"No, and I'm probably not going to be. I didn't cross him in any way.""Why is he looking for you, then? He spent a fortune at the hotel, trying to get a clue about who you are. My former colleagues wouldn't have betrayed me had he not done so."Shelly did not want to tell others about her children and said, "I don't really know what this is about. I will see what happens when he contacts me!""Alright, then! Where are you working right now? The same place?" the friend asked."No. I am working in a cafe run by a friend right now.""Oh... A waitress? I thought you had a decent job, so why did you quit to work at a cafe?" the friend asked. "You are educated so it's a waste for you to be a waitress.""Yeah. It's getting late, so you should go to bed. I'm going to bed soon." Shelly did not want to continue the discussion as she did not know what she was going to do. Even if Hayden was to reach out to her, he would not do so that same night, and she started wondering if she should s
"Shelly, why are you so silly?" Courtney sighed. "You could have gotten rich overnight, and y yet you choose to remain in poverty because of your pride. If I were you, I would have told the Fosters the same day I found out that I was pregnant. Even if Hayden Tate doesn't want the baby, his parents will let you keep the children."Shelly blushed. "Courtney, I will send Audrey over to your place tomorrow. Is that okay?""Of course! It's Elliot Foster’s granddaughter we are talking about here. Aren't you worried that I'm going to take her to Elliot and ask him for money?" Courtney burst out laughing."... I trust you.""My family runs a business, and I'm a businesswoman at heart. If I take Audrey to Elliot, he is going to pay me at least 150,000," said Courtney running the numbers, "and that's just the minimum. He might let me name my price and pay me 780,000 or even 1.5 million if I ask for it."Shelly fell silent before Courtney's words. "Naturally, I won't do that. I'm just mess
"Why didn't she deliver her child here herself? If she doesn't want the baby, why give birth to him in the first place? If she wants money, she could have said so. There's no point for her to do all these things," he thought."Hayden, why are you awake so early? You should sleep in," Avery said when she spotted him."Did you two sleep well?" Hayden asked.Since his parents slept with the baby the night before, Hayden assumed that they had not been able to get a good night's sleep."Hahaha! I slept fine, but your dad didn't." Avery beamed. "Your son woke up every two hours crying for milk. Hahaha!"A devastated look appeared on Hayden's face. "Are babies all like that?""Babies at his age are pretty much all like that." Avery had accepted the fact that she was a grandmother and was rather pleased by it. "Do you want to try sleeping with your son?""Let's just hire a nanny!" Hayden said."Sure. Have you found the mother of your child?""I'm close.""Do you have her number?" Ave
Haydne could barely taste his food during breakfast because Elliot was sitting next to him with the baby.The baby was well-fed and rested, so he batted his big eyes as he stared at Hayden.Hayden left the table shortly after eating his oatmeal."Avery, Hayden doesn't seem to like his son," Elliot whispered."He was taken by surprise, after all," Avery said."But this is his son! I might be a jerk back then, but I still loved my children." Elliot was upset that Hayden was so cold to his own son."Hayden is already acting differently by not turning the baby away," Avery consoled him. "I've read books that said it takes men more time to build a relationship with their children because they don't go through the process of carrying the baby and giving birth to it.""Alright! I hope the books are right."Hayden dialed the number he received from the hotel manager the night before, and his call was answered right away.His heart raced and he blurted out, "Hello. I'm Hayden Tate. The
"Today?" Shelly asked."Yeah. Today," Hayden said sternly."Mr. Tate, we don't have to meet." Shelly did not want to meet Hayden in person as she was worried that she might not be able to lie.After all, a man like Hayden had seen enough people to tell when he was being lied to."You are contacting me because of the baby, right?" Shelly said. "I did get someone to deliver the baby to you. I'm poor and can't afford to raise a child, so I figured he will be better off with you.""Why did you give birth to him if that's the case?" Hayden questioned. "Just so that you can deliver him to me without getting anything in return?"Shelly blushed.Hayden's tone was confronting and harsh, and she was thankful that she did not have to face him directly."It's not that... People are complicated, and they might feel differently at different times. I wanted to get rid of the baby at first but didn't have the courage to go through an abortion. After some delay, I was too far along to go throug
"You should just talk to her! If you don't know how much you should pay her, you can give her an allowance each month to make sure that she doesn't struggle," Avery said. "After all, the child would be upset if he grows up to find that his mother has been suffering.""Mom, if the child doesn’t get to interact with his mother, he won't feel anything toward her. Just look at Dad. He doesn’t feel anything for his biological mother," Hayden argued.Avery stared at her son in shock. "Mom just put the baby down! Aren't you tired of carrying him around?""I'm fine. He isn't sleeping right now so I want to interact with him more. It would be boring for him to lay in bed all the time.""You can get a stroller and put him in it then." Hayden had carried the baby before and knew that he was quite heavy. While it might be fine to hold the baby for a while, one would definitely feel sore if they had to carry the baby all the time."Yeah. Your dad and I are going out shopping later!"Avery a
Shortly after, Robert came downstairs."Don't you have classes today?" Hayden asked."No. Hayden, don't you have something to do this morning?" Robert yawned. "Where's your son?""The paternity test results aren't released yet," Hayden reminded him."But we all know that's your son! I've never touched a woman before, so I can't create a baby out of thin air," Robert said with amusement. "Hayden, are you still struggling to accept reality?"Hayden ignored his brother's mockery."Hayden, it's normal for a man your age to be a father, so why are you having such a hard time accepting this? I would be quite happy to know that I've become a father! Our parents have been dreaming of having grandchildren, after all," Robert said with a smile, not understanding why Hayden seemed unhappy."Eat your breakfast," Hayden said, not wanting to continue the discussion.Robert was a child in Hayden's eyes, and he would remain so no matter how old he became.Robert had never been through hardshi
Hayden ordered a cup of coffee and turned his attention back to Shelly."I don't like to owe others," he said. "Name a price!""You want to buy my son?" Shelly asked in confusion. "Are you trying to say that you won't let me see him again?""No. I can arrange it if you want to see him. I don't have the right to stop my son from seeing his mother.""Why are you offering me money, then?" Shelly asked. "I was the one who willingly gave birth to him and delivered him to you. You don't owe me anything!""You were pregnant for ten months and had to go through labor all alone. I'm offering to compensate you for the hardship you had to endure," said Hayden. "Oh... The pregnancy didn't really affect me that much because I worked during that time as well," Shelly said honestly. "If you want to compensate me in any way, just treat our child right.""Naturally, I won't mistreat my own son," Hayden promised."You aren't married yet, so I'm sure he won't be mistreated." Shelly was mainly co
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