The package was small and light when she picked it up. She glanced at the details stated on the box and found out that it was from Aryadelle and the sender was 'W'.Realizing that it was from Wesley, she immediately tensed as she was overwhelmed by curiosity.She found a pocket knife and opened the package."What is it?" Mike stood next to her and tried to look inside the box, while Hayden stood on the other side, trying to do the same.There was a blue box inside and Mike immediately snatched it away out of Avery's hands. "Judging from the look on your face, you don't seem to know what it is. I will open it, just in case it's dangerous!" Mike said, before proceeding to open the blue box.He froze as soon as the box was open because he could not tell what it was and whether it was dangerous."Let me see." Concerned, Hayden took it from Mike before Avery could reach for it.Avery scowled as she watched Hayden take the item, and she could not help but feel a wave of familiarity wa
Avery's blood ran cold and she started to shiver, unable to make a sound. In the end, she decided that she needed to head back in this instant. "I'm coming back now.""Alright. I'll wait for you," Wesley said.As soon as the call ended, Mike helped her over to the couch."You want to go back to Aryadelle now, right? I'll book the tickets for you. Just sit down and calm yourself. You are as pale as a ghost," Mike said."I'll book the ticket!" Hayden said. "If there are no flights tonight, we will book a private jet.""Okay." Mike knew that Avery wanted to go back to Elliot no matter the cost.Twelve hours later, they all arrived at Aryadelle and the bodyguard picked them up from the airport, before driving them to the hospital right away.It was after midnight in Aryadelle and both Wesley and Shea were still at the hospital."Avery, he's stabilized for the moment," Wesley said to Avery.Avery could not bring herself to believe Wesley. She simply needed to see Elliot herself."
"Okay... I will send you some clothes and living necessities once I get home!" Mike said. "Send me a list of what you need.""Sure. Just get the bodyguard to send them over.""Okay. We will get going now!" Mike knew he would not be of much help here and decided to stay out of Avery's way.Once they left, Avery went for a full-body sanitization and put on the isolation gown to prepare to enter the ICU.The doctor who performed the surgery on Elliot went inside with her."Don't worry, Miss Tate. We predict that Mr. Foster will be regaining consciousness in a few days' time," he consoled her."How many days, exactly?" she asked. She did not know about Elliot's current condition and the doctor who performed the surgery knew it best."I would say within three days!" the doctor said. "It might be a concern if he doesn't wake up until then, though."Avery tensed."Miss Tate, I said that he would wake up in a few days because all his vitals are improving, so there's hope," the doctor
Concerned that Robert would start crying, Mrs. Cooper immediately hurried to Robert's room to check on him.Shortly after, she walked out with Robert in her arms.Robert pouted as soon as he saw Layla holding onto Hayden."Layla, you shouted so loudly that I think you woke all the living." Mike poured himself a glass of water."Boohoo... Why didn't you tell us that you were coming home? No one told me anything before I went to sleep!" Layla wrapped her arms around her brother tightly and complained to Mike."We came home in a hurry." Mike set his glass down and checked the time. "It's almost two in the morning. Don't you two have school tomorrow?""I'm taking leave tomorrow! It's been so long since Hayden came home. I'm not going to school!" Layla decided without hesitation."Are you catching up on your studies?" Mike teased."I can whenever I want to!" Layla puffed her cheeks in frustration."Go to sleep, Layla. I'll send you off to school tomorrow." Hayden let go of Layla. "
Avery held Robert with one arm and held Layla's hand with another as she stepped into the mansion with a gentle smile."Judging from how relaxed you look, I am guessing that everything with Elliot is alright?" Mike said with a smile."He's doing fine," she said. "Are you leaving? Drive safe.""You don't even bother asking me to stay," he pouted."It's late now so stop being such a drama queen," Avery said with amusement, before handing Robert to Mrs. Cooper and heading to Hayden's room to tidy it up."Avery, we kept Hayden's room exactly the way it was before he left, and we clean it every week, so he can use it as long as we change the sheets," Mrs. Cooper said with Robert in her arms. "You should have told me that you are coming home.""We decided in the heat of the moment so it was quite rushed.""Yeah, it's alright. Why don't you take Hayden to his room? I will take Robert back to bed," Mrs. Cooper said, before turning to look at Layla. "Layla...""I want to go to see Hayde
I'm glad that you feel that way, Hayden. I can feel how you've grown, and though I'm happy for you, I feel kind of sad as well because I know I won't be able to shield you from everything from now on. At some point, you will leave me and fly off.""Mom, no matter where I am, I will always come back to you when you need me.""I don't need you to worry about me. Just be happy, do what you love most and meet people who share your dream... Just like how you are deciding to not interfere with my life decisions, I will do the same."Avery returned to her room with relief after talking to Hayden and found Layla lying on her bed with her doll, looking at her with a drowsy smile."Mommy, have you talked to Hayden?""Yeah." Avery walked toward the bed and looked at Layla with a gentle smile. "Your brother hasn't been able to make peace with your dad throughout the years, and I wanted them to stop acting like they were strangers or enemies.""And what did Hayden say?" Layla batted her eyes
Avery sent him a photo. [Your dad can no longer control me and Elliot.]Sebastian opened the photo and instantly realized what it was. [How's Elliot?][He's alive.][So this whole thing was a lie?][Yeah.][I knew it, and I think deep down, my dad knew it as well. He just wants to make money through his technology, and he does not want the truth to get out.][I know. I won't let him make money out of this.][Do as you please. I don't care.]Avery had only texted him to keep him posted and didn't care what he intend to do in the future.Neither of them owed the other one anymore.Avery stepped out of the bathroom and Layla was already asleep. She walked to the bed and touched Layla on the forehead. Her daughter seemed to have grown up to be a young woman without her noticing it.Avery wished that she could just hit the pause button so that she could have more time with her children.It would be daylight soon, and Mrs. Cooper woke Layla up for school.Layla leaped from bed a
"I'm not sick, Robert," Avery muttered awkwardly. "But please don't be mad at me, because I was looking for a way to cure your dad.""Fine... I will just be a little mad.""Yeah! You are just a good boy!" Avery held him up and planted a kiss on his cheek.Robert's kindergarten was located in the business area outside their house, which was merely a five minutes drive away.After sending him off to school, Avery told the driver to take her to the hospital.Elliot's doctor mentioned that he would inform her right away as soon as Elliot regained consciousness, and she had been waiting with anticipation for her phone to ring....In the outskirts, on the second floor of a landed property, there were a few bottles of Melatonin on a nightstand.Natalie had not slept at all the night before, and the melatonin was no longer effective.She leaned against the window with a cigarette between her fingers. The ashes fell onto the ground and all over her sleeping gown as well.Ever since E
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