Mike picked up a cup of water. "What happened to your boss? Please don't come looking for Avery every time he is in trouble—""He's dead." Chad felt uncomfortable.With a puff, Mike spurted water from his mouth. "Are you pulling my leg? Did you just say he died? How did he die?""I don't know. The internet said that he's dead."Mike was speechless. Seeing how Chad was almost in tears, he immediately placed the cup of water down and headed to his room."Don't worry. Let me ask Avery. I was on the phone with her yesterday afternoon. She said that her injury was not that bad anymore. She should be able to return in a few days. She didn't say that anything had happened to Elliot—""It happened early morning today." Chad followed Mike into his room. "We can't get to him or his bodyguard. I have been working with him for so many years. This is the first time that this has happened."Mike got his phone and called Avery. At the same time, he put it on loudspeaker.It was some time befo
At the mansion in the forest, Mike stopped the car and immediately walked over to the door. The bodyguard stopped him."I'm here to get Avery!" Mike said. "Your boss has died. Perhaps, you should start thinking about your next job." The bodyguard was stunned.At the staircase, the nanny was helping Avery down the stairs. Avery was leaving the place.Elliot died and Avery wanted to see him for the last time.When Mike saw Avery, he pushed the bodyguard away and strode in."Avery! I'm here to take you home!" Mike took over from the nanny and supported Avery.After helping Avery into the car, Mike looked at her leg. She was wearing loose pajamas, so he could not see her injury."You were limping just now, so I find it hard to believe that your injury are almost healed." Mike started the car with a frown. "I'll send you to the hospital once we get back downtown."Avery held onto the seatbelt with both hands. She felt lost."Avery. His lawyer… won't find faults with you, right?"
Would they need to visit their Dad's grave now that he was dead?"Go if you want. I'm not going," Hayden said coldly before returning to his classroom."Hayden, woo, woo… I miss Mommy. When is she coming back?" Layla quickly chased after him and held his arm."She should be back soon." Hayden had a feeling.Elliot was dead. Her Mommy did not need to worry about anything anymore.…Mike drove to Elizabeth Hospital and handed Avery to Wesley.When Avery saw Wesley, she asked, "Which hospital is he at?"Wesley replied, "At General Hospital. The latest news that I got was that they are still trying to resuscitate him. Don't worry." Wesley helped her onto the bed.After a while, Avery slowly came to her senses. "Wesley, did you say he is not dead?"Wesley sighed. "He had a cardiac arrest, but they've resuscitated him. They're still trying to make sure that he's alright."Avery let out a sigh of relief.Wesley pushed her to the emergency room. He used a pair of scissors and cut
The estate attorney looked at how confident Ben looked. He said, "After Mr. Foster's mother passed away, he had instructed me to make some changes."Ben said, "Oh?"The estate attorney said, "I'm not drinking nor am I having dinner. If there is any progress with Mr. Foster's condition, please inform me at once."Ben replied, "Okay, then. I'll walk you out."After the estate attorney left, he looked at the time. Without knowing it, it was already seven in the evening....After sleeping soundly for quite some time, Avery finally woke up. She was still in a daze. "Avery, let's go home!" Mike noticed that she was awake and said, "I just returned from General Hospital. Elliot isn't dead. He has been transferred into ICU. The media has crossed the line. Elliot isn't even dead and yet, they're so quick to declare him dead!" Mike helped Avery up. Avery returned to her senses immediately. "What time is it?"Mike helped Avery into the wheelchair. "It's almost eight. Are you hungry?
Ben stood by the bed and spoke to him.Elliot's face remained blank and emotionless despite Ben's words. Ben understood why.Elliot even dared to kill himself. Was there anything else that he could not let go of? There would be someone to take care of Shea even if he died.A moment later, the doctor arrived. After examining Elliot, the doctor said, "Mr. Foster, you're very weak. You need to stay in the hospital for treatment. If you feel any discomfort, please let me know immediately."Elliot closed his eyes.Ben dragged the doctor outside to talk to him."He should have passed the critical phase, right?" Ben asked.The doctor replied, "As long as he cooperates and follows the treatment plan, he'll be fine. However, he doesn't want to live, and that isn't good for him."Ben pursed his lips. "I'll think of something."An hour later, Ben brought Shea to the hospital. "Shea, your brother is terribly hurt. Could you go comfort him, please?"Shea blinked her eyes and furrowe
Tammy was afraid that Avery would misunderstand, and she immediately added, "Avery, if he doesn't want to come, that's up to him, but you have to come! You're my best friend. If you're not coming, I won't get married."Avery said, "I'll attend your wedding."Tammy let out a sigh of relief. "That's awesome! I heard you injured your leg. How is it? I had always thought of contacting you, but Elliot was still in bad shape then, and I was afraid that you would be in a bad mood. So, I didn't contact you.""My leg is much better.""That's good to hear. Let's go shopping tomorrow!""It did not heal very well." Avery looked at the injury on her leg. It was no longer wrapped in bandages, and the scar looked bad. Thankfully, she had bought quite a few long skirts in the past. So, she could easily hide the scar. "Then I'll come to visit you tomorrow. Don't worry. I won't ask you anything regarding Elliot," Tammy promised."Hmm."The next morning, before the two children headed for kind
At that moment, the guest that Avery mentioned arrived.A black Buick multi-purpose vehicle pulled up at the entrance.The car doors opened, and two bodyguards stepped out of the car. Tammy watched the commotion outside."Who is he? Why did he bring so many people along?!"Avery got up from the sofa. When she walked pass Tammy, she answered, "Eric Santos."After a few months of rehabilitation, Eric could finally stand up. He, accompanied by his family, came to pay Avery a visit. He wanted to thank her in person. Eric was dressed in black and white sportswear with a cap on his head. His face was covered by a mask and sunglasses.At one glance, it was difficult for others to see his facial features. However, his statuesque figure and charisma made him stand out from the rest of the crowd. He looked stunning!"Avery, can I scream?!" Tammy's body trembled a little.Avery said, "It's best you not. I'm afraid that neighbors would call the police."Tammy suppressed the urge.Eric
At noon, Eric had lunch at Avery's before leaving."Avery, go and rest, and then go for your physical examination in the afternoon. I'll take the kids out for some fun. What do you think about that?" Tammy had noticed that the weather was rather pleasant. She did not want to stay home. "I'll bring the kids back home by six."Avery saw how much the children wanted to go out. Naturally, she did not disagree with Tammy's suggestion."Tammy, would it be troublesome for you?"Tammy said, "It's no trouble. They are not babies that I need to carry. I'm not tired at all if it's taking them out to play!" Avery got the bodyguard to follow them. After sending them off, Avery returned to the house and shut the main door.There was a white box on the coffee table in the living area. Eric had left it behind. It was his gift to her.He said that it was his lucky charm. It was not anything expensive. He only hoped that it would bring her luck.Avery could not bear to refuse him, as the gift w
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