"Yeah. Your mom headed over there to handle something. She will be back once she's done.""Oh... She's not in any danger, though, is she?" Layla asked."Probably not. Your brother and Mike will be there in Bridgedale to take care of her once she arrives in Bridgedale.""Okay! Let's go to Ms. Kennedy's apartment to finish my homework, then! She told me that she has a meeting earlier this afternoon and will get off work a little later. She handed me her keys and told me to go to her place first."The two headed to Leah's apartment, and the bodyguard opened the door to find someone sitting on the couch.It was someone they knew.Natalie's aunt had asked her to visit Leah at her apartment to check in on her, and Natalie had not expected to see Layla and Elliot's bodyguard there.Layla turned heels without hesitation, wanting to leave as soon as she spotted Natalie, but the bodyguard stopped her.They had not ruled out the possibility that Natalie might have something to do with Ell
Layla's furious face appeared before the two of them. Her chest was heaving as she stared daggers at Natalie. "Your dad is dead! You keep saying that my dad is dead, so I'm saying the same thing to you, you witch! You are just like that old witch Wanda! Both of you are rotten to the core!"Layla decided to tell her father about how horrible a person Natalie was if he ever came home. He would then fire her and get her as far away from them as possible.Natalie had not imagined that Layla could be this vicious"Ms. Jennings, you seem pretty certain that my boss is dead. Do you know something that we don't?" The bodyguard did not give her a chance to argue and pressed on, "Or are you involved in his death?!""Bullsh*t! I just want my cousin to keep her distance from you people and I said that to convince her! How would I know if Elliot is dead?! You are unreasonable and vicious beyond bounds! If I have the ability to murder someone like Elliot, I might as well stop working for someone
"And?""My mom told me to quit my job and go home." Leah stared straight ahead. "I have to listen to them no matter how old I am and I'm a bad daughter if I disobey them.""So are you going to quit and go home?" The bodyguard was not interested in her family drama."I don't want to. If I do, they are going to force me to marry some man I don't like...""What year do they think this is? Is arranged marriage still a thing?" The bodyguard was shocked."It will always be a thing no matter what year it is." Leah smiled bitterly. "My dad is old. My brother is young and of mediocre talent. If my dad wants to secure our family's position, a marriage alliance is the only way.""Oh. I really don't get rich families' dramas.""My parents used to look down on my cousin's family because they were poor. My cousin has proven herself more than capable and is earning a lot now by running a big company like Tate Industries. My parents' views have drastically changed how they view her, and they no
"No. I don't think your dad is still in Ylore," Chad said. "If your dad is alive, we will definitely find him,""But what if he's dead? Will we not find him if he's dead?" Layla asked."Layla, if your dad is gone for good, you will need to stay strong because your mom is going to take it harder than anyone of you. Apart from your mom, you need to be there for your little brother as well." Chad did not want to say this, but words simply came flying out.Just as Layla had suggested, if they could not find Elliot after such a long search, it was possible that he was dead. They simply did not want to accept that."I say this, but I still believe with all my heart that your dad is still alive. He is a brilliant and sharp man and can always overcome any situation no matter how hard they are. I've worked alongside him for years, and I've seen him encountering troubles all the time, but he has always been able to resolve them easily."Chad meant to comfort Layla, but those words were said
"I printed out a big pile of documents. People who don't know what I'm doing might think that I'm writing a book or something.""That bad, huh?" Her eyebrow shot up."It's really that bad. I thought Elliot's family background was complicated enough and now that I've looked into the president of MediLove Pharmaceutical, I realized that the Fosters are nowhere near the Jennings. The person who started MediLove Pharmaceutical is called Dean Jennings. He's an incredible man.""In terms of running a business, you mean?""In terms of his ability to reproduce."Avery instantly realized what Mike was trying to tell her. She had seen on the news before that wealthy families often preferred to have more offspring. So, women who married into these families were expected to give birth over and over again, and that included famous actresses who were turned into machines that gave birth continuously after marriage."Dean is seventy-three this year, but still strong enough to work as the presid
Mike was stunned. According to his research, there was no relation between Natalie and Dean, but it did seem to be a coincidence that they both shared the same family name."Maybe I'm just overthinking it," Avery said. "There are a lot of people who have the surname Jennings. They can't all be related.""Forget it and eat up! Weren't you the one who told me that thinking too much when you're eating would cause digestive issues?" Mike said while studying the frown between her brows."Yeah."After dinner, Avery returned to the room to wash up.She could not sleep at all on the plane no matter how hard she tried, so she was exhausted.After showering, she lay on the bed and spotted the big pile of documents Mike had gathered before closing her eyes. She wanted to reach out for it but her arms refused to move. Shortly after, she drifted off to sleep.The next day, the sun shone bright and Mike went to knock on Avery's door.She immediately opened the door."I thought you were stil
"Hello, Miss Tate," said the lawyer, greeting Avery. "I've already met with Wanda Tate's lawyer yesterday and was told that the evidence they hold is a recording of the phone conversation you had with Wanda before her death. They said that you admitted to wanting to kill her at the time.""How ridiculous. I know what I said. I did say that I was going to avenge my mother, but I did not say anything about revenge on Wanda unless she admitted to killing my mother!" She switched on her phone and said, "I recorded the conversation as well. You can listen to it."She found the recording and played it."What... What on earth are you talking about?! Your father is long gone! I watched them cremate him! You designed the robot to look exactly like your father. It was your father's dying wish, and now along comes Dream Maker. That's why you are using his face. This way he is fulfilling his dream! What a great daughter you are!""Wanda, since you've already found out this much, I can only adm
In Aryadelle, Ben had returned but had not gone home to rest immediately. He saw Chad's message as soon as he turned on his phone and called Chad right away. Once Chad explained the situation, Ben instantly told the driver to take him to Tate Industries.Natalie was slightly surprised when she saw Ben."Mr. Schaffer, to what do I owe the pleasure?" She set her work aside and stepped out of her desk. "Do you want something to drink?""Nothing." A cold smile appeared on his face. "Natalie, you should know why I'm here, right?"She watched as the smile faded from his face and realized that there was no point for her to fake ignorance."I can guess." Natalie led him to the couch to sit. "This is about last night, right? I can explain.""Sure. Explain away." Ben sat down casually and stared at her.She lowered her gaze thoughtfully for a few moments and said, "My cousin came to Aryadelle to work after graduating. My aunt reminded me over and over again to look after her. I reminded h
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