Nathan's expression grew serious as he pressed, "So, what's your plan?"Frustrated, Jennifer ran her fingers through her hair and said, "What do you think I should do? Honestly, I have no idea. I've always wanted to get back at Rachel and Maxwell. I thought seeing them suffer would make me feel better. But now that I have the chance, I…""You couldn't bring yourself to do it," Nathan uttered, picking up where she left off. "But there's no need to agonize over it. Just do what feels right to you. Being compassionate isn't a flaw. You're not like Rachel. Your kindness and integrity are the very reasons I admire you."Jennifer gave a wry smile and remarked, "I didn't expect you to be so understanding of my decision, considering Maxwell is your romantic rival."Nathan embraced her, his voice warm and reassuring. "Rival or not, it doesn't matter. The main difference between us and them is that we have our boundaries. We never set out to harm others."So, Jennifer, if you've decided t
"Do I need to personally escort you into the car?" Simon asked, his tone as condescending as ever.Initially, Laura had thought that he was there to apologize, but it was clear now she had been mistaken. Of course, Simon would never apologize. She glared at him and let out an exasperated huff. "Mr. Moore, are you here just to relieve your stress again?"Simon paused for a moment before letting out a chuckle. Even though her face was flushed with anger, her scowl only seemed to enhance her charm.Laura was seething, feeling a strong urge to slap him. Why did he always remain so composed, no matter how furious she became? It was as if her emotions had no impact on him. Even now, he still managed to laugh.What was she to him, anyway? He never seemed to care if she was miserable; all that mattered to him was whether she could satisfy his needs.As Laura stood her ground, Simon took her hand and guided her into the car. In an unusually tender gesture, he buckled her seatbelt. His
Simon had always despised the chaotic and noisy atmosphere of areas around the university."If you're hungry, I'll take you somewhere else to eat. This place isn't very clean. Let's go," he said, pulling Laura's hand. "In the future, avoid places like this."Still fuming, Laura yanked her hand away and shot back, "Mr. Morre, my family's bankrupt, and we've been struggling for five years. Being able to afford grilled meat is already a luxury for us!"If you think this place is beneath you, you can always go to a high-end restaurant. There's no need to make me feel like I'm lowering your standards!"For some reason, Simon found her outburst amusing, as long as she didn't insist on leaving him.At that moment, the barbecue stand owner brought over the grilled meat and a bottle of beer. Laura took a piece of meat and started eating with gusto. She then poured herself a glass of beer and enjoyed it, seemingly indifferent to Simon's disapproving gaze. Yet, despite her carefree demeano
Only then did Simon realize that the woman was a junior assistant from his firm. The woman looked like she'd stumbled upon some big secret and blurted out, "It's really you! I never imagined you'd come here for a meal."Simon cleared his throat and awkwardly replied, "I'm just meeting a friend."Without further explanation, he grabbed Laura's hand and quickly led her away from the barbecue stand.Laura's cheeks burned. The whole situation made her feel like they were a couple caught sneaking around.Once inside the car, Simon noticed the shift in her expression. It didn't take him long to guess what was on her mind. His expression darkened as he warned coldly, "Laura, I'll let you laugh and joke around, but don't you dare start thinking about things you shouldn't."The happiness Laura had felt just moments before shattered in an instant. His words were like a slap back to reality. In a cool voice, she responded, "I get it. You made it clear from the beginning—we're just using
Meanwhile, Caleb's frustrations grew as the house seemed to empty out more each minute. Jennifer had packed up most of their things, and in just a couple of days, they would be leaving Haven City.How would he ever find a way to reunite with Maxwell once they were gone?Caleb racked his brain to come up with a plan. Once everyone was asleep, he sneaked into Jennifer's room and took her phone to call Laura."Aunt Laura, it's me, Cal," he whispered, huddled on the balcony.Laura, taken aback by the call at this hour, asked, "Cal, why are you still awake? Where's your mom?""She's asleep, but I need a favor." Caleb bit his lip and continued, "Can you tell my mom that you want to take Cass and me out to play tomorrow? We'll talk more when we meet, okay?"Laura had always known Caleb was unusually clever for his age, and his secrecy only piqued her curiosity more. Since Simon would be attending Maxwell's wedding rehearsal the next day and she wasn't needed, she agreed to Caleb's req
Even with the wedding just a day away, Maxwell hadn't returned to the Lance residence that night. Rachel had heard that he was out drinking with friends.She gazed at the celebratory decorations around the villa, but rather than joy, an overwhelming emptiness settled over her. Maxwell's reluctance to marry her was unmistakable.Still, Rachel had no regrets. If it hadn't been for Jennifer, she and Maxwell would've already built a happy life together. Jennifer had taken too much from her.Standing before the mirror in her extravagant wedding gown, Rachel forced a smile and muttered, "In the end, Maxwell is still mine, and the title of Mrs. Lance belongs to me. Jennifer Yale, I've won."With only hours left until the ceremony, Rachel had finally arrived at the moment she had dreamed of for so long. However, it all felt surreal, like it had happened too easily. And yet, she was truly about to marry Maxwell. Tears of excitement welled in her eyes as she trembled with emotion.That ni
Nathan felt a sharp pang in his chest. He hadn't expected Caleb and Cassidy to be so resolute. It seemed that, despite all his efforts over the years, he couldn't compete with the innate bond they shared with Maxwell.At that moment, Jennifer, in a state of panic, shouted at Cassidy, "Will you please be quiet?"Startled by her mother's outburst, Cassidy burst into tears.Nathan could only try to calm Jennifer down, saying, "We need to go now. There's still some time before the wedding starts. Let's see if we can make it there in time to stop them."With that, they hurriedly left Laura's house, Cassidy in tow.Traffic in Haven City was as congested as ever. Jennifer's anxiety was overwhelming, and she felt a desperate urge to run straight to the wedding venue.Unfortunately, the distance was too great. Even if she ran, the ceremony would likely be underway by the time she arrived. What were Laura and Caleb planning?To help ease Jennifer's nerves, Nathan turned on the radio to
Laura understood that there was no turning back once she had started this. She yanked her hand from Simon's hold and told Michael, "You need to explain things to Maxwell immediately! The boy on stage is his biological son, while Rachel's child is illegitimate!"Simon stared at Laura in shock. "So, you brought this kid here to sabotage the wedding?"He couldn't believe it—this woman had the nerve to bring a stranger's child to ruin his best friend's wedding!Meanwhile, Michael had already sprinted to the stage to deliver the news.Rachel had gathered several bodyguards to control the chaos, and Maxwell was preparing to have Caleb removed from the stage. To him, it seemed like nothing more than a childish prank.At such a grand event, the stakes were high. If the wedding were ruined, it would be more than just an embarrassment. What would become of the Lance family's reputation?Rachel quietly sighed in relief, thinking the wedding could still proceed. But just then, Michael approa