, "What's wrong, Lucas?" "My mom has passed away. You should keep your brother company! I need to head back to the hospital." "I will come along! Aunty seemed fine just now, so why did she suddenly pass away?" The two hurried toward the car, completely forgetting about Hayden and Shelly. Hayden and Shelly watched as they left awkwardly, and Shelly said, "Honey, let's go to the hospital. I think Lucas' mother has passed away." "Sure." The two caught a taxi and hurried after Lucas. Meanwhile, in the hospital, Lucas arrived to first encounter the doctor and then his father. Mr. Woods tried ingratiating himself with his son, saying, "Lucas, I came to the hospital to see your mother, but when I arrived, she had already passed away. What a shame!" "Are you sure she had already passed away before you came? I was here earlier today, and when I saw her, she was still alive!" Lucas said. Mr. Woods reto
Mr. Woods sneered, "What do you mean? Are you looking down on me? Although the Woods family has fallen on hard times, we're still a prominent family in Taronia! Lucas may be foolish, but are you any wiser? If it weren't for me backing Lucas, would the Fosters even look at him?" "Shut up! The Foster family isn't narrow-minded like you! Ivy's family doesn't dislike Lucas, so don't go causing trouble! They don't want to see you at all!" Lucas' mother retorted. Mr. Woods scoffed. "Is that so? Do you really think they don't look down on him? Why wouldn't they? Are they planning to make Lucas marry into their family instead of the other way round?" "It's none of your business! You never cared about Lucas, and now that he's independent, he doesn't need you anymore! You wouldn't have come to me repeatedly if Ivy wasn't Elliot Foster's daughter and if she wasn't interested in Lucas. Do you really think I have no idea what you are plotting?" Mr. Woods countered, "What nonsense are you ta
Ivy did not hesitate, immediately shaking her head. "I'm not leaving. Don't worry about me; just focus on yourself." "Staying here is just a waste of time." "I've been studying and interning so hard for so long. What's wrong with taking a break now?" Ivy argued. Before long, Hayden and Shelly had finished their shopping, and Ivy and Lucas immediately joined them to go to the hospital. Lucas' mother had no idea that Ivy's brother and sister-in-law were coming to visit her, so she appeared a bit uncomfortable when they arrived. She tried to sit up, but her body failed her. Ivy raised the head of the hospital bed. "Aunty, my big brother and sister-in-law came over to Taronia for a visit. They wanted to see Lucas and you." "Oh, this is really embarrassing. It's a blessing for my son to know Ivy..." Lucas' mother muttered sheepishly. Shelly reassured, "Aunty, don't say that. Lucas is outstanding. Otherwise, Ivy wouldn't have fallen for him." Lucas' mother continued, "I've
Throughout the meal, Ivy found it hard to enjoy her food. Lucas and Hayden discussed everything that mattered, and the conversation went smoother than anyone had anticipated. Hayden was not upset, nor was Lucas. It was a better scenario than what Ivy had hoped for, but she still felt depressed. "Lucas, my husband and I would like to pay your mother a visit. Would that be okay?" Shelly asked after finishing her food. "Sure," Lucas said. "Don't we need to ask your mom first?" Ivy asked. "It's fine. We can just head over right away and introduce them once we arrive." Lucas' mother grew weaker every day and had stopped using her phone altogether, so it was her nurse, whom Lucas had hired, who reported his mother's condition to him daily. "You restarted your business and have to take care of your mother simultaneously; you're really strong. Most people would crumble under the pressure," Shelly commented. "Ivy had a tougher life before. She didn't crumble, so I won't eith
After what Ivy said, Lucas added, "I want to focus on my career for now. Marriage is secondary until I become more successful." Hayden sneered. "Running a business isn't as simple as it seems. What if you fail or never achieve anything out of the ordinary?" "If that happens, I won't drag Ivy down," Lucas said. "At least you know your place." Ivy felt as though her cheeks were on fire. "Hayden, even if Lucas fails, I won't give up on him. I won't let him go just because of his financial state." Shelly grabbed Hayden's hand again, signaling to him to control his temper; he could be rude to others, but he could not be so demanding with Ivy. Ivy sensed that she was slightly out of line, and her tone eased. "Hayden, we shouldn’t judge people based on their wealth. Our family is rich enough, and there really aren't that many people out there who can compare to our financial state, so why does it matter how wealthy my partner is?" "Ivy is right. Love matters most. Even if we man