Zion had his doubts and sighed reproachfully. "If you were wronged, I would seek justice for you. But how could you let Maxwell go to such extremes? Your grandmother is well into her old age, yet she's being locked up. Even if she's released, society will frown upon her. She's still my mother!""What about me? Am I not your daughter?" Jennifer said with a heavy heart. "I didn't push Bridget. And where were you when Grandma locked me up and wanted to starve me to death? Did she view me as her granddaughter then?"Zion's tone grew stern. "Jennifer, this is our family's affair. It shouldn't be causing such a stir. Listen to me, have Maxwell release your grandmother. I can't bear to see your grandmother suffering in prison at her age.""Dad, I can't do anything about it." Jennifer looked disappointedly at Zion. "Besides, I don't want to."Zion grew anxious. He had only been away for two days, and the Yale family was in chaos, with some in prison and others having miscarriages.He look
Jennifer's heart ached. She had a soft spot for her father after all. But thinking of the injustice she had suffered, she asked through teary eyes, "Dad, do you know people can die from heat stroke? Moreover, I was locked in a dark room and forced to confess to things I didn't do. She has never shown any mercy toward me."Despite Jennifer's pleas, Zion only thought that she was conspiring with Maxwell to kill Agnes.He shook his head sorrowfully. "Jennifer, you've changed. How could you be so heartless? In that case, we're no longer a family! You're just the daughter-in-law of the Lance family. We can't possibly match your status or offend you!"With that, Zion turned and left.Hearing this, Jennifer's legs went weak, and she almost fell. Fortunately, Maxwell caught her and softly asked, "Are you okay?"Jennifer stared blankly in the direction Zion left as tears fell silently from her eyes. She choked, "What... What did my dad say? He... doesn't want me anymore... My dad doesn't w
"If you really wish to thank me, then you'll finish the food." Maxwell took the bowl and brought a spoonful of food to Jennifer's mouth. "Be a good girl and have some."Jennifer hesitated and gently pushed his spoon away. "Maxwell, what are we... really?"The sorrow in her eyes was evident as she said hoarsely, "My dad doesn't want me anymore. And soon, neither will you. You're being so good to me now, just like my dad was. But if you leave me too, I'll be even more miserable."Maxwell understood what she meant. But at the moment, he couldn't make any promises to her. After all, she hadn't been completely honest with him and told him who the man she had been hiding was.Maxwell hardened his heart. "Rachel has depression. I... can't abandon her."Jennifer's chest tightened at his word. She didn't know if Rachel really had depression. But it was most likely an act, right?But none of that mattered now. What mattered was that Maxwell was willing to believe her."Jennifer, even if w
But Maxwell was in a good mood. A smile played on his lips as he looked at Jennifer's shy appearance. He almost lost control of himself again.Jennifer dared not look at him, allowing him to wash her as she buried her flushed face into his chest.Just then, Maxwell whispered into her ears, "Jennifer, you're so beautiful." His enchanting voice sent shivers down her spineFinally, he wrapped Jennifer in a towel and carried her back to bed.Thinking about how shamelessly she clung to him tonight, Jennifer felt regretful and dared not look into his eyes.But Maxwell trapped her against the bed, gazing deeply at her. "Jennifer, I… am glad you wanted it today."Jennifer caught on and immediately covered herself with the blanket. "Stop!""Alright, I'll stop," Maxwell smirked and lay beside her, pulling her into his arms. "Go to sleep."After their activities earlier, Jennifer felt drowsy and fell soundly asleep in his embrace.…The next day, Maxwell went to the company early in t
Maxwell frowned at Jennifer's thanks and gently pinched her chin. "Why are you thanking me for something so trivial?"He pecked her lips. "I really have to go now. Stay home and behave yourself."Jennifer looked at his departing figure reluctantly. Although she didn't want him to leave, she also didn't want to delay his work and act spoiled.…Maxwell had a meeting in the morning at Lance Group and left his phone in the office.When he returned, he found his phone had been blown up with missed calls from the caretaker he hired for Rachel. Since Rachel was severely depressed, he hired someone to take care of her, ensuring her safety.Maxwell's heart dropped at the missed calls and immediately called back. "Why did you make so many calls? Did something happen to Rachel?""Mr. Lance, bad news! Ms. Walker just tried swallowing a whole bottle of sleeping pills. Luckily, I managed to take it away from her!" The caretaker, Lilia, said nervously, "Ever since you went back home, Ms. Walk
Maxwell said faintly, "Haven't you had insomnia lately? Get some sleep. I'll handle this myself."For some reason, Maxwell had never done anything with Rachel, even before Jennifer was in the picture. He always said that it would be extremely disrespectful and irresponsible of him to take Rachel before marrying her.But Rachel hated his way of thinking. Because of this, she felt that she had never truly gotten Maxwell's heart."Maxwell..." Rachel's voice was soft and pleading. "It's only right for a wife to help her husband with his shower. I... should learn to be a good wife in advance, don't you think so?"But Maxwell didn't relent. "I'm not used to having someone with me when I bathe. Be a good girl and go out."Rachel clenched the bath sponge tightly and forced a smile. "Take your time then. I... will leave first."She backed down despite her reluctance. Men didn't like forceful women after all!…Meanwhile, at the villa, Laura had just reminded Jennifer that the next day w
Maxwell didn't want to touch Rachel and said solemnly, "You're still feeling unwell. Let's focus on getting you better, then we can talk about other things, okay?""No, everything is fine as long as I have you." Rachel pleaded, "Take me, please?"Maxwell avoided her earnest gaze. "Stop, Rachel. I'm going to the balcony to smoke. Hurry up and put your clothes on."With that, he walked toward the balcony."Maxwell!" Rachel called out to him anxiously. "Why? Aren't men supposed to lose control in front of the women they love? I've already presented myself to you. Why won't you even look at me? Is it because I'm not as important to you as before? Or do you have someone else in your heart and simply don't wish to touch me again?"Maxwell halted his steps and turned to her. "Rachel, you weren't so aggressive before. Why does it matter if I touch you now? How am I supposed to feel if I slept with you before marrying you? You used to value your purity and status. Do you not care about tho
Jennifer groaned self-deprecatingly. "Perhaps we both had expectations that were too high. He never remembers my birthday. It's always been like this.""But if he wasn't preparing a gift for you, why would he ask if you liked that necklace?" Laura comforted her. "What if that shameless woman was sabotaging your relationship and causing misunderstandings between you two? You still have the entire day left. Let's see what happens next."Jennifer knew that Laura was just trying to comfort her. But she was sure Maxwell wouldn't come.But to avoid worrying Laura, she excused herself and went to bed.Early the next morning, Laura arrived at her door with a gift."Surprise!" Laura presented a limited-edition handbag to Jennifer. "Do you like it?"Jennifer accepted the gift with a smile. "I like it."Even though she had been through many hardships recently, today was her birthday, and she forced herself not to let her mind wander.She wanted to have a happy birthday.Laura asked cauti