"If there is a next life, I hope that you will never see Shea or I. We have made things difficult for you."Still no response. There was nothing left in death. All the memories, hatred, desire, and reluctance vanished when the heart fell silent. No one would force him to get married and have children in the future. No one would miss him or worry whether he was eating enough or staying warm enough, or whether his work was tiring him or not.A moment later, Cole rushed into the hospital. When he heard of his grandmother's death, he instantly lost it and sobbed! "How could Grandma die just like that! Yesterday, she was nagging me to get a girlfriend!" wailed Cole. He took Rosalie's phone. "I spoke to Grandma's nanny. She said that before Grandma fell, she was on a call, so I brought her phone over."Elliot accepted the phone with reddened eyes. He turned on the phone and pulled up the call history.On the screen, a familiar name suddenly appeared. It was as if someone had ch
Elliot's question made Avery furrow her brows.What was he talking about? He was asking her about what happened between her and his mother? That was strange! Why did he not just ask his mother? Even stranger was the fact that Rosalie had not told him her findings? More than an hour had passed, why had she not told him yet?Avery picked up her glass of water and took a sip. She forced herself to calm down."Why don't you ask your mother this question?" As Avery asked that, she started to suspect something was amiss.Something must have happened that prevented Rosalie from telling Elliot the truth."My mother is dead." Elliot's breath was heavy. He said bitterly, "You are the last person she spoke to before her death. I want to know what the two of you were talking about." Avery's hand which held the glass swayed! She felt dizzy and quickly put down the glass.She muttered, "Your mother has passed away? What happened?""Answer my question! What did the two of you talk about!
On the other end of the line, Avery heard Elliot's command. She sneered and said, "Don't trouble your bodyguard. Where are you now? I'll come right over."Elliot waited in the hospital. He was still gripping Rosalie's phone. The veins on his forehead popped. His entire body stiffened! He was determined to make Avery tell him everything his mother had said on the phone on her death bed. He would not let his mother die like that without trying to know the cause of her death. Henry cautiously walked over to Elliot and said, "Elliot, Mother is gone. Should we arrange for her funeral?"Elliot barked, "Have an autopsy done first!"He wanted to confirm if murder could be ruled out! Although his mother had high blood pressure, her recent health checkup had shown that she was considerably healthy. Her sudden fall was rather suspicious.Henry nodded. "Okay, I'll go look for the doctor."Cole was standing at his father’s side, and he supported his mother with his arms.He had to keep
Avery did not feel anything when she heard Zoe's revelation. She was Elliot's enemy. She had never held out a candle that Elliot might believe her. "Miss Sanford. Your breath stinks. Has no one ever told you that?" Avery raised her hand and covered her nose.Zoe's expression turned sinister. She wanted to yell at Avery, but she did not dare open her mouth!With a ding, the elevator stopped. Its doors slowly slid open.Avery was the first to come out of the elevator. Elliot was standing nearby, and his eyes lit up when he saw her. He strode over to her. He walked over and grabbed Avery by the arm and dragged her around the corner.Zoe saw the two of them pass her by. She remained in the same spot, looking at Avery.She saw Avery shrugging Elliot's arm off. Then, she heard Avery speak, "Your mother was the one who called me. What we talked about had nothing to do with you! Why don't you investigate your mom's death? Do you have no other solutions than trying to find fault with m
Zoe cried loudly. "Avery! I have never seen such a shameless woman like you! You twist facts and blame it on me! You said that I did it. Why would I be so crazy to do that!""Yes! You are crazy!" Avery calmly looked at Zoe, who was still putting on a show. "You don't have to be smug. Your act will be exposed one day.""What act! Avery! Tell me! What act?!" Zoe pounced on Avery. Avery swerved toward Elliot and avoided Zoe. She did not want to fight with a lunatic nor get her hands dirty.Elliot gave her a cold glance and blocked Zoe."Zoe, you're in the hospital!" he reminded her. "I still have unfinished business with her. You will set aside your feud!" Then, he grabbed Avery's arm and headed to the elevator! Zoe watched them leave, and she immediately stopped crying! Although it was all an act, she had really wanted to hit Avery. Cole silently walked over and growled, "Zoe, I think you and I are not a match. I can't keep up with your viciousness."Zoe looked around and saw
The black Rolls-Royce did not stop till they were out of the city. The cars on the road were few.Avery sat in the backseat, closing her eyes.After a long time, the car finally stopped. She opened her eyes and looked outside. She only saw a dense forest. It was foreign to her.She was confused. Where was she? Why did Elliot bring her there?"Where is this?" She looked up and asked Elliot."One of my holiday villas." He pushed the car door open and got down.Holiday villa? Elliot had definitely not brought her here for a holiday. Avery got down and followed him. They walked toward the mansion.The mansion was in a classic gothic-styled building. The ash green building in the middle of the forest was eerie. Avery felt as if she was not walking into a holiday villa but a prison.She turned around and saw Elliot's bodyguard following closely behind. At that moment, she was truly a sitting duck.After entering the mansion, the open area made her furrow her brows. The decor was d
How had she treated him? His forgiveness and mercy seemed like a joke.After a short contemplation, Elliot turned around. The bodyguard immediately understood what Elliot meant and took Avery away! The hall instantly fell into pin-drop silence! Avery did not cry or make a fuss. She just disappeared from his line of sight. Like all those years ago, she quietly left him. …The bodyguard took her to an underground cellar.The room was dim. With the light of dusk, she could see that the underground cellar had not been renovated. They were walking on cement and steel. Strange sounds kept ringing in their ears.There was a nauseating coppery smell that clung to the air!After walking for five minutes, the bodyguard shoved her forward! Avery was caught off guard, and she fell to the ground.She came into contact with something sticky. Fear licked her. Grass. She had touched grass, but the grass was covered in something sticky. It smelt foul.Avery frowned and she quickly pulled
Splash! Cold water hit Avery in the face. She came around! The wound on her head was so painful she silently gasped."Not dead yet." The bodyguard who splashed her with water threw the bucket aside. He said, "We don't see people dying in dramas from running into a wall, right? Hehe! No one dies that easily!""What should we do next? This woman is stubborn. If we don't do something harsher, she won't talk."The other bodyguard nodded.Avery gritted her teeth and looked at them coldly. All of her fear in her was converted to a never-ending flow of resentment. The more Elliot treated her this way, the more she would not tell him! Even if he skinned her with his bare hands! Even if she dies, she would never tell him who her children's father is! Allowing the children to enter an orphanage was better than having the devil for a father!The two bodyguards were talking amongst themselves in hushed tones. Then one came over, grabbed her with one hand, and dragged her forward."Miss
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