Elliot and Zoe were getting engaged in a week.As Elliot's ex-wife, Avery certainly did not have to get involved in any of his affairs.Mrs. Scarlet took Shea home at 3 p.m. after her checkup.Avery drove the car to the office.In the week that she was abroad, Tate Industries had issued refunds to every customer who had returned their products.Thanks to the quality scandal, all the orders that were made around the new year were canceled.Not only was the company suffering losses from the refunds, but they also had to face the danger of not having any new orders. This was a fatal blow to any business.A company with no stable funding might not last for long and would soon have to declare bankruptcy.Everyone at Tate Industries was living in constant fear of losing their jobs.When Avery arrived at the office, a few of the department heads immediately approached her."What do we do now, Miss Tate?""We have no new orders and the workshop downstairs is closed. Emotions are r
Elliot hung up the phone with an ominous look on his face and stormed out of his office.Not just anybody could get their hands on sleeping pills.Where did these ones come from?The moment the black Rolls-Royce pulled up into Elliot's front yard, Mrs. Cooper took Shea back to her room.When Elliot walked into the living room, Mrs. Scarlet handed him the test results."You took Shea to the hospital for a checkup?" Elliot asked as he glanced at Mrs. Scarlet.Mrs. Scarlet averted his gaze and did not dare meet his eyes.Avery had instructed her not to tell Elliot that it had been her who had taken Shea to the hospital if Elliot were ever to ask. "It was Miss Tate," Mrs. Scarlet said as she gave in under the pressure of Elliot's glare. "Shea insisted on going to see Miss Tate's children today—""Avery's back?" Elliot said, interrupting her."She got back this morning," said Mrs. Scarlet. "She didn't want anything to do with this, but I begged her to check on Shea because Shea's
Shea was tidying her desk with Mrs. Cooper's help.Elliot's Adam's apple bobbed in his throat as guilt overcame him.These past few days, he had told Shea to get more rest every time she complained of dizziness.He did not expect sleeping pills to be the cause of her discomfort.If Avery had not taken her to the hospital for the checkup, who knows how long she would have continued taking the pills.Elliot felt grateful toward Avery, but he did not know how to express his thanks.The first thing that Mrs. Cooper did the next day was to go to Avery's house. Avery was surprised and quickly invited Mrs. Cooper into her home."I'm sorry for showing up without notice, Avery," Mrs. Cooper said as she handed two food containers to her. "I made some of your favorite pickled vegetables, so I wanted to bring them to you.""Thank you! Why did you come by this early?" Avery said as she poured a glass of water for her guest."To be honest, Master Elliot was the one who asked me to come by
Five days later, Elliot showed up at the Sterling Group office at ten in the morning as usual."Your engagement is tomorrow, Sir. Don't you want to take the day off?" asked Chad as he greeted Elliot."I don't," Elliot said as he walked through his office doors.Chad followed him closely."Sir, I heard from Mike that they've successfully talked Bohmer Holdings into starting a new company here in Aryadelle to supply high-end lenses to them.""If I'm not mistaken, doesn't Bohmer Holdings work with Alpha Technologies?""That's right. It shows what a good relationship Miss Tate has with the owner of Bohmer Holdings. If not for her, they would not have set up a new company in Aryadelle," theorized Chad. "I looked into the head of Bohmer Holdings and found something interesting."What is it?" Elliot asked as his curiosity got the better of him."The current head of Bohmer Holdings is the son of Professor James Hough's cousin," said Chad, reporting the findings of his recent investigat
"Layla's dizzy, Mommy. She'll be fine after she gets some rest," Hayden said. "You don't need to worry.""I see… That's good. Take care of your sister.""I will."After she hung up, Avery did not return to the office.She continued to drive toward the house.She had come to the conclusion that the children were not at home. If she had told Hayden that she was on her way home, the children would have immediately made their way home. She would quietly return home and give another call to Hayden if they were indeed not there!Avery thought that the children were using sickness as an excuse to do something in secret.Layla was more innocent and did not have conniving thoughts. Her flaw was that she was a little too obedient when it came to Hayden. Considering Hayden's history of "bad behavior", Avery could not help but have an ominous feeling inside her heart.She pulled up in front of Starry River Villa, then rushed toward the front door.She keyed in the security code on t
"You're a kid, too!" Layla exclaimed as her curiosity escalated."My eyes were dirty after I saw it. Do you want to dirty your eyes, too?"Layla shook her head.She was curious, but she decided not to see whatever it was after hearing Hayden's words."Mommy wants to hire a bodyguard for us," Layla said, changing the subject. "We can't go around freely once we have a bodyguard.""When that happens, you'll be in charge of distracting the bodyguard while I move alone."Layla hesitated, then said, "If Dirtbag Dag really marries that Sanford lady, then we shouldn't go looking for him again! We should just act as if we don't have a dad!"Hayden glanced at his innocent sister, then said assuredly, "He won't marry her.""Why not?""She's not a good woman.""Daddy isn't a good man either! Wouldn't they be perfect together?"Hayden did not have a response to Layla's words.He suddenly felt like his sister was the smartest person in the world.He should allow Elliot Foster to play th
No matter how vicious the customers had been, none of them could resist the temptation of getting a brand new drone meant for professionals for free.The entrance to Tate Industries was soon crowded with returning customers.Avery did not leave the office until 9 p.m. that night.She got in her car and rushed home.The children should be asleep by now.Once everything was settled, she wanted to stay home and spend more time with them.Avery's phone suddenly rang.She glanced at the screen, then put on her bluetooth earphones and answered the call."Avery! Have you seen what they're saying on social media? I'm so mad!" Tammy said angrily on the other end of the line. "You were kind enough to practically give out free drones to your previous customers, but a bunch of trolls are still insulting you online!"Avery had already expected this would happen.Shaun had told her that as long as she did not share their core technology he would make sure that she would not be able to run
Just moments ago, Eric Santos, who Elliot had been searching for far and wide, finally appeared on social media!As a once-formidable king of pop, his accident on stage three years ago was the biggest tragedy of his life!Since then, he disappeared from the limelight.Everyone had assumed that he was dead.Even so, his diehard fans spent every day leaving comments and liking his social media posts in hopes of a miracle.In the end, a miracle finally happened!Eric Santos uploaded a new post on his social media page at 6.55 a.m. that morning.[Dear friends. It's been three years. How have you all been? I've been well, but I've felt a little lonely. I bought a Storm Series drone last year. Every day I flew it to faraway places, and with it, I got some exciting footage with each trip made. It made me feel like I was immersed in a city glowing with fireworks. I'm very grateful for its company. To me, my drone was not a cold machine, but an old friend. Now, my dear friend is going th
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