Avery was stunned.Initially, the employees had been privately discussing the matter amongst themselves, but it was obvious last night. When Elliot arrived at the event, he could not keep his eyes off you," chuckled the vice president. Avery said, "Eric was also looking at me last night.""That's different. If the child is Eric's why would Elliot continue harping over you? Elliot is not the losing type," said the vice president. Avery turned on her laptop.The vice president continued, "Elliot boycotted Eric. So many big brands chose to cancel their contracts with Eric because they did not dare to defy Elliot. Only our company dared to take Eric on. Why? Well, because you are carrying Elliot's child."Last night, during the live stream, many of our shareholders called me. They wanted me to tell you to not act so rashly. They told me that Elliot would surely come after you, but look at today's headlines! I was laughing my head off!"Miss Tate, the scandal this time turned us in
"It's because you are an idiot." Elliot was drunk, so he did not mince his words. "I paid you three hundred million dollars. You could have done anything with it, and yet, you choose to involve yourself with Cole. That proves that you two are birds of a feather."His words had brutally hurt Zoe!Avery had reclaimed the three hundred million dollars!If Zoe still had the money, she would not have settled for using the child in her to into a relationship with Cole. Cole was the best man she could find at the moment.The bodyguard helped Elliot into his car. Soon, the Rolls-Royce disappeared into the dark night.Zoe raised her hand to wipe her tears away.Not far behind her, Cole had both hands in his pockets. He said coldly, "Zoe, look at yourself! You embarrass me! My uncle has long abandoned you, and yet, here you are appearing like a sad b*tch! The man that you need to please now is me!"Upon hearing his mocking words, Zoe turned around. "Cole, when I had money, you wouldn't
Chad could guess why Elliot was angry. He immediately said, "Avery did not want Layla to enter the entertainment industry. It was Layla who pleaded and insisted on trying it out. You know it too. Layla is so adorable. Few could truly refuse her.""Layla might be immature, but is Avery? Avery is her mother. She should guide her child not spoil her!" Elliot said sternly.Chad said, "If Layla were to ask you, could you truly refuse her?" Elliot's expressions darkened. "Let's not talk about whether I can do it or not. I realized that your loyalties are starting to lie somewhere else!"Chad immediately stated his stance. "Definitely not. I'm only putting myself in Avery's shoes. If Layla were to come and plead with me, I would definitely give in to her. After all, she is so adorable. I have never seen a cuter girl than her."Chad's ass-kissing instantly wiped away Elliot's anger. Elliot knew that Layla was adorable. After all, Layla looked like Avery. Avery had often made him angry,
On the way to the restaurant, Avery said to the bodyguard, "Do not tell anyone of my schedule here, not even Mike. Half his loyalties lie with Elliot now, and I don't like to be monitored. If anyone asks you about me, just say that I'm resting at home."The bodyguard nodded. "Miss Tate, I will not be bought."Avery raised her eyebrows and said in surprise, "Has anyone tried to buy you off?"The bodyguard was stunned for a while before nodding once more. "Elliot's assistant had tried to buy me off once, but I refused him." Avery gasped."Chad has already gotten Mike! How dare he still try to buy off my bodyguard!" thought Avery. "Elliot is really trying to get at me from all angles!" "I'm just carrying his child! Does he really have to worry this badly!" she thought. The more Elliot spied on her, the more she wanted to keep her location a secret.The car arrived at the restaurant, and Avery met with her former client. The client was overjoyed to see her. "Dr. Tate, my father is
Avery sat up in surprise. "Don't worry he just had a look at the program department. He didn't disturb Layla," said Mike, "Chad told me that he probably knows that Hayden and Layla are his children, but he is afraid of saying anything as he knows that they don't like him. Furthermore, you are not willing to let him reconcile with them, so he has been bearing the pain of being separated from them."Also, he does not want Layla to go into the entertainment industry," added Mike. "So please come back and distract him. If he were to make a scene at the program department one day, I won't be able to control the situation."Avery's head hurt. Due to the time difference, she had not gotten much sleep last night. She really did not want to board a plane today. "I can't head back today." Avery took a deep breath, "My head hurts. I'm planning to stay home and rest.""Oh, is that so! If you're uncomfortable, you should rest well," Mike said. "Why didn't you text me when you landed? I have
In Aryadelle, Elliot could not sleep. It was not because of Avery, but because of Layla.The program that Eric took Layla along with was an outdoor entertainment program. The entertainment program's main theme was to get celebrities to live together with ordinary kids, letting the celebrities experience being a father.They found a few non-celebrity kids, a mixture of boys and girls, but all very good-looking. Of course, in Elliot's eyes, none of the kids were as good-looking as Layla.The reason Elliot could not sleep was that he was afraid that by spending time with Eric, Layla would slowly treat Eric as her father! Back then, Elliot asked the director a lot of detailed questions on set. The director told him that the children would eat, stay, and play together with the celebrities, just like real parents bringing their children up.When he heard that, he was utterly disappointed.He wanted to kill the program. No. he wanted to kill Eric! If Layla insisted on partaking in this
The meeting went much smoother than expected. The patient's family understood clearly the risks that Avery stated. They only wished that Avery could help treat the patient. Even if the surgery failed, they would accept the outcome.After the meeting, Avery came out from the patient's home. She turned around and looked at the mansion behind her before entering the car with a heavy heart.The bodyguard reminded her to buckle her seatbelt before driving onto the wide road.Avery could not help but say, "Have you ever seen two people who were born in different countries yet looked alike?"The bodyguard said, "Miss Tate, I rarely travel. I barely know any foreigners.""Then, have you ever seen two unrelated people in the same country who look alike?" said Avery changing her question.The bodyguard thought for a while before saying, "I don't know many people, but I think situations like this do exist, only quite rare. I think I saw it on the news before. Miss Tate, why are you suddenly
"But I can't wait to go in and have a look!" said Nora. "Elliot, won't you allow me to follow you. I promise I won't cause any trouble. Also, as a fan of Dream City, I can give my opinions and suggestions once I have a look inside!"Elliot pondered her suggestion for a few seconds before agreeing.Once they had their safety helmets on, they followed the project manager onto the site.The progress manager gave them updates on every part of the site. He also kept them up to speed on the remaining projects and timelines. Nora listened attentively, and she would chime in occasionally. It was obvious that she was a true fan of Dream City."Nora, after Dream City is completed, I can transfer you here." Elliot thought that this decision would make her very happy, but there was no smile on Nora's face."Won't that mean I will be far from Chelsea?" she muttered. "Elliot, I can come here every week to have some fun, but please, don't transfer me here." Elliot noticed how flirty she was
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