Avery forcefully stuffed the bag in Elliot's hands. "Elliot, the child just moved in my tummy. He can now hear every word you say." Elliot looked at her in shock. He felt as though someone had just shocked him. "Can I touch your stomach?" he asked hoarsely."The baby isn't moving now. He is still quite small, and he doesn't move around quite a lot." This was her second pregnancy, and it was different when compared to her first one. During her first pregnancy, she had been very afraid of telling him about her pregnancy. So, she had to hold everything in and suffer through it on her own. Fear had overpowered the joys of motherhood. However, this time, she was able to fully enjoy her pregnancy. Elliot placed his large hands on her stomach, and the warmth from his hands warmed her. She suddenly tensed. Perhaps the child in her sensed her nervousness, so he kicked her tummy!"He moved again!" Avery could not help but exclaim."I felt it!" Elliot was affected by it too. Instan
That vicious woman! How dare she gouged Zoe's eyeballs!Zoe was suddenly plunged into darkness! She was blind! She could no longer go out and work. Her life was completely ruined!Filled with disappointment and bitterness, all she wanted to do was die. She could not see anything, and now, even death was a luxury!Elliot had heard about what had happened that night.Henry had called him and roughly explained the situation to him. He had to tell Elliot about it because the matter concerned Avery. "Zoe is very unstable. When she's asleep, she's fine but once she wakes up, she starts screaming. She keeps saying that Avery gouged her eyeballs…"Elliot said firmly, "I pity her, but Avery would not do such a thing.""Yes, I didn't think Avery would do that, but I'm worried for Zoe. She is still pregnant with Cole's child. Although the child is not affected right now, if her mental state continues to deteriorate, I'm afraid that it would affect the child." Henry kept sighing."I'll co
Zoe shook her head. "I didn't see her, because when I came to my senses, my eyes had already been gouged out! It's so painful I want to die! I heard Avery say that this is what I deserve. I heard it clearly! Elliot, I won't lie to you! I have nothing now! I can't lie to you!""Her voice?" Elliot was stunned. "Are you sure you didn't mishear?""Impossible! I didn't make a mistake. I didn't make a mistake because I hate her so much!" said Zoe as she gripped Elliot's hand. She gripped his hand as if he were her lifeline. "Elliot I wouldn't lie to you! Even if I did you would probably immediately find out about it! I beg you! I beg you… please, take pity on me." Elliot looked at Zoe's quivering lips and pale face. His heart was extremely heavy.His instincts told him that Zoe was not lying, yet another voice in his mind kept reminding him that Avery would not do such a thing!"Zoe, I'll look into it, " Elliot promised. "But before we get to the bottom of it, rest more and get well so
Avery involuntarily took two steps backward.Her eyes were unfocused. She could not believe that such a thing had happened! What shocked her, even more, was that Zoe had blamed it on her! "He thinks I did it just because I fought with Zoe? How absurd!" she thought. "Avery!" Elliot looked at her as she retreated into the house. His heart constricted tightly. "Answer my question!""Elliot, I hate you! I hate you!" shrieked Avery. "Every time just when I start to feel that you are a good person, you turn around and show me how despicable you are!" Elliot saw Avery yelling at him. He stood there shocked. Raindrops pelted his back, and the cold pierced him. However, his gaze was hot and passionate. The mixture of ice and fire caused him to lose it. He strode toward her."You didn't do it, right?" Elliot walked toward her and grabbed her thin shoulders tightly. His voice was hoarse, "You are not this type of person. Avery, I know that you're not this type of person! I'm asking you
Elliot watched her as she walked to him. Before he could even think, he was standing in front of her. He picked her up in his arms and walked toward the house.Although Avery had barely been in the rain, her face was wet from the rain or more accurately, her tears. "Avery, I did not suspect you. You said that you didn't do it, and I believe you." Elliot placed Avery down on the sofa. He bent down and said patiently, "Zoe is so sure that you harmed her. If she reported it to the police, the police will surely come looking for you. I don't want you to be questioned like a criminal. If we can find an alibi for you, the police won't pester you."Avery looked at Elliot's wet and wretched face. She could not get angry."I went to Wesley's today," said Avery tonelessly. "I was at his house the entire day.""You were in his house the entire day?" The tenderness in Elliot's eyes instantly vanished. He sounded nervous."Yes. Are you going to ask what I was doing in his house?" Avery's c
A man and woman staying at home the entire day. The woman said that it was a private matter, so she could not tell anyone about it. How simple could their relationship be?Elliot knew that the relationship was anything but simple. "It's borderline fantasy!" he thought."I know." Elliot heard his own voice. There were no emotions in them. He did not even care about the situation anymore. He felt helpless. Avery had stayed in another man's house for the entire day, and she refused to tell him her reason for doing so. There was nothing he could do. He could try prying her mouth open, but he knew that even if he did do that, she would not tell him a thing.The police were at the hospital, and they notified Zoe about Avery's alibi. Zoe did not believe them. "I'm blind right now. I can't see anything. It can't be whatever you said it is! I don't believe you!" Zoe said agitatedly."Miss Sanford, you can get your family to look at the evidence," said the police officer as he glanced at
"It was pouring last night. Why did you open the door as wide as you did?" Mike had already guessed the actual reason, and he just did not want to be explicit about what he actually thought. He would not persist if she did not want to talk about it. "Zoe said she heard my voice as her eyes were gouged out," said Avery in a voice like ice. The expression on her face was glacial. "What a poor lier she is? And yet, she still had people who were willing to believe her." Mike said, "Thank goodness you have Wesley to confirm your alibi. But what were you doing at Wesley's yesterday?" "I was doing some work," Avery brushed off his question and said, "But no one would have believed me if I told them that.""Why would they not believe you? Do they think that you are in a relationship with Wesley? If that's the case you would have been visiting his house long ago," teased Mike. "But seriously, I like men like Wesley, but men like him tend to get into relationships with terrible women."
"I'm torturing her?" Elliot murmured. "Well, aren't you shameless?" he growled. "I'm shameless. You can blame this on me, but please don't view Avery through your narrow scope." Wesley sounded calm, and he was honest. "Avery approached me yesterday because she was looking for some of Professor Hough's notes. She wanted them because she was drawing up a treatment plan which she showed me yesterday so that I could give her my opinion on it. Although my medical skills are not as great as hers, theory-wise, I can still make do."Elliot's breathing turned heavy."Avery took on a case," Wesley continued, " and if you think that she's doing this just for the money, you're shallow. If you love her, can you should learn how to respect her!"Wesley rarely raised his voice at others. He was well-mannered and knew how to control himself. However, he could no longer remain calm with Elliot.After a short moment of silence, Elliot said, "Your so-called respect is just giving in without limits!
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