Chapter 557


    In the study of the Shurmer residence, Waverly threw the newspaper onto the table angrily and yelled


    at Steven and Zeke, “Look at this! Should we even let her return to the family? She embezzled


    donations from the public, and now, the entire world is boycotting her. How do you n to protect her?”


    Steven narrowed his eyes, and his gaze fell upon Zeke, who sat beside him.


    Zeke reached up to massage his temples. Although his head ached, determination could be seen in his


    eyes.


    “We should proceed with the press conference. I''ll call Bay immediately and have her get to the venue.


    We can''t give up on her because of such news. Besides, this looks like someone had set her up. She


    would never embezzle donations.”


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    Waverly smacked the table and snapped, “Things havee to this, yet you still want to protect her.


    Are you trying to piss me off, Zeke? Fine. You can let her return to the Shurmer family, but kick me out


    first. I don''t want to watch her ruin the Shurmer family name.”


    “Don''t say that, Waverly.” Steven sighed as he stared at his wife in dissatisfaction. “I know you''re


    reluctant to let Zoey go, but Bay is our biological daughter. I also know you have many unhappy


    moments together, but you shouldn''t hold grudges against each other.”


    Waverly red at him, not wanting to take a step back. Her voice was firm as she said, “Whatever. If


    she returns to the Shurmer family today, then I''ll leave. Do as you see fit.”


    The phone on the table rang just as Zeke was about to say, “Leave, then.”


    He picked it up and saw that it was a call from Bailey.


    “Bay, I was just about to call you and have you rush to the venue of the press conference.”


    It was silent on the other end of the call for a moment until Bailey''s cold voice rang out. “Zeke, I''m sure


    your mother must be doing everything she can to stop you from holding the press conference. She''s


    the elder of the family. Don''t ruin your rtionship with her because of me. Let''s dy the press


    conference. After all, there''s a scandal linked to me at the moment. We''ll talk about the press


    conference another day.”


    “Bay, are you—”


    “Zeke, I know what you want to say. Thank you, but you don''t need to worry about me. Artemis will


    protect me. Don''t let me be a burden to the Shurmer family, okay? I''ll feel guilty, and I won''t be


    happy even if I return to the family.”


    Zeke opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, he gave up and sighed in


    resignation.


    “Since you''ve put it that way, it would seem as if I''m forcing you if I insist on the press conference. But


    it''s fine. I feel relieved to know that Artemis will protect you. Take care of yourself. Let me know if you


    have any problems.”


    “Okay.”


    After ending the call, Zeke looked at Waverly and said in an icy tone, “That girl is more mature than you


    think. You don''t need to throw a tantrum. She gave up oning home. From today onward, I''m afraid


    whatever tiny bit of affection the two of you had is now gone. I hope you don''t regret it in the future.”


    Waverly frowned slightly as mixed emotions shed past her eyes.


    Am I in the wrong? No, I''m not. I raised and cared for Zoey for the past twenty or so years. It''s only


    fitting that I stand by her side.


    In a dimly lit bedroom at the Hoffman residence, Juliana slowly opened her eyes. It was dark outside.


    The entire mansion was engulfed by darkness.


    “Are you awake?” A raspy and maic voice drifted into her ears, snapping her out of her daze.


    She regained consciousness, and the day''s happenings slowly shed through her mind.


    She remembered taking an abortifacient and passing out because of the intense pain.


    Huntley... Did he know I was pregnant?


    A murderous glint shed across her beautiful eyes as she jumped out of bed and shot a re at


    Huntley, who was sitting on the couch.


    “So you knew?”


    Huntley narrowed his eyes and did not answer her question as he muttered, “So you weren''t kidding


    the other day. You really slept with Zeke and even got pregnant. Juliana, do you know what the


    consequences would be if the family were to find out about this?”


    Juliana''s eyes darkened and her face paled even more.


    If the family''s elders were to find out that she had gotten pregnant with a foreigner''s child, they would


    definitely kick her out. She would be like Wendy. By then, even her parents would not be able to protect


    her.


    “I should congratte you, then. You found my Achilles heel without much effort. You wanted to


    compete for power, right? Go to the elders'' meeting and report about me, then. Let them kick me out of


    the family. The entire Hoffman family will be under yourmand if I leave.”


    Huntley slowly got up and made his way toward the bed. He pursed his lips and asked, “Do you love


    Zeke that much? Apart from him, can no one catch your eye?”


    Juliana looked at him stubbornly and said firmly, “That''s right. I love him. It must be only him. I won''t


    marry anyone else. I would rather be alone for the rest of my life if I can''t have him.”


    Huntley was rendered speechless.


    He lowered his head and his expression turned gloomy.


    She''s really forgotten everything. To her, all our memories together are nothing but a scenic view along


    the route.