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    Emily and Connor quickly went to greet her.


    “Aunt Mary, the mountain paths are treacherous. Please be careful.” Emily softly reminded Mary,


    took the umbre from her hands, and gently held her arm.


    Mary patted Emily’s hand, her eyes twinkling with a loving smile. “Old as I may be, I’m still quite


    sturdy.”


    Connor also smiled and joined in the conversation. “Great–aunt, you look very well.”


    Mary watched him, affection evident in her eyes. “Connor, you’ve grown up so much.”


    She sighed sadly, “If only Ruby could have seen you grow up. How wonderful that would have


    been…”


    Connor listened silently, aplex emotion welling up inside him. He turned to look at his father,


    whose eyes were slightly red.


    Ray’s eyes were teary as he stared at the photograph on the gravestone, only moving aside when


    Mary approached to ce her own flowers.


    “My poor little Ruby, I’vee to see you.” Mary’s eyes reddened as she sighed deeply, “Next time,


    choose your man wisely. Don’t be fooled so naively again.”


    “Mary, Ray spoke up.


    “Don’t call me. You have no right!” Mary red at him, her tone cold and resentful.


    Ray stood quietly at the side, bearing Mary’s reproach and resentment. His heart grew heavier, but


    he understood that this was the consequence he had to bear.


    Years ago, he hade to Hilltown to invest in mining and had fallen head over heels for Ruby,


    hiding the fact that he had a family back in Femwood Valley. He pursued her fiercely.


    They even had a wedding celebration in Hilltown and spent some wonderful time together.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    However, just as he was basking in happiness, Sydney from Fernwood Valley confronted him. She


    exposed Ray’s lies, revealing the truth to Ruby.


    At that moment, Ruby’s world copsed. Her heart was tormented, and her trust in Ray instantly


    turned to ashes.


    She couldn’t ept this cruel reality, and her health deteriorated, eventually leading to her death


    from stomach cancer.


    That year, their


    son, Peter, had just turned five. Ray was heartbroken, filled with endless remorse, and it took all his


    effort to bring Peter back to the Passos family.


    Fairmount.


    Cam returned to the office and was about to sit down with a cup of coffee when she saw Howard


    approaching with a huge bouquet of


    roses.


    Howard smiled, “Cam, I passed by the florist and thought these flowers suited you perfectly, so I


    got them for you.”


    Colleagues in the executive office pretended to be busy with their work, but their ears were all


    perked up.


    Go for it, Mr. Howard!”


    Say yes, Cam! He’s a catch!‘


    Cam was stunned. Could this be the legendary bouquet of 99 red roses?


    She paused for a few seconds and said, “Thank you for the gesture, Mr. Howard, but I really…”


    Before she could finish, Howard cut her off. “Cam, I don’t want to hear a no for these flowers. It


    would make me very sad.


    Cam frowned. Why should she care about whether he’s sad or not?


    Mr. Howard, perhaps there’s someone else more suited to receive these flowers


    Howard chuckled. There’s no one more suitable than you. I just want to give them to you


    jack to reality, Interrupting him. “Mr. Howard, I truly appreciate your admiration, but I have a


    boyfriend, and eady to freally cant


    Inise, fer eyebrow, “Maybe you’t break up soon?